The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation

Our approach is part of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which is the envy of almost every other country in the world and key to habitat and species conservation. Seven basic principles are involved:

1. Fish and wildlife are public resources. Throughout the U.S., wildlife is held in common ownership by the state for the benefit of all people.
2. Markets for trade in black bass and other wild sportfish is carefully restricted, removing a huge threat to sustaining those species.
3. States allow sustainable use of sport fish by law, not by market pressures, land ownership or special privilege. The public has input into how these resources are allocated.
4. The democracy of hunting is emphasized. In the European model, wildlife was allocated by land ownership and privilege. In North America, anyone in good standing can participate.
5. Hunters and anglers fund conservation, including wildlife species that are not harvested, by purchasing hunting and fishing licenses and paying excise taxes on recreational equipment.
6. Many fish and wildlife species are an international resource. Species, such as migratory fish, transcend boundaries requiring cooperative management.
7. Science is the proper tool for developing fisheries policy. This is a key concept of fish and wildlife management emphasized by Theodore Roosevelt, Aldo Leopold and many other conservation leaders.