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transferred receipts from a 10 percent excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition from the general treasury to state wildlife conservation programs." Later, "In 1970, again with hunter support, the Dingman-Hart Bill was enacted, making a 10 percent excise tax on handguns available for wildlife restoration and hunter safety training."

Animal rights activists had nothing to do with this. Those who enjoyed hunting and eating wild game realized that if they did not regulate themselves and raise funds for conservation, their beloved animals would be extinct. Hunters contribute more to animal conservation that any other group. We now have very healthy populations of wild animals. There are seasons in each state to harvest game. Most hunters eat the meat from the animals they harvest. Many give thanks for the bountiful blessing. By caring for the environment, hunters display the correct ethics for animal welfare.

Predator control plays a role in animal welfare. We cannot allow any one group of wild animals to overpopulate. There are too many coyotes and other predators, which kill many Bambis. They invade our suburbs and kill many pets. They pounce on just-born domestic and wild animals, eating them while they are still alive.

Animal rights groups are foolish if they think that predators can be caged and relocated. Where would they like to put them? Statistics show that 80-90% of all relocated animals do not survive in their new environment. The reintroduction of the wolf into lands inhabited by animal farmers is ethically wrong. Wolves take a big toll on ranchers' economic livelihood.

Animal welfare ethics is something we all need to be educated about. Do not lap up everything the media feeds you about animal rights; they just regurgitate whatever the animal rights groups tell them, and most of them are not in touch with reality.

Have respect for all the creatures of this earth; there is a delicate balance to be maintained. We all have a part in animal welfare, and the first step is to be properly educated.

Learn more about this author, Joyce Beckman.
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