Outdoors & Conservation

Fewer Hunters = Less Conservation

By Dan Richardson, 1-12-06

The Cascadia Score Card blog has interested connect-the-dots editorial on the decline of hunting and fishing in Oregon (and nationally), stories in The Oregonian and some magazines, and what this means for the future of conservation. One dilemma: Progressive, liberal folks see hunting and fishing as "retrograde," but hunters and fishermen pay high special taxes which fund conservation efforts. Traditionally more liberal outdoorsfolks — hikers, birdwatchers — pay bupkis (those damn Northwest Forest passes notwithstanding)...and by turning their nose up at "Red-Staters" who hunt and fish, may be adding to the problem.

(Speaking of which, The Atlantic Monthly's current issue argues that the whole Red State-Blue State divide is something of a myth, conjured up by politicians and a small core of die-hard culture warriors on either side.)

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