Shawn Swearingen for SPLIT REED
Cover Photo: Phil Kahnke
With the sounds of northbound geese overhead, while re-reading the land and wildlife conservation gold standard that has impacted the resource management of the past 80 years, there is a feeling that Mr. Leopold would still need to write the same book today. A long-term downward trend in hunter numbers as reported by the US Fish & Wildlife Service has left only 11.5 million of us flanneled fellows in 2016. A culmination of environmental and climate shifts coupled with the loss of habitat in critical areas has left waterfowlers with a sense of being short-changed. The memories of flights that once were and the cold north winds of winter that would drive the birds south to the decoy spreads only seem exacerbated by the piles and smiles of those fortunate ones on social media. With that said there are silver linings for hunters to look forward to in the seasons to come.
The Sand County Almanac remains a quintessential reading for any future wildlife biologist, forest manager, or even landowner. The book written by Aldo Leopold spoke for the conservationists of the time and was a culmination of his life work that was cut short when he died fighting grass fires on his neighbor’s property. Through his scientific papers and writings, he became best known for his conservation “land ethic,” which calls for an ethical and caring relationship between people and nature. There have been some success stories since its publication in 1949 such as the management and resurgence of whitetail deer, wild turkeys, and his beloved Canada geese. Most duck species have also rebounded based on the long-term averages. Reviewing the 2019 waterfowl survey (the count for 2020 was canceled for the first time ever thanks to Covid-19) you see that with the exception of Pintails and Scaup, that species are trending up. There is a precaution to be had though especially by our fellow wing shooters in the Atlantic Flyway. Mallard and Canada goose nesting numbers have declined, which has resulted not just in reduced limits but also a decrease in hunting days.
Droughts in the prairie pothole region (or even too much rain flooding nests) the loss of marshes along the Gulf Coast and the Chesapeake Bay are being fought as much as they can be by groups like Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Raising funds for land acquisitions and donations to states and federal government for management have done much to create safe havens for nesting, migrators as well as increase hunter opportunities. These groups are also advocating for hunters and birds alike before the decision-makers in Washington, DC, and your state’s house of representatives. However, if the recent federal actions of seeking to close long-standing public access in Alaska has taught us anything, is that diligence is warranted and the voice of individual hunters needs to be heard.
When it comes to hunter numbers, a melancholy sentiment of the separation from a man with land and its resources has done nothing but grow exponentially since 1949. Mr. Leopold wrote, “They live on the land but not by the land.” The numbers of those living in cities and urban centers have spurred this separation in mentality and practice. The wild game cooking/field to fork-type movement over the past decade have helped reverse this trend; however, it will take more effort by us and wildlife agencies to shepherd it forward. Events and reactions to the past year of the pandemic have aided an increase in hunting license purchases too. This is evidenced by any one of us who thought getting to the WMA parking lots an hour and a half before shooting time was early enough, only to discover 2-3 more vehicles there than usual. Despite the initial frustration of competing for those potholes and sloughs (and remembering to wake up earlier next time), go over to connect with them before everyone goes their separate ways. Not just for safety and awareness but also for welcoming them to the world of waterfowling and experiencing what fewer people step outside their door to do.
Who knows who will end up writing the next Sand County Almanac of our generation. In the meantime, it should be reviewed by all of us, hunters, vegans, and conservation decision-makers alike. There is more common ground than we realize and some compromises that can be made for everyone and to waterfowl’s benefit. Grab a used copy from the local shop or order it to be dropped off. Bend some pages while in the turkey woods or headed to summer vacation. When you are done hand it over to a grizzled veteran hunter or the friend who has always asked why you hunt.
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