Outdoor Media: The Unsung Hero of Wildlife Conservation

Welcome back to Whetstone Weekly!

Welcome back to another edition of Whetstone Weekly! I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you for your patience during my recent hiatus. I've been traveling and working closely with landowners, gaining new insights and experiences to share. Your continued support and dedication to becoming better outdoor stewards are genuinely appreciated. Together, we are making significant strides in preserving and enhancing our natural habitats. Let's dive into this week's edition and continue our journey toward better land management and conservation.

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The Importance of Outdoor Media In Preserving Our Hunting Heritage

I spent most of last week surrounded by fellow outdoor writers and content producers, rubbing elbows with the publications and outdoor brands many of you encounter daily. Why this congregation? If you follow any of our social media accounts, like Instagram, you probably noticed my posts about being elected to the Board of Directors for an organization called the Professional Outdoor Media Association, or POMA. Every year, the annual business conference travels to different locations across the country to spread the POMA message and fan the flames of the outdoor industry, connecting media personalities with the brands and publications that outdoor enthusiasts such as yourself consume. Think of POMA as the cartilage that lubricates the gears of the outdoor industry.

Why is outdoor media important?

In the era of Artificial Intelligence, college scholarships for video games, and an endless supply of “dopamine on-demand” apps, it should be no surprise to anyone that hunter participation is in decline. We have a generation of kids who would rather go viral for eating Tide Pods than spend a weekend at deer camp. Anyone familiar with the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation understands that user participation is paramount to the model’s success. A user-pay system, a self-imposed excise tax on hunting and fishing gear, has made the North American model the most successful wildlife conservation model globally (and I boast about it frequently).

If we lose participation in license sales or hunting/fishing-related goods sold, we lose funding for state agencies to manage sustainable wildlife populations effectively. This is why you see huge companies such as Bass Pro Shops advocate and donate so much to conservation nonprofits. The more hunters in the field, the more licenses sold, and the more sporting goods sold, resulting in a larger pool of conservation and habitat funding, better management of our natural resources, and more opportunities to recruit new hunters. Do you follow how all of this is connected?

Outdoor Media is the catalyst for change and inspiration in the outdoor space. Our role is not just to report but to inspire. By showcasing nonprofits’ incredible work, we can elicit donations and memberships, leading to more habitat, more quarry, more hunters afield, and more stories that have the power to ignite a passion for the outdoors in others' showcases.

Conclusion

In a world increasingly dominated by technology and instant gratification, outdoor media plays a critical role in preserving our hunting heritage. By telling compelling stories and highlighting the importance of conservation, we can inspire a new generation to appreciate and engage with the great outdoors. Whether through the articles we write, the videos we produce, or the social media posts we share, we have the power to influence and drive participation in hunting and conservation efforts. But we can't do it alone. Your support and promotion of outdoor media are vital. Let's ensure that our hunting heritage thrives for generations to come.

Before we wrap up, don't forget to check out our online store for all your last-minute food plot seed orders. Visit Whetstone Holler's Game Management Store to find everything you need to ensure a successful season. Thank you for your continued support, and happy planting!