By Ken M. Blomberg

Years ago, at a social gathering, I had the opportunity to discuss this weekly outdoor column with an educated lady who told me she often read my stories, unless they pertained to hunting. Those she skipped.

As it turned out, she was a big fan of birdwatching, hiking and the silent sports. She wasn’t a card carrying anti-hunter, but did not see the need to kill wildlife for sport. I respectfully let her voice her point of view to those listening. When she finally took a breath of air, I asked her a few questions. The room was full of teachers and their husbands and wives – a good cross-section of hunters and nonhunters. My wife, a nonhunter, was one of the teachers.

“Do you enjoy exploring publicly-owned wildlife areas?” I asked. “When you hike, birdwatch or cross-country ski there, do you ever wonder who pays the agencies that purchase and manage those properties?”

I went on to explain – in not so many words – that back in 1937, the Wildlife Restoration Act was signed by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was championed by organized sportsmen and women, state fish and game agencies, and the hunting industry to tax firearms and ammunition, with the proceeds going specifically to wildlife conservation.

To read the rest of the story, pick up a copy of the Portage County Gazette at one of the many newsstands in the area, including gas stations and grocery stores. Or subscribe at www.shopmmclocal.com/product/portage-county-gazette to have weekly copies delivered by mail.

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