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Can hunting a species actually save it? It’s a thought provoking question to the non hunting community (like 95% of America), a question that on face value would likely lead one to the conclusion that killing an animal would be counter productive if the goal is to save it. However,  hunters know that if an animal has a monetary value, it remains worth protecting and worth saving. Take the value away and the wildlife loses every time. Where you once saw thriving herds of native game, you will find clear cut pastures for cattle or agriculture.

Sporting Classics  Chris Dorsey’s career in the hunting space is as storied as it is varied. From hosting and producing various outdoor television entities, to writing books and articles and public speaking on behalf of our community. After reading his recent Forbes article: Recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ruling Sparks Debate Over Elephant Hunting, I knew I wanted to explore things further with Chris. During this episode we hit on quite a few issues but the underlying theme is the reality that the USFWS has abandoned it’s core foundation that strictly adheres to the model of sustainable use hunting and conservation. Their shift in focus thus delivering a substantial blow to the sustainable take of African elephants by American hunters.

Other important notes for the discussion include:

  • Recent Saskatchewan bear hunt
  • Should hunting NGO’s like DU, RMEF etc be eligible for Pittman Robertson dollars?
  • Africa’s elephant population in comparison to the number of elephants taken annually by hunters
  • What did the USFWS ruling affect?
  • If the USFWS (and the politicians that oversee it) actually cared about elephants wouldn’t they try to influence the countries most responsible for the black market trade of poached elephant parts?
  • What happens to an elephant once a hunter shoots it? Where does the meat go? Who benefits?
  • Botswana’s President takes shot at German policy regarding elephants
  • human/wildlife conflict
  • If it can happen in Colorado, it can happen anywhere.
  • Where do we go from here as a hunting community? What should our message be and how do we deliver it to the public?

(Photo Courtesy Sporting Classics)