The Importance of Conservation in Archery Hunting Practices
Written by: Gentry Hale
“Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the forest and fields in which you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person.” – Fred Bear
You know the feeling.
You’re standing in the woods in the early-morning light—quiet, bow in hand. Your bugles brought the bull right to where you wanted him. He moves slowly and effortlessly through the dense underbrush, and you hold your breath, knowing his senses are attuned to every rustle of leaf or snap of twig. You draw back with a steady arm and your arrow flies true, piercing his vitals and filling you with overwhelming emotion: not just the thrill of a successful hunt, but something deeper, too—a profound sense of gratitude and responsibility for the role that you as an archery hunter are playing in conservation.
Hunters and the environment have a symbiotic relationship. Harvesting an animal with a bow does more than just fill our freezers with meat and our chests with pride—it carries significant implications for wildlife conservation, land protection and environmental stewardship.
The sport of archery plays a vital role in funding conservation efforts. The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, AKA the Pittman-Robertson Act, has been boosting conservation throughout the U.S. since 1937. An excise tax placed on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment provides funding for state wildlife agencies and is apportioned to states depending on their land area and number of hunting licenses sold.
Pittman-Robertson funding is used for conserving, restoring and managing wildlife habitats, funding wildlife research and monitoring the health of land, species and ecosystem dynamics to guide wildlife management decisions. Funding also supports hunter education and outreach and improves outdoor recreation opportunities.
Since its inception, the Pittman-Roberston Act has collected and distributed over $12 billion for state conservation and recreation projects as of 2022, helping enhance or restore millions of acres of wildlife habitat. Research conducted by the Congressional Research Service found that Pittman-Robertson funds have also played a crucial role in the recovery of game species, including whitetail deer, turkey and waterfowl.
When Pittman-Roberson funds are combined with taxes on fishing equipment and fuel (the Dingell-Johnson Act), the resulting funding usually covers 75% of project costs while states typically cover the other 25% using revenue from hunting licenses, permits and tags—also paid for by hunters and fisherman.
But helping fund state agencies is just the tip of the arrow, if you will, when it comes to a bow hunters’ role in conservation.
For many hunters, myself included, pursuing game is inseparable from the deep respect and connection that we have with the natural world. Spending time in the woods, witnessing the beauty and rhythms of nature, fosters a sense of environmental stewardship—a commitment to protecting the ecosystems that provide those opportunities.
The late Fred Bear knew that feeling. A legend in the archery world, Bear was known for popularizing bowhunting, developing innovations like the compound bow and the takedown bow, and promoting the sport as a legitimate and ethical form of hunting. His writings and films helped dispel the misconceptions around bowhunting and reveal its effectiveness in harvesting game.
Bear understood that archery requires high proficiency and patience, setting it apart from firearm pursuits. He preached that proper shot placement, humane harvesting techniques and adherence to hunting regulations are key to having the best experience and making a positive impact on wildlife. “The love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyond reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only paradise we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need, if only we had the eyes to see.”
Bow hunters rely on healthy ecosystems to pursue their sport. Therefore, they have vested interest in preserving and protecting natural landscapes.
Conservation-minded ethics are central to the ethos of archery hunting. The principles of fair chase, responsible stewardship of natural resources and a general respect for wildlife garner a good bow hunter. Ethical hunting techniques include selective harvesting, proper shot placement and adhering to all hunting regulations, minimizing the archer’s impact on the ecosystem while supporting their hunting privileges.
Through hunting observations, participation in game surveys and reporting harvested animals, information provided by hunters help wildlife managers make educated decisions around hunting regulations and wildlife management, including setting quotas, tracking trends and implementing management strategies.
Whether through political activism, providing information on populations or actively participating in conservation projects like habitat restoration or invasive species removal, hunters ensure the availability of quality habitat for wildlife, ensuring a future of hunting opportunities.
Then, long after your hunt has ended, and the swell of emotions have passed and your freezer is full, the bull mounted on your wall or the elk steak that you share with a friend will serve as an opportunity for you to start a conversation about these values with others. Archery hunters can be ambassadors for conservation, promoting awareness and appreciation of the natural world.
So as you head out into the early-morning light, beaming with hope, elk call in one hand and bow in the other, know that your efforts are not only providing you with a sustainable, healthy source of protein, but are also helping the future of elk thrive so that bulges—both natural and Slayer-made—can continue to ring out for generations to come.
