The Benefits of Hunting in California
California ranks 3rd in the nation with over 176 million public land acres of fish and wildlife habitat, providing hunters, anglers and enthusiasts the opportunity to get outdoors and experience nature. Hunting is a great way to spend time outside with friends, and provide healthy, environmentally-friendly food for your family. Hunters have always had a strong tradition of conservation, and hunting also helps preserve land so that animals and ecosystems can thrive.
Hunter education training is required for all hunters who do not currently hold a hunting license, who do not have a hunter education certificate of completion or have not held a hunting license in California or another state for the previous two years. Take note, starting July 1, 2019 all hunters are required to use non-lead ammunition.
Get ready to explore the great outdoors, breathe fresh air, reduce your carbon footprint, bond with family and friends and experience the many benefits of hunting.
Here are seven benefits of hunting in California.
1. Conservation
In the early 1900s, Americans saw the extinction of the passenger pigeon and the near extinction of the bison and many other animals. Realizing the impact that humans could have on animals, many hunters began to support programs that maintained species populations and protected wildlife habitat in order to ensure that there would be animals to hunt in the future. One example is the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, which required a license for migratory bird hunting. This program was created in the 1930s upon the urging from waterfowl hunters to protect wetlands vital to the waterfowl, and has since raised $950 million to restore six million acres of bird habitat.
2. Good for the Economy
Hunting is more than just an American pastime; it’s great for the economy too. Studies have shown that hunting creates more than 700,000 jobs nationwide and generates $22.1 billion in the national economy. Hunting has also been shown to add $1.4 billion to state tax revenues and $1.7 billion in federal income taxes. On a smaller scale, hunting is a cost-effective option for the family on a budget. When compared to store bought meat, hunting meat can be less expensive and healthier, too.
3. Population Control
Due to factors like overdevelopment, humans have wiped out many animals higher up the food chain. Without natural predators, some prey animal populations are at capacity, which can lead to serious problems. Hunting is a wildlife management tool that assists in monitoring the overpopulation of predator species. This helps to cull species that are reproducing beyond the habitat’s capacity.
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4. Preservation of Public Lands
Hunting was one of the primary drivers behind the creation of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which has set aside millions of acres of land for the conservation of wildlife and their habitat. Across the country, over 20 million acres of land have been preserved as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. In California alone there are three-dozen National Wildlife Refuges.
5. Healthy Food
Hunting is the ultimate natural food source. If you want to know that your meat was harvested in an ethical manner, hunting is one way to do so. When you hunt, you know the animal you will eat was free-range and has never known life in a factory farm. Additionally, game meat is generally low in fat. Deer, elk, turkey, ducks and rabbits are all lean meats and can provide a healthy meal for your family.
6. Keep Your Carbon Footprint Low
There are environmental benefits to hunting as well. When you obtain wild protein sources, you can rest assured that the meat you eat comes with a low carbon footprint. This is the result of lowered levels of carbon emissions. Legal, regulated hunting is a sustainable way to help lower your carbon footprint and contribute to wildlife conservation funding. When conscientious hunting supports conservation efforts and population control strategy, healthier ecosystems can thrive.
7. Quality Time with Friends and Family
Most hunters and fishermen love hunting not just because they can provide their family with free-range and healthy meat, but because hunting allows them to spend quality outdoor time with their friends and family. Studies have even shown that hunters and fishermen receive social-emotional health benefits from spending time outside in nature. Hunting is great exercise and many hunters report therapeutic feelings from their time spent outdoors.
Where to Hunt in California: For more information on where to hunt deer, elk, wild pig and waterfowl, how to obtain the state licenses to do so, and hunter education programs, visit wildlife.ca.gov/hunting.