In the past few issues we have mentioned our observation concerning
wildlife watching and how it is economically outpacing hunting and
trapping by a substantial rate. We observed the economic ascendancy of
the population that enjoys non-consumptive wildlife recreational
activities at the same time as hunting and trapping numbers and
percentages are plummeting (but not fast enough to satisfy us). We would
like to see them go to zero tomorrow (or by Monday at the latest.) We
also noted with caution the Fish and Game agencies’ role in trying to
get a slice of the wildlife watching pie that looms bigger than the few
crumbs the hunters manage to pass on to their kindred spirits in the
agencies.
In mid-October, we’ll be getting a closer look at the picture. We’ll
be attending the Watchable Wildlife conference in Virginia Beach from
October 12-14, 2005
In attendance at the conference will be numerous state and federal
agencies, as well as some local officeholders and private business
owners who are or would like to participate economically in this new
area. Hopefully, we’ll also find some kindred spirits among the
attendees to pursue our goal of having a Wildlife Watching economy
replace hunting as the foundation for wildlife management.
