April 22, 2008

Hunting and Fishing Important on Earth Day

A hunter and fisherman argues that sportsmen have a critical role to play on Earth Day.

By Michael Cooley, President and CEO, The Sportsman Channel

In recent years, the green movement has made a wonderful splash in the cable industry with networks campaigning for a better Earth.  Green however, comes in many shades.  And given our industry's special ability to connect with virtually every demographic sector, we have a great responsibility to educate the public on all aspects of conservation.
 
The Sportsman Channel’s shade of green is wildlife management.  Our programming continues to educate and support hunters and anglers to conserve land for all species of animals to flourish and ultimately balance the ecosystem.  If sportsmen stopped hunting white-tail deer for example, overpopulation would lead to a proliferation of disease and famine.  When one species of animal is overpopulated, that species will starve, vegetation will suffer, and thus the entire habitat is changed. By managing wildlife we can stop this from happening.
 
Historically, avid sportsmen played a crucial role in shaping our laws to sustain the environment. Theodore Roosevelt who stated, “wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will,” formed the Boone and Crockett organization in 1887 to conserve America’s wildlife.  Gaylord Nelson, a former Wisconsin governor, founded Earth Day in 1970.
 
Hunting and fishing are often misunderstood by the non-sportsman. For a true sportsman, hunting and fishing balance the ecosystem through “harvesting” from the organic resources the Earth provides.  In fact, 80% of wildlife conservation funds come from 47 million hunters and anglers across the U.S. 
 
The Sportsman Channel, based in Nelson’s home state of Wisconsin, is dedicated to hunting and fishing programming and encourages our audience to be responsible sportsmen to ensure the same traditions our ancestors passed to us.   
 
On Earth Day, I encourage our industry, sportsmen and non-sportsmen alike, to take part in the longstanding tradition and responsibilities of “harvesting.” Earth will benefit from your contributions through this American pastime.