The Economics of Wildlife in America

I don't understand it.

Why does the small number of hunters in the United States (about 11.5 million people, according to the Department of the Interior in 2017) have so much power and influence? There are many more people who want to protect wildlife than who want to kill it. And I'm not talking about hunting animals such as deer, elk, moose, rabbits and squirrels to put food on the table. I'm talking about hunters who get a thrill out of killing foxes, bobcats, cougars, bears and wolves, whether for 'fun' or for their skins.

This same study reported that the survey, "the 13th in a series conducted nearly every five years since 1955, shows that the most substantial increases in participation involve wildlife-watching—observing and photographing wildlife. The report indicates these activities surged 20 percent from 2011 to 2016, from 71.8 million to 86 million participants during that time. Expenditures by wildlife watchers also rose sharply—28 percent—between 2011 and 2016, from $59.1 billion to $75.9 billion. Around-the-home wildlife-watching increased 18 percent from 2011, from 68.6 million in 2011 to 81.1 million participants in 2016. More modest gains were made for away-from-home wildlife watchers: 5 percent increase from 2011 to 2016, from 22.5 million to 23 million participants." (https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/new-5-year-report-shows-1016-million-americans-participated-hunting-fishing-wildlife)

So if these figures as reported by the US Fish and Wildlife Service are true, I again ask, why do hunters and their lobbies have such an inordinate amount of influence over polices that affect wildlife? If wildlife watching generates nearly $76 billion dollars, and hunting generates only $25.6 billion, this means that watching wildlife contributes three times as much to the economy as does hunting. 

Last month I spent a week on a photography trip to Yellowstone National Park. My group was there to photograph wildlife, and of course, we all hoped to see some wolves (we didn't). We spent three nights in the small gateway town of Gardiner, Montana, just outside the park's north entrance. I have never seen so few people in the park in the four times I have visited in the winter. Many businesses were closed for the winter -- more than during previous winters. Several had closed up shop for good. 

We concluded that the ongoing killing of some of Yellowstone's most well known, and most visible, wolves is having a detrimental impact on tourism. Most visitors to the park want to see wolves. As the chance of seeing wolves diminishes with their decreasing numbers, I predict that fewer people will choose to visit the park, particularly during the winter slow season.

Perhaps it is time to reconsider the amount of influence hunters hold over the country's state wildlife agencies, as well as over federal decisions involving wilderness and wildlife. Perhaps it it past time to listen to the tens of millions of Americans and visitors who want to spend their time and money to enjoy non-consumptive uses of these national treasures. A living animal such as a grizzly or wolf can thrill thousands of people over the years. A dead bear or wolf brings pleasure to but a single person. 

Something is seriously wrong with this picture.