I consider myself an avid conservationist. I have returned most of our farm to wildlife habitat, and when done, hopefully 90% will be in wildlife habitat. We have done this by going to high-intensity farming (just about the opposite of organic farming). We concentrate high-productivity vegetable culture on a few acres, allowing restoration of the remaining acres. We use raised beds, plasticulture and drip irrigation, and use pesticides according to lable only when needed. I also hunt those game animals that have thriving populations, including deer. We have lots of coyotes, and I take these out when I get a chance (usually during the time when their fur can be used). We have no wolves to do this for us. I do not even make a nick in the population. Turkey are legal, but our local population is meager, so I have never hunted them or killed one. Trespassers on neighbors' land have just about wiped them out. To me, conservationists preserve natural resources, and our farm now has way more animals (game and non-game) and plants than it did in 1990 when we bought it. It also has a added pond, 3 wetlands and prairie, and we are not done. I consider myself an avid hunter and conservationist. I don't see the conflict between the two.
