GUN OWNERS CARE® ABOUT CONSERVATION
Hunters, target shooters and gun owners take pride in knowing they have helped conserve wildlife and wild lands for the benefit of everyone who chooses to enjoy them. Their efforts have even brought back some species from the brink of extinction. They’re the No. 1 contributors to wildlife conservation, providing nearly $9.4 million every day -- adding more than $3.4 billion every year -- to support state wildlife agencies and conservation. For more than 80 years, over $20 billion has funded on-the-ground projects in every state, protecting threatened habitat and wildlife.
FACT: Hunters and anglers provide more than 75% of the annual funds for many of the 50 state conservation agencies. Sportsmen are the largest contributors to conservation, paying for programs that benefit all Americans and all wildlife.
THEN: 500,000
NOW: 32,000,000
WHITE-TAILED DEER
In 1900, less than half a million white-tailed deer remained in the nation. Today, conservation programs have returned the whitetail population to some 32 million.
Source: Quality Deer Management Association, 2013
THEN: FEW
NOW: 46,000,000
DUCKS/WATERFOWL
In 1901, few ducks remained. Today, there are more than 46 million ducks populating the United States and Canada.
Source: USFWS, 2013
THEN: 41,000
NOW: 1,000,000
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK
In 1907, only about 41,000 elk could be counted in the United States. Today, populations in 23 states total approximately 1 million.
Source: National Park Service, 2013
THEN: 100,000
NOW: 7,000,000
WILD TURKEYS
By the early 1900’s, civilization and habitat loss may have reduced the wild turkey population to under 100,000. Today, programs have restored the population to more than 7 million birds.
Source: National Wild Turkey Federation, 2013
THEN: 12,000
NOW: 1,100,000
PRONGHORN ANTELOPE
About 50 years ago, the total U.S. population of pronghorn was only about 12,000. Today, conservation programs have helped increase the population to more than one million.
Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife, 2011
