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Hunting and Trapping Two of the most common recreational uses of wetlands are hunting and trap- ping. Hunting of ducks and geese and other species that are found in wetlands is enjoyed by millions of people every year. Without wetlands much of this hunting would cease to exist. On the other hand, without hunting many wetlands that are now preserved by waterfowl hunting clubs would be lost to drainage. Hunters also preserve wetlands through their purchase of hunting licenses and Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps ("duck stamps") since these funds are partly used for the purchase of wetland areas. Hunters are also the primary source of the income that state wildlife agencies use to preserve and manage wetlands. Proper management of wetlands results in increased game production and an increase in recreational opportunity. Many landowners derive added income from their wetland areas by annually leasing the hunting rights to waterfowl hunters. In some areas of the United States farmers may make more profit by leasing hunting rights than by raising crops. Furtrapping in wetlands is a multi- million dollar industry in the United States. Trappers in numerous states harvest hun- dreds of thousands of muskrats, mink, raccoon, beaver, nutria, and other wet- land furbearers every year. These mam- mals are a valuable wetland resource that responds well to proper management and utilization. Individual landowners often lease their wetlands for fur harvest either by direct cash payment or by shares con- sisting of a percentage of the fur harvest value. Other wetland owners may wish to trap these animals themselves so they may enjoy not only the profit but also the recreation. Although fur harvest in U.S. wetlands is big business, there are rela- tively few professional trappers compared to the many people who trap primarily for recreation. 10