Myth Busters
An elaborate narrative has been created over the years to justify the status quo in wildlife management in the U.S. Many claims are made that are either partially inaccurate or simply untrue. In this section we debunk some of the more commonly made assertions.
- What is Conservation?: Wildlife conservation refers to the practice of protecting wild animals and their habitats, now and in the future. It includes a wide range of practices, including measures to protect and restore habitats, prevent poaching and excessive take, eliminate nonnative species, captive breeding and reintroduction programs, education and research.
- Is Hunting Conservation?: Hunting advocates often say that hunting is conservation. But is it true? Certainly not on a literal level. Killing animals is obviously not the same as saving them.
- Who Really Pays for Wildlife Conservation?: It is often said that hunters and anglers “pay” for wildlife conservation. There are several problems with this argument. First, it only looks at state wildlife agencies. Wildlife conservation is also financed and implemented by many other entities, notably the federal government, whose contribution alone far outweighs the work done by state wildlife agencies.
- Most Pittman-Robertson Act funds are generated by non-hunters: It is often said that hunters pay for wildlife conservation in part through their purchase of items that are taxable under the Pittman-Robertson Act. In fact, although excise taxes paid on guns and ammunition account for the bulk of Pittman-Robertson Act revenues (93-94 percent of the total), most guns and ammunition in the U.S. are not purchased for use in hunting.
- North American Model of Wildlife Conservation: a Reality Check: Depending on who you talk to, the NAM is either a historical account of how wildlife has been conserved in North America, a prescriptive model for how wildlife should be conserved in the future, or both. The problem is that NAM falls short as either. The Public Trust Doctrine provides a more appropriate guide for wildlife conservation in the 21st century.
- Do Carnivores Need To Be Managed?: Wildlife managers often say that carnivores like wolves, coyotes, and mountain lions need to be hunted to keep their numbers in check. But is this true? No.
- Do States Really Have Primary Jurisdiction Over Wildlife?: It is often said by state and federal officials alike that “states manage wildlife and federal land agencies only manage wildlife habitat,” implying that federal agencies do not have the authority to manage wildlife on federal lands if it conflicts with state wildlife policies. This is not true.
- Wildlife Management Speak: Jargon and Euphemisms: Wildlife management agencies often use euphemisms to describe how they shoot, trap, and otherwise kill animals.
- Our Position on Hunting: We are pro-science, pro-democracy, pro-justice and in favor of treating wild animals with compassion and respect, which is why we believe the system of wildlife management in the U.S. must be changed.
