Comment by criddell

Part of that is right. Hunters, as a group, are closer to nature than most. Thanks to them, all kinds of conservation efforts have been started and maintained.

Ever wonder how Nixon was able to establish the EPA and sign into law the clean air act, the clean water act, the marine mammal protection act, the legacy of parks program, and the endangered species act when the green movement was (and is) mostly associated with left-leaning activists? Hunters. They were a big part of the conservative base and provided cover for Nixon and his conservation efforts.