Locals tout hunting heritage, conservation

Many fail to realize the integral role hunters play in wildlife preservation, a group of hunting enthusiasts were told Saturday.
In fact, the National Wild Turkey Federation is the most effective conservation organization around, claimed Don Erbert, president of the First Upland Pioneers Chapter of the NWTF.
Erbert spoke Saturday at the local chapter’s annual NWTF banquet.
He and fellow First Uplands Pioneer Chapter member Steve Barlow explained how hunters tie into preservation programs.
Roughly 80 percent of the funding for wildlife habitat comes from Pittman-Robertson dollars, Barlow explained. Pittman-Robertson funds are generated from a federal tax on gun and ammunition sales — which mainly comes from hunters. The other 20 percent of the habitat funding comes from revenue generated by hunting license sales.
“That means nearly 100 percent of the habitat funding comes from hunters,” Barlow said.
Since its formation in 1973, NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, spending more than $412 million to conserve more than 17.25 million acres of habitat.
Likewise, Iola’s First Upland Pioneers Chapter — the first of its kind in the nation — is focused on other upland wildlife, such as quail.
“You won’t see that kind of investment from groups like PETA,” Erbert said.
Barlow spoke about the state of hunting nationwide.
While Pittman-Robertson dollars are up this year — reflected by a surge in guns and ammunition sales — the number of hunters is beginning to dwindle.
“It’s especially important that we draw in young hunters, to teach them about our hunting heritage,” Barlow said.
The First Uplands chapter has spearheaded recent activities, such as archery lessons at USD 257, a youth shoot near Carlyle, and a special women’s hunting course planned for September near Le Roy.
Silent and live auctions and raffles followed a meal prepared by Party Girls. A special guest for Saturday’s festivities was Rod Owen of Blue Springs, Mo., a featured member of the popular “Drury Outdoors” video series. He spoke with attendees and signed autographs.