Earth Day 2021 – Restore Our Earth
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://www.biggame.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/untamed.png[/author_image] [author_info]Larry Weishuhn is a widely known writer, speaker, raconteur and world hunter. He co-hosts “DSC’s Trailing the Hunter’s Moon” on Pursuit Channel, CarbonTV and the show’s YouTube Channel.[/author_info] [/author]
Looking for someone who truly cares about wildlife? Easy….look for someone who hunts or fishes. Be it game or non-game, terrestrial, aerial or water-bound, there is no greater true lover of wildlife, habitat and the desire to restore our Earth so it supports not only wildlife of all types but also vegetation, clean non-polluted water and air. Nor will you find anyone who goes to greater lengths and depths to financially support wildlife and their habitat than those who hunt and fish. They truly care about the animals and where they live. They understand humans too are a part of the environment and ecosystem!
Doubt it? Who was it that asked to be required to have a license to hunt, fish, even trap other than the sportsmen and sportswomen? Who was it that asked to have taxes levied on hunting-related items, such as firearms and ammunition, other than hunters, or, a tax on fishing equipment in the case of those who fish? Have you ever heard a non-hunter ask to be taxed to enjoy the outdoors?
Who has supported not only game animal research but bore the weight of paying to ensure non-game species, including those threatened because of habitat loss and changes in expanding human habitation habitats, have a place to live, breed and perpetuate their own kind? Hunters and anglers have borne the cost of not only the management of animals and fish they pursue and consume but also those which are threatened because of land changes and urban sprawl.
Here in the States were it not for the money provided through the Dingell-Johnson Act, in terms of aquatic species, and the Pittman-Robertson Act, in terms of terrestrial wildlife, there would be little wildlife in the U.S.
Conservation is the wise use of animals and their habitat. And those who pursue them are the most knowledgeable, the greatest and best managers. In nature, there is little use for emotions.
“Life on earth depends upon the death of another organism” either directly or indirectly. Those who only eat vegetation, including seeds and fruits, kill no less than the carnivores that feed upon those which primarily eat vegetation. Beans, peas and the like are embryos, which have not yet truly experienced life. When a cow, deer or antelope eats vegetative matter, it kills what it eats. Birds that eat insects and seeds, in fact, all herbivores that consume vegetative matter, kill no less than the tiger, lion, wolf and/or human carnivores. These are simply life facts. All humans if they live on Earth are directly and indirectly responsible for killing other things so they may continue to live! Pure and simple.
As a wildlife biologist working with land managers and hunters, we strive to improve wildlife habitat to “restore the Earth.” We make certain that game species do not over-populate and destroy their habitat, which would then destroy habitat for all wildlife. Populations can be restored quickly; habitat restoration takes lifetimes to restore itself!
As hunter/conservationists we continually strive to improve wildlife habitat, particularly in terms of a variety of plants. Variety in vegetation greatly improves the habitat for ALL wildlife, from bugs and butterflies to non-game and game birds to game animals. When we improve wildlife habitat for game species all wildlife benefits, and especially and more importantly the habitat benefits, which ensures the perpetuation of plants and animals, including humans.
We can never forget the human species too is a part of the ecosystem and the environment. And we humans can do much to improve things for plants and animals. Through those who hunt and fish, we ensure all species will survive, as will their habitat.
It is time for us not only to “restore our Earth” as is touted through Earth Day 2021 but to “restore and improve our Earth!”
Want to make a difference for wildlife and wildlife habitat? Buy a hunting license, a fishing license, buy hunting and fishing equipment, join organizations such as DSC that support wildlife management based on facts and proven techniques that have worked through the ages, and avoid those that suggest we rely only on emotion. For if we do, we will not “Restore Our Earth,” we will destroy what we hold dear!
Regardless of what is going on in the world, there are always small things, of beauty and splendor, for us to enjoy, admire and appreciate!
Watch “DSC’s Trailing the Hunter’s Moon” TV show on our YouTube Channel, or on CarbonTV.
If you haven’t heard any of the “Campfires with Larry Weishuhn” podcasts, visit blubrry.com/untamedheritage/ to listen to one of our dozens of podcast episodes.
