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Show efforts to conserve nature . Outdoor sportsmen were the first to recognize nature is not inexhaustible and man's futur depends on a balanced balanc-ed ecosystem. Nniinnal Huntine and Fishing Day on Sept. 23 will recognize hunters and fishermen for their efforts to conserve con-serve nature. Outdoor sportsmen, decades ago, sounded alarms and tried to do something to stop the raping of the land, pillaging of the forests, pollution of lakes, streams and oceans and indiscriminate slaughter of fish and wildlife. . V-n The special day is opposed by many supporters of ; the current antihunting movement. Those spearheading the movement claim wild animals are being pushed to the brink of extinction by outdoorsmcn. Top wildlife professionals, however, point out that J no species in America has been endangered- by managed wildlife resource programs. Rather, the chief enemies of wildlife have been pollution and encroachment of civilization civi-lization on wildlife habitat, j Hunters, through license fees, excise tax on arms i and ammunition and other contributions, spend millions of dollars yearly, which is made available for wildlife habitat improvement, land purchase, transplanting of i animals and protection of range. |