Poll shows sportsman want public lands preserved

A new National Wildlife Federation Poll shows that protecting public lands and addressing climate change is big for those who hunt and fish.   Given a choice between protecting America’s public lands and prioritizing the production of oil, gas and coal, 49 percent want to protect public lands and just 35 percent choose fossil fuel production.   John Gale of the Wildlife Federation says maintaining and improving access to public lands also ranked high on the priority list. He says those who fish and hunt made it clear that they view themselves as conservationists.                "We regard ourselves as stewards of the land because we have such a strong connection to it," Gale said. "We understand at a fundamental level that if you take care of the land, then the land will take care of you. And if you take care of fish and wildlife habitat, the hunting and fishing will take care of itself." The poll also shows that 47 percent of those who responded believe that gun rights and conservation are equally important.