By David Peck, Henderson

Friday, July 17, 2020 | 2 a.m.

Hunting and fishing are the oldest and largest participation sports in America, and the most expensive. They bring billions of dollars and millions of jobs to local economies every year.

It can take years to draw a tag. Some are one per lifetime. When sportsmen arent successful, the camaraderie continues by accompanying another. They keep their skills sharp that way and more funds pour in. Billions support our state wildlife and the Department of the Interior.

Environmental awareness starts early out West. We endorse scouting, school programs, hunter safety courses and familial relationships. Wildlife managers know what animals a territory can support. They monitor disease, birth rate density, predators and even weather patterns. Revisions are constant, ecosystems fragile. We use catch-and-release on fish and hunting lotteries for game.

We could ignore all that experience and let animals overpopulate, then see them slaughtered on highways like back east.

A fly in the ointment is often the rookie that brings out a contagious pet or introduces his pet fish into our waterways. If opponents to Americas oldest sporting challenge spent more time embracing our heritage and knowledge, and joined in our efforts, perhaps we wouldnt be expending valuable resources on errant fires like our Spring Mountains just experienced. If being there is the best thing, then having been there must be the next best thing.

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Hunters are part of the ecosystem - Las Vegas Sun