Of all people across the country, you would think hunters practice their voting rights like nobody else. However, sources say that only 30-50% of licensed hunters vote. That’s quite the number of non-voters in the hunting community, particularly when you think about all that hunters have to lose, depending on how the election plays out.
So why aren’t hunters taking the time to vote?
Why would you pass on the opportunity to practice the freedom that men fought and died for?
Here’s a look at why hunters should vote this year.
Keith Mark is co-founder of Hunter Nation, and Hunt the Vote. When he heard the bold claim that hunters aren’t voting, he was shocked, offended, and in disbelief. He decided to do some research to look into the validity of such a statement.
“I learned two things,” says Mark. “First, hunters don’t vote. At least not in numbers we have all assumed for years. And second, non-voting hunters represent a significant enough percentage that if they voted, hunters could be a voting block that would impact election results. I was stunned.”
You see, hunters should vote because their vote matters on a much larger scale than what they realize. Their voice matters when it comes to the guns we use, the public land that we roam, and the countless opportunities we’ve been blessed with as a hunter. But the numbers show that far too many hunters are neglecting their right to vote.
“My research showed that depending on the state, 30 to 50 percent of licensed hunters don’t vote regularly,” says Mark. “More than 35 percent skipped the 2016 and 2018 elections completely, and sadly, a third of licensed hunters aren’t even registered to vote.”
“By hunters not voting our values, anti-hunting voters are selecting the elected officials who are making laws and regulations that directly impact our hunting lifestyle and all of our traditional American values. This includes the dangerously rapid reduction of Americans who hunt, which can be traced to the anti-hunting regulations that make it harder to retain and recruit hunters.”
Bottom line – the future of hunting depends on the decisions, actions, and efforts of hunters.
Don’t take it lightly. Get out there and vote!
