Real hunters, especially those that need the meat [I know more than a few who do], realize you have to protect and preserve habitat. They don’t want land taken out of the range for development, and they can’t afford to buy land to preserve it, so they support the efforts of environmental groups.

New York State has a problem of a serious decrease in hunters, which has led to a major increase in herd populations. When you eliminate all of the natural predators, you have to fill that role. In some places people are worried about a collapse of the deer population because of starvation, and the deer are already moving into suburban neighborhoods in search of food.

Currently the NRA membership of around 4 million is less than 3% of gun owners, but the media presents them as the most important voice on the subject.

Oh, the times! Ironically, there are many serious hunters who are members of Sierra Club… put aside your stereotypes; many hunters are also ardent conservationists for what I trust are obvious reasons… and Sierra Club suffers periodic takeover attempts by groups of “members” who join for the purpose of the takeover. So far, SC has fended them off, but if it can happen to the NRA it can happen to any org, similar or not. Beware; even your favorite do-good org is vulnerable.