Beyond the Divide: Finding Common Ground in Conservation
- Andrea Bonadiman
- Oct 9
- 5 min read
Who has contributed to conservation historically? How did the first conservation organizations get started? Can a person who is an avid environmentalist still be a hunter? May we learn about old ways in which the flora and fauna that exist today were preserved by those who harvested from the Earth. As time goes on, we set aside our differences to form a unified band of individuals that stand together to protect our public lands and the wildlife that lives on them.
I grew up in a family where my dad hunted elk and deer, and I started fishing at a very young age. Some of my fondest memories are of glassing elk in the Sawtooth Mountains with my dad and fishing with my grandfather along the banks of the Salmon River. All of these memories included full bellies of elk liver and onions, as well as trout. On the other side of the coin, my family held memberships or supported organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, etc. My great-grandfather on my mother’s side was an avid hunter, & also wrote congressional letters regarding the installation of dams on the Columbia River in Oregon, concerning the Salmon runs. I had a wide variety of exposure to how conservation of the land and wildlife was accomplished. Conservation is not led by a single path, but is successful through many avenues that come together for a common cause.
It might sound crazy to some people, but here in Oregon, hunting is actually a vital part of our conservation strategy. Don’t believe me? Let's examine the facts.
The Hunter as a Conservationist
Hunters are some of Oregon's most committed conservationists, and they're putting their money where their mouths are. When you buy a hunting tag here in Oregon, you're directly funding conservation—surcharges on those licenses fuel programs like the Fish Restoration and Enhancement and Wildlife Access and Habitat programs. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) largely operates on revenue from hunting and fishing licenses, as well as federal taxes on hunting gear. All of that money is dedicated to wildlife management, habitat improvement, research, and land conservation.
This "user pays, public benefits" model has been the foundation of Oregon's conservation efforts for over a century. Hunters and anglers were the original voices for wildlife protection, and their early efforts led to the creation of the very agencies and laws that protect our wildlife today.
This year, I put in for a Sage Grouse, Mule Deer Buck, Big Horn Sheep Ram, and Bull Elk tag. I was successful in drawing for a Sage Grouse and Bull Elk tag. I had dreamed of drawing an elk tag. For years now, I’ve wanted to go hunting and actually harvest a Bull Elk. They hold a certain place in my heart. Hearing their bugle & their majestic essence on the landscape. Drawing a Sage Grouse tag was very exciting, as they are not only very limited, but they also contribute valuable data to biologists on the species.
The Sage Grouse: A Case Study in Adaptive Management
In Eastern Oregon, the sage grouse is a species of concern, with its population and habitat managed through a collaborative effort aimed at preventing it from being listed as endangered. This bird relies exclusively on sagebrush steppe habitat, which is under threat from various elements.
So, how does hunting play a role? The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) uses a highly regulated sage grouse hunting season to collect critical conservation data. It’s a crucial component of the state's comprehensive effort to manage and conserve the species.
Wing Analysis: Successful hunters are required to submit one wing from each bird they harvest. Biologists analyze the plumage on these wings to determine the bird's sex, age, and reproductive success.
Population Monitoring: This data, combined with other methods like spring lek surveys (counting males at communal breeding grounds-You can read more about this via our own MJ Winter’s blog, which she wrote about her experience observing the lekks), provides a comprehensive picture of the sage grouse population. This information is used to set hunting permits very conservatively, ensuring the harvest does not exceed a small percentage of the estimated population—typically less than 5%.
This isn't a free-for-all; it's adaptive management at its best. The data collected helps biologists assess the health and stability of the population and make informed decisions about conservation actions, habitat management, and future hunting regulations.I was able to go hunting on the opening day of the Sage Grouse season. A very early morning rise, illuminated by a full moon, and mugs steaming with coffee. Immediately, we were able to see a coyote and some mule deer. We were out on the land for about twenty minutes, and saw our first group of Sage Grouse. My first attempt at shooting the shotgun that was my boyfriend's was unsuccessful. I hadn’t shot it before, and it was quite large for my frame. I became more acclimated to the firearm, and we set off to search for a different group. I was pleased, I hadn’t filled my tag with the first group, as I wanted to enjoy the morning out in the land more. It had been around 3 hours or so since we encountered the first group, and suddenly, I spotted another. This time, I was able to handle the shotgun efficiently and filled my tag. A total of 7 Sage Grouse were in this group, and I was able to limit out with a total of 2 birds, which is allowed for every tag. The birds I harvested were a juvenile male and a mature male. Overall, it was a spectacular experience that not only honored the family tradition of hunting but also a tradition that has contributed to conservation for generations.
This model of hunting-driven conservation isn't just an Oregon thing; it's the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and it was built by hunters.
Theodore Roosevelt, a lifelong hunter and outdoorsman, famously said, "In a civilized and cultivated country, wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen."
He founded the Boone and Crockett Club, which was one of the first organizations to advocate for fair chase and wildlife conservation. Its members were responsible for helping to create national parks, wildlife refuges, and the National Forest system.
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) is a hunting-driven organization that works to ensure all Americans have access to quality hunting and fishing opportunities. They have been instrumental in contributing to conservation efforts in the Owyhee Canyonlands by advocating for policies that protect and enhance this crucial landscape for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts.
Glassing for Mule Deer, Archery Season 2025 - Andrea Bonadiman So, the next time you see a hunter, remember that they aren’t just out there for sport; they’re a vital part of the conservation legacy that has brought back species from the brink and continues to protect our wild places for everyone. These are the boots on the ground observing these species, rain or shine; they are out on the land collecting data that is vital for proper management in many ways. I would love to see more non-partisan movements of communities forming towards the common goal of conservation. We all love our public lands and wish for them to be around for generations to come. May we all come together, just like this spring, when our public lands were on the chopping block. Taking note of what the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service & a key figure in conservation, Gifford Pinchot once said, "the greatest good for the greatest number in the long run." I'd be honored to set the example as someone who is both an avid supporter of environmental organizations and also sporting-conservation groups. There is no reason we can’t all sit at the same table, as we both share common goals with minor differences.
Rolling golden hills, Sage Grouse Hunting 2025 - Andrea Bonadiman