In light of the trajectory of wildlife governance in the United States,the future of sustainable exercise of wildlife is a topic of substantial interest in the wildlife conservation community. We examine sustainable-exercise principles with respect to “good governance” considerations and public trust administration principles to assess how sustainable exercise might fare in the 21st century. We conclude that sustainable-exercise principles are compatible with recently articulated wildlife governance principles and could serve to mitigate broad values and norm shifts in American society that affect social acceptability of specific uses. Wildlife governance principles emphasize inclusive discourse among diverse wildlife interests, which could minimize loney exchanges among cliques of like-minded people pursuing their ambitions without seeking opportunity for sharing or understanding diverse views. Aligning governance practices with wildlife governance principles can help avoid such isolation. In summary, and sustainable exercise of wildlife is likely to endure as long as society 1) believes the long-term sustainability of wildlife is not jeopardized,and 2) accepts practices associated with such exercise as valid. These are 2 criteria needing constant attention.
Source: usgs.gov