Many in the wildlife management community recognize the vital role hunting has played in the "North American Model of Wildlife Conservation" and acknowledge hunters as the foundation of efforts to restore species and habitats depleted by unregulated commercial slaughter in the 1800's. Yet with the increasing focus on endangered species, environmental impacts from events like the Gulf oil spill, and the effects of climate change, that legacy is easy to overlook. A new monograph recently published by the International Journal of Environmental Studies serves as a timely reminder of the historic and continued importance of hunters and hunting to conservation.

The monograph is a compilation of nine peer reviewed papers on topics ranging from archaeological evidence that shows the importance of hunting in shaping North America's wildlife communities over the past 10,000 years, to the challenges of integrating modern, science-based management with the traditional ecological knowledge and culture of today's Inuit and Inuvialuit society in the Arctic. Other papers explore the role of hunting in conservation of ungulates, carnivores and wilderness and document how the United States and Canada leveraged hunter's support and resources to advance conservation at a continental scale. The monograph provides historic and philosophical perspectives as well as practical insights regarding ways the North American Model can adapt to future conditions.

Renowned author and hunter-philosopher, Shane Mahoney, contributed to the writing and served as editor for the monograph. According to Mahoney, "wildlife conservation remains one of the greatest challenges of modern times and developing practical mechanisms to achieve it is a task of great urgency for nations worldwide." This new Monograph provides one of the most extensive treatments of this complex issue and points to the continuing importance of hunting as a conservation mechanism.

The Monograph on Hunting and Conservation in North America is being made available for free until July 31, 2013 by the publisher, Taylor and Francis. The Wildlife Management Institute encourages all professionals to download and study this important volume while it is available online. (cs)