Natural Resources

1
Natural Resources

• History of Hunting
• Part 1 Section 1 AHE

2
History of Hunting

• Many game species were decimated because they
  were needed for food.
• Other species destroyed out of fear and they
  competed with humans.
• By 1900s the last large concentrations of
  grizzlies and wolves were being eliminated in the
  west
• The federal government was attempting to
  exterminate coyotes, cougars, prairie dogs, and
  other varmints for domestic, commercial, and
  political reasons.

3
History of Hunting

• President Theodore Roosevelt, and his chief
  forester Gillord Pinchot led a fight to set aside
  land for refuges. (Created 51 in 1904)
• He also promoted the idea of harvesting only
  surplus game animals for sport and food.
• Marked the beginning of recreational hunting and
  the end of the market shooting.

4
History of Hunting

• Throughout history hunting has been a tradition.
• Until recent times hunting was done out of
  necessity for food
• The Lacey Act of 1900 and the migratory bird act
  of 1918 were both landmarks in the new
  conservation movement
• Lacey Act stopped illegal game transportation
  across state lines

5
History of Hunting

• The conservation era was so successful that it
  lead to an overprotection era.
• 1900 3,000 mule deer
• 1906 1,000,000 acre sanctuary
• In 25 years government hunters killed 781
  mountain lions, 5,000 coyotes and exterminated
  the gray wolf.
• Deer pop. Rose to 100,000
• 1930 only 30,000 left and fell to 15,000 a couple
  yrs later

6
History of Hunting

• Aldo Leopold was regarded as the father of
  wildlife management in the late 20s and early
  30s.
• He led the move to manage wild lands and wild
  creatures not just protect them.
• What is conservation?
• The wise use of natural resources whereas
  preservation is the non use of natural resources.

7
History of Hunting

• Pittman Robertson Act
• In 1937 a federal law took on monumental task.
• To restore wildlife populations throughout
  America.
• Pittman-Robertson has probably been responsible
  for the restoration of more wildlife species than
  any other legislation in the history of wildlife
  conservation.

8
History of Hunting

• The act was financed by hunters who paid a 10
  (later 11) tax on sporting arms and ammunition.
• In 1970 a 10 tax on guns and in 1972 and 11 tax
  on archery equipment.

9
History of Hunting

• The Law
• Federal firearms and ammunition taxes to the
  states in a matching basis up to 3 federal for
  every 1 state.
• Prohibited the use of these federal revenues for
  any purpose other than wildlife conservation.
• Prohibited states from using hunters license fees
  for any purpose other than supporting the state
  fish and game agency.

10
History of Hunting

• Three types of state projects that are eligible
  for funds.
• Purchase of land for wildlife rehabilitation
• Development of land to make it more suitable for
  mammals and birds.
• Research to solve problems that stand in the way
  of wildlife restoration.

11
History of Hunting

• In the first half century the program provided
  more than 1.5 billion to states for wildlife
  restoration.
• States have added 500 million in matching funds.
• The money has
• Enabled states to purchase about four million
  acres for wildlife habitat and
• Supported hunter education programs to reduce
  firearms accidents and teach outdoor ethics.