As the nights cool, fall colors emerge and the rut is underway, we are reminded hunting season is upon us. We are fortunate in Wyoming to have strong support for our hunting heritage, with approximately 23 percent of residents participating and four out of five Americans nationwide support hunting. This widespread support is invaluable, and we must actively work to maintain it.

However, over the past decade, I've increasingly heard negative feedback from landowners and land managers regarding hunters' behavior on their properties. Comments often highlight issues such as torn-up roads, gates being left open and scattered trash. This is disheartening and unacceptable. We all know that even one negative experience can significantly impact decisions. Landowners, frustrated by such incidents, may eventually limit or charge for public access. I often hear about this frustration and have no response other than to apologize and acknowledge that we can do better.

Let's revive the tradition of showing gratitude. I recall as a child, men would arrive at our door with a ham, an offering of thanks for my father allowing them to hunt on his land. This gesture, though simple, fostered goodwill. Tokens of appreciation can take many forms. Some hunters dedicate days to assisting landowners with ranch projects. Such contributions build lasting relationships and can significantly help secure future private property access. Let's all strive to leave properties better than we found them. This means picking up any trash we see, sending personal thank you notes to landowners or taking the time to genuinely get to know landowners.

As hunters, we are all impacted by the actions of an individual who leaves a negative impression on a landowner. Let's hold each other accountable. If you witness poor behavior, please address it. It will require a collective effort to reverse this trend. Without access to private lands, hunting opportunities will diminish and wildlife management will face greater obstacles. Land access is fundamental to the future of hunting, and we must consciously respect the land we use. Hunters have been, and continue to be, wildlife conservationists. Land stewardship is a vital component of conservation, and we all play a crucial role.