It’s that time of year when sporting goods store bulletin boards and social media newsfeeds get plastered with fliers and posts inviting you to attend local fundraising banquets for various conservation groups. Here are five reasons why you should go:
1. It’s fun
Make a date night out of it or grab some friends and share a table. Get in on the raffles and giveaways. Eat, drink, be merry, and talk about hunting. Doesn’t get much better than that!
2. You’ll learn something new
Whether it’s the latest news on the organization’s conservation efforts, inspiration from a special speaker, or a hunting tip from a fellow attendee, you’re guaranteed to leave feeling full—and not just because you had a good meal.
3. It’s an opportunity to meet fellow outdoors men and women
I’ve found that people who get outside and enjoy things like hunting, fishing, and just being in nature are some of the best-natured people around—and they tend to have a lot of great stories to share. It serves us all well to get out there and meet like-minded individuals.
4. It’s affirming
“Hunters are conservationists” becomes a truer mantra when our conservation efforts stretch beyond buying annual hunting licenses. Intentionally supporting worthy conservation groups with both our presence and our pocketbook helps to keep the animals and outdoor traditions we love alive.
5. These organizations do good work
Here are just a few noteworthy examples of what some of these non-profits have accomplished in 2018:
- Safari Club International Foundation gave $150,000 toward anti-poaching efforts in Africa, as well as continued work with organizations such as American Wilderness Leadership School to influence thousands of youth; remained a strong advocate for hunters and their rights to hunt; and provided encouragement and opportunities for disabled veterans.
- The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation supplied over $700,000 to ongoing elk research studies; advocated Congress and state legislatures for issues such as forest management reform and delisting of wolves and grizzlies; and improved 134,699 acres of wildlife habitat in 27 states.
- Pheasants Forever completed 13,608 wildlife habitat projects, helped improve over a million acres of wildlife habitat, and Pheasants Forever joined a national hunter recruitment, retention and reactivation movement in addition to being a positive influence for youth at hundreds of events across the country.
- Whitetails Unlimited awarded over $109,000 to 4-H Shooting Sports Programs, which have an annual enrollment of more than 300,000 youth.
The list goes on.
If you are a hunter that values the land, game, and opportunities you’ve been privileged to enjoy, please remember to support the people and organizations that protect those privileges. And go to that banquet. You’ll be glad you did.