The United States is a nation of hunters. According to a survey conducted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 12.5 million people enjoyed hunting in the United States in 2006, spending a total of $22.9 billion on their hunting expeditions. Big game was the most popular hunting choice in the country, and 10.7 million people enjoyed hunting elk, moose and deer in 2006. Clearly, hunting is a major tourist draw in the United States and Americans spend small fortunes on hunting expeditions every year.
Hunting is very tightly regulated in the US. The Fish and Wildlife Service closely monitors license allocation to ensure healthy populations of different species is maintained. Fines for illegal hunting are often very hefty in an attempt to bolster conservation efforts.
The United States is a veritable hunter’s paradise, offering everything from feral pigs in the south-east to deer and moose in the Pacific north-west. The country’s vast wilderness harbors hundreds of hunting species, and each state welcomes hunters with open arms. Hunting is especially popular in the north-west central regions of Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota and Kansas, where the average adult participation rate hovers around 12 percent (compared with 5 percent average for the whole country). This region is famous for its big game hunting, with plenty of elk, deer and moose found across its great outdoors.
Various species of antelope are the favorite game animals in the United States, and deer hunting occupies a central place in many American traditions. Moose hunting is popular as well, particularly in the mountain regions of the north-west and the far north-eastern states of Maine and New Hampshire. Elk and deer species are found all across the country, though the mid-western states attract a lion’s share of hunters.
Hunting in America is big business. As per the US Fish and Wildlife Services, Americans spent nearly $12 billion on hunting related equipment alone. Access to guns is easy in the US, and hunting is a rite of passage among many communities.
Americans spent nearly $6 billion on hunting trips in 2006. People who may want to embark on a hunting holiday can often find cheaper deals and packages for hunting trips if you book your tickets through respectable travel outlets such as Dealchecker. These websites search through all available deals and find one that is perfect for your needs and budgets. Before you embark on your next hunting vacation, take the time to consult a site like Dealchecker. Also ensure that you maintain the sanctity of the wildlife reserve by limiting hunting to a minimum and avoiding littering in the parks and or wildlife preserves.
Hunting, of course, has to go hand in hand with conservation efforts. Hunting licenses should be limited to ensure stable animal populations. Strict and exemplary punishments should be meted out to those who violate licenses. The United States government has established many reserves and national parks to facilitate conservation of animal species. It also takes active measures to promote the propagation of threatened species.
Habitat destruction is one of the major threats to wild animal species. As such, any animal conservation efforts must take habitat conservation into consideration as well. It is crucial to ensure the health of our forests and to protect the wilderness from illegal encroachments and human development. Environmental threats must also be fought to promote animal and habitat conservation.
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