The good news: Hunting is on the decline in the US.

The bad news: Some people are trying to revive it.

The New York Times reports,

“Hunting is on the decline across the nation as participation has fallen over the last three decades, and states have begun trying to bolster this rural tradition by attracting new and younger people to the sport.

“In West Virginia, state lawmakers gave final approval on Friday to a bill that allows hunting education classes in all schools where at least 20 students express interest.”

Why can’t they just get a Wii and hunt virtual ducks instead of real ones? Or what about a wildlife photography class instead of a hunting class?

Looks like my thoughts are in good company. The article continues:

“Andrew Page agrees about the draw of nature, but as the director of hunting affairs for the Humane Society of the United States, he sees the drop in hunting as heartening, partly because it has come with a simultaneous rise in other types of outdoor activity. The number of birdwatchers, wildlife photographers and other wildlife watchers grew to 71 million in 2006, up from 62.8 million in 1996, according to surveys conducted by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

“‘Culture is shifting, and we think that’s a good thing,’ Mr. Page said. Though he grew up in rural Illinois hunting rabbits, squirrels and pheasants, Mr. Page, 32, said he gave up hunting in his late teens when he realized that he could enjoy nature without killing animals.”

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