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HUNTER RECRUITMENT INCREASES
In recent months, new and interesting programs have begun to make their mark on the future of hunting. Consider the growth of the National Archery in the Schools Program in Kentucky. After only four years, 440 schools are involved. That’s 35 percent of all schools in Kentucky.

The program involves more than 1,100 instructors, and 220,000 students a year are shooting bows in Kentucky schools. Thirty-seven percent of those 440 schools now have after-school archery clubs, and those new clubs are actively promoting archery, self-esteem, and fun. As more public schools start this great program, watch for organized school archery teams to form and compete for regional and state championships, just as other sports teams do.

A year ago the National Wild Turkey Federation, partnering with the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, released state Hunter Replacement Ratios (a simple measure of the number of youngsters coming into hunting compared to the old-timers who died or dropped out). Most states showed ratios far less than the 1.0 needed to reach a break-even point in hunter numbers. These numbers strongly indicate that youngsters must be introduced to hunting at a young age in order to retain an interest in hunting. Otherwise, they will just turn to sports, computer games, or other diversions and never develop an interest in the outdoors. This reality led to a Families Afield campaign to get states to lower their minimum hunting age — 12 in many states — and make other changes that would encourage younger youths to take up hunting. In a short time, Families Afield has made an impact.

For example, Pennsylvania passed a law allowing boys and girls younger than 12 years of age to hunt if accompanied by a licensed adult. In Ohio, youngsters can now hunt while completing their hunter education certification if accompanied by a licensed mentor. The National Shooting Sports Foundation notes that some major hunting states still have family-restrictive hunting laws that prevent hunting growth. States on that list include Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and others. In fact, the states that are placed in the “family-restrictive” category have 50 percent of all the hunters in the country, and the hunter-replacement ratios in those states remain well below 1.0. Again, that means they are losing more hunters than they’re gaining. The good news is that some of those states, such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Utah, are in the process of lowering age restrictions. To learn more about this subject, go to www.wheretohunt.org.

DELTA NOW FLIES TO AFRICA
In the past few years, hunters flying to South Africa on South African Airways have noticed a drop in quality of service. On my last flight there, it was obvious that seat space was less than it once was, making the 17-hour flight rather uncomfortable. After many complaints, South African Airways has apparently retreated to its original 747 services, a blessing for bowhunters flying to Johannesburg. Now comes even better news: The Hunting Report recently announced that hunters now have another choice when flying to Africa. Delta is expecting to start daily Boeing 777 flights to Johannesburg, departing from Atlanta. Rising competition for customers going to Johannesburg may even result in lower fares for bowhunters heading to the Dark Continent.

CANADIAN GUN REGISTRATION PROVES COSTLY
When Canada first announced its gun registration program, many hunters cringed, knowing that the cost would be huge, the inconvenience large, and the results poor. But observers had no idea just how ridiculous this program would become. Latest reports show that the gun registry program in Canada will now cost taxpayers more than $2 billion. Some estimates go as high as $3 billion. Obviously this program is very expensive, and it has proven to be of little use in preventing crime. Considering the original suggested cost presented by the Liberal government of $2 million (do you think they have gone slightly over budget?), don’t be surprised if the Conservative party now in control cancels this dismal failure.

MOOSE NUMBERS GO UP AND DOWN
A research study in Vermont, funded in part by the Pope and Young Club, showed that moose numbers in that state rose from about 20 moose in 1960 to 2,500 in 1998. Vermont issued 30 hunting permits in 1993 and 215 in 2000. Not only are moose giving hunters more opportunities, but viewing and photography uses also have risen dramatically.

The longest running predator/prey study ever conducted (48 years) takes place every winter on Isle Royale, a 143,000-acre island in Lake Superior, where moose and wolves have coexisted since the late 1940′s. New data from Michigan Technology University shows that moose numbers on Isle Royale are down to 450, the lowest population in 50 years. Preferred moose foods have dwindled, while wolf numbers are holding at 30. Researchers are surprised that the expected decline in wolf numbers has not taken place, but they expect it to happen this year and when it does, habitat and moose should then recover.

PRIONS IN MEAT CAUSE CONCERN
Since our last issue went to press, the hunting world was jolted by the discovery of prions in the leg muscles of deer with chronic wasting disease (CWD). This finding makes some hunters understandably nervous. However, research I reported on in the March/April 2006 issue of Bowhunter strongly suggested that there is a barrier between humans and deer that makes human contamination unlikely. Given that finding, plus the fact that hunters in Colorado and Wyoming have consumed thousands of CWD-positive deer and elk for at least 30 years with no ill affects, means people eating wild meat have no reason to panic. Use care when butchering animals, and keep hunting.

For further information on the issues discussed, go to www.knowhunting.com.