Dan Geddings: The story of wildlife conservation

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Hunters and fishermen have led the way in wildlife conservation. Outdoorsmen have devoted the time and money toward managing America's natural resources. Our dollars and habitat work have made a difference in natural ecosystems. Game animals and landscapes have benefited from our efforts, and other non-game wildlife has also thrived as a result.

Early on, President Theodore Roosevelt, who was an avid hunter, led the charge to create wildlife programs, preserve land and establish national parks. Roosevelt wrote about his hunting adventures and personal conservation ethic.

Aldo Leopold, the author of "A Sand County Almanac," detailed wildlife management philosophies in his writings and described a "land ethic" that changed attitudes about our natural resources and jump started a national conservation movement.

In 1937, the Pittman-Robertson Act was established. It placed a federal excise tax on ammunition and sporting firearms. The act provides funds for each state to manage wildlife and their habitats. The act has been amended several times and has generated more than $12 billion for conservation. The Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, also known as the "duck stamp," has generated more than $800 million for the purchase and lease of wetland habitats since 1934. Duck hunters are required to have a valid stamp in their possession, but anyone can buy the stamp.

The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act was passed in 1950. Commonly known as the Dingell-Johnson Act, it provides financial assistance for state fish restoration and management plans and projects.

These programs have not been forced on outdoorsmen but championed by them. Hunters and fishermen have worked to have these acts passed into law for the good of the resource. Non-hunters have also benefited from the programs by enjoying pastimes such as bird watching, nature photography, hiking and other outdoor pursuits. State wildlife management programs and law enforcement efforts are funded through license sales and taxes.

In South Carolina, wild turkeys were trapped in the Lowcountry and relocated to suitable habitats throughout the state. It has been a tremendous conservation success story. Whitetail deer were restocked in the Upstate and are now our premier big game animal. Our Department of Natural Resources, funded primarily by sportsmen's dollars, has done outstanding work for all the wildlife in our state.

Private, nonprofit organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, Quality Deer Management Association and the National Wild Turkey Federation have raised millions of dollars from sportsmen for wildlife management activities, conservation programs and hunting advocacy. Dollars donated from members of these groups fund conservation work in their own neighborhoods and throughout North America.

Hunt clubs, supported by their membership, manage properties to benefit wildlife and fisheries. Food plots, prescribed burns and timber management activities are done to enhance wildlife habitat on private lands, sometimes at great cost to the owner. Pond owners establish brush piles, fertilize and lime the water, and manage fish populations.

We pay the bills and try to put back more than we take.

Email Dan Geddings at cdgeddings@gmail.com.