Unfortunate but true.
No one laments the loss of wildlife habitat more than hunters do. A demonstration of this is the organization called Ducks Unlimited, founded in 1937 for the specific purpose of acquiring and protecting wetlands throughout North America to provide habitat for the annual migration of waterfowl. DU spends millions of dollars every year in wetlands restoration and conservation from Canada to Mexico. For years, until my work duties kept me from having time for hunting, I was a member of DU.
Similarly, revenue from state and federal hunting licenses, and taxes on firearms and ammunition sales is spent on wildlife areas. Without this money it would be difficult or impossible to continue to maintain many wildlife areas.
But, in spite of this, and because humans often want to take over areas that have been undeveloped for decades, it is commonplace for residential subdivisions to be built in areas occupied by wildlife. When this happens undesirable interaction between humans and dangerous wild animals sometimes occurs.
I personally reject the concept of "You can't blame the wild animal," just because the area was once their habitat. It is unfortunate, but necessary, that dangerous wild animals not be permitted to co-occupy living space with vulnerable humans.
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