The first bit of “good news” is that Westerners continue to care passionately about wildlife and public lands. Every year, Colorado College surveys voters in eight Western states to hear what they have to say about issues facing their states. This year the results were overwhelming: Westerners are increasingly concerned about threats to public lands and water, including wildfire, drought and public lands sell-off attempts. Full results can be found here.
Here are some topline findings:
76% oppose selling public lands to private companies for housing
89% want oil and gas companies to clean up after drilling instead of taxpayers
83% are concerned about fewer employees maintaining national public lands
85% say that issues involving public lands, waters and wildlife are important for deciding whether to support an elected official
Pennsylvania Tops the Nation in Deer Hunting
Some of the best deer hunting in the country can be found in Pennsylvania, according to a new report from the National Deer Association. The Keystone state has the most bucks per square mile, and is second for total antlered buck and antlerless deer harvests (trailing Texas). Officials credit hunters and the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s management for maintaining high harvest rates and a healthy herd.
“If you watch long-term data, it’s very clear. We have a lot of deer, and in much of the state, we have a stable to a growing deer herd. Our deer herds are very healthy, and if we shot a few more, it could even be healthier,” said Kip Adams, chief conservation officer of the National Deer Association (NDA) and a Pennsylvania deer hunter.
The National Wildlife Refuge System: A Conservation Success Story
When it comes to protecting wildlife and outdoor experiences Americans cherish, few conservation efforts have been more successful than the National Wildlife Refuge System. Spanning more than 850 million acres of lands and waters, refuges provide safe havens for thousands of species, including many that are threatened or endangered. Kristen Byrnes Floom, the National Wildlife Federation’s public lands attorney, traces the history of this system and why it’s so important to maintain.
In December, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initiated a review of the system to identify refuges that no longer align with the mission of the agency. NWF will be watching to make sure this review doesn’t compromise wildlife or hunting and fishing opportunities.
