California government wants to get more people hunting

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Thursday a new effort to recruit hunters and anglers throughout the state. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Thursday a new effort to recruit hunters and anglers throughout the state. Photo: Annie Otzen/Getty Images Photo: Annie Otzen/Getty Images Image 1 of / 29 Caption Close California government wants to get more people hunting 1 / 29 Back to Gallery

Shine up your rifle and break out the camo: The state of California is encouraging its eco-minded residents to get outside and start shooting.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Thursday a new effort to recruit hunters and anglers throughout the state. Fish and Wildlife said in a statement it is partnering with other state and federal agencies as well as recreational communities to "address barriers and opportunities to hunting and fishing in the state."

"The fishing and hunting opportunities in this state are unparalleled, they belong to all Californians and should be utilized by all of us. This effort is to make sure Californians know that," Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton H. Bonham said in the statement.

The agency formed a task force, hired a full-time coordinator and research scientist, and created an action plan to address "barriers" to fishing and hunting, including access and opportunity challenges, public perception, and license structure and pricing.

Though it may seem counterintuitive, hunters and anglers play an essential role in state wildlife conservation. Besides helping the state regulate wildlife populations to maintain ecological and biological diversity, hunters serve as the primary source of funding for fish and wildlife conservation in California.

Money generated from license fees and taxes on guns and ammunition provide approximately 60 percent of the funding to state wildlife agencies. Since 1937, the year the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act passed, hunters have contributed more than $14 billion to the conservation, management and restoration of wildlife in the United States. These payments have facilitated in the recovery of deer, turkeys and other non-game species.

The symbiotic relationship is being threatened, however, by a steep decline in the numbers of people hunting and fishing throughout the country since the 70s and 80s — a reality that spurred California Fish and Wildlife's latest recruitment effort.

A 2016 survey by U.S. Fish and Wildlife showed only about 5 percent of Americans, over the age of 16, hunt — a 50-percent decline in just five decades. Other wildlife-centric activities, like hiking, photography and birdwatching, have grown rapidly in popularity as attitudes toward wildlife change in America.

The decline is attributable to urbanization, the rise of media entertainment, restricted access to hunting territory and a lack of free time. Additionally, hunting declines as the population ages, and as the Baby Boomers grow ever older, the number of hunters will continue to plummet.

"Our goal," said Bonham of the state's recruitment efforts, "is to support and encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy California's wild places."

Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.

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