Born in the Hands of Hunters The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation

What is the ‘Model’?

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation

What are the Model’s Seven Pillars?

1. Wildlife as a Public Trust Resource

2. Elimination of Markets for Game

3. Allocation of Wildlife by Law

4. Kill Only for Legitimate Purpose

5. Wildlife as International Resource

6. Science-based Wildlife Policy

7. Democracy of Hunting

What is Wildlife as a Public Trust Resource?

wildlife is owned by no one and is held by government in trust for the benefit of present and future generations

What is Elimination of Markets for Game?

federal, provincial, and state laws that greatly restricted the sale of meat and parts from these animals

What is Allocation of Wildlife by Law?

Access and use of wildlife is therefore regulated through the public law or rule-making process

• what species can be hunted, what species cannot be harmed due to their imperiled status, and other considerations relative to public use of or impact on wildlife

What is Kill Only for Legitimate Purpose?

Killing wildlife for frivolous reasons has long been deemed unacceptable; harvest of wildlife must have a practical purpose if it is to remain acceptable in society (i.e. food, fur, self-defense, and property protection)

What is Wildlife as International Resource?

international management of terrestrial wildlife resources; because some wildlife species migrate across borders, a nation’s management policies—or lack thereof—can have consequences for wildlife living in neighboring countries

What is Science-based Wildlife Policy?

Science as a basis for informed decision-making in wildlife management has been recognized as critical to wildlife conservation

What is Democracy of Hunting?

society would benefit if all people had an access to hunting opportunities; opportunity to hunt is NOT restricted to those who have special status such as land ownership, wealth, or other privileges