Contrary to reputation, the truth is often complicated.
Take, for instance, the prevailing generalization toward a decline in hunting and fishing activity in the U.S. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report released last December — “Trends in Fishing and Hunting 1991-2006: A focus on Fishing and Hunting by Species” — argues that while the decline in popularity is often heard, it’s not entirely true.
Sure, trends show a significant overall drop-off in participation since the high-water mark of 1991, but there are areas of great stability. The numbers of duck hunters and deer hunters have remained steady, for example. Turkey hunting is on the rise. And while fishing participation has dropped for nearly all species in freshwater and saltwater, the declining number of anglers have increased their average days of fishing so that the overall effort has remained stable.
The vexing portion of the report arrives in the data showing fewer newcomers to the outdoor tradition. Most notably, the entry-level disciplines of rabbit and squirrel hunting have lost half their participants since 1991, indicating recruitment of new hunters is on the wane. The data is particularly relevant as it applies to current affairs in Colorado on two fronts. First is the opening of turkey season Saturday. The increasing popularity in turkey hunting is significant at a time when outdoor recreation participation is diminishing.
“It’s going to take a little while to determine what we can use from that data from a programmatic standpoint,” said Jim Bulger, hunter outreach coordinator for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. “Is there something there we can apply to other hunting, or is it just so novel that it’s a stand-alone thing? Is there an ability to find that same type of attraction by marketing it properly or teaching it properly to carry over to other types of hunting?”
The questions are difficult to answer, but it’s not unthinkable that a correlation exists between an aging U.S. population and the relatively sedentary style of hunting used to harvest turkeys. As with some styles of fishing (an activity also favored by the elderly), sitting still is considered good technique. Elk hunting it is not.
So it stands to reason that some of the decline in other styles of hunting (and fishing) is being transferred rather than lost. Still, that doesn’t address the “entry” issue. For that, we point to current affair number two.
Tradition matters to sportsmen, which may be the most pressing reason so many are up in arms over the current legislative proposal to merge Colorado’s Division of Wildlife with Colorado State Parks. Yet, ultimately, it may be the most important reason the agencies should unite.
It seems evident that State Parks has yet to maximize the small-game hunting and fishing potential that exists on the vast majority of the 42 parks currently in operation. Entry- level hunting and fishing programs that a merged entity could potentially provide might easily double as the next-generation enticement that provides the enthusiasm, education and financial boost that will eventually be needed to counter the declining number of sportsmen.
According to the USFWS report, older white males have been the dominant demographic group for fishing and hunting for decades. Youth and women have recently gotten more attention as potential sources of new participants. Squirrel hunting and catfishing have the highest proportions of young adult participants. Deer hunting and freshwater fishing for “anything” have the highest proportions of women participants.
The simple truth is that state parks are among the best places in Colorado to introduce all those things. The tradition ultimately follows.
Scott Willoughby: 303-954-1993 or swilloughby@denverpost.com
