COURTESY OF HARD TRUTHS OF CONSERVATION

“ We focus very hard on presenting the conservation side of hunting in a very entertaining format . The show is a lot about the stuff you don ’ t see on hunting shows — all the surrounding things that most hunters know and understand instinctively , but that we don ’ t always relay well to non-hunters ,” said Dan Cabela , host of Hard Truths of Conservation , which highlights locations and the impacts of hunting globally . “ Every environment is important , but our impact is different — why it ’ s important in North America versus Africa . What ’ s the difference between Maine and New Jersey when comparing human-wildlife conflict ? One place has a bear hunt and another practically doesn ’ t . There ’ s a difference .

“ We try to show the impact of food security , economics , marginal lands , as well as the biology and role of state agencies , and how those are funded ,” he continued . “ We ’ re putting the emphasis on the frontlines and the people who live there

and let them tell the story . We always leave it up to the audience to decide . It ’ s not me saying how they should think . We ’ re just pointing out the facts . It ’ s kind of a journey — I ’ m learning with the audience .”

Hard Truths of Conservation , which has been initially inked for two seasons , features such exotic locations as Pakistan and Africa , as well as domestic places like Maine and Nevada . Killing an animal isn ’ t the goal ; highlighting how hunting and wildlife management work together is the much-needed underlying premise . As such , many episodes don ’ t feature any hunting , but rather live captures of moose , bears and other animals for research projects . When hunting does take place , the cinematography shows the audience the benefits , such as villagers lining up for a meat drop or the return of bighorn sheep to areas of the West and how hunters were responsible for much of it . It ’ s an approach that has landed the show on a mainstream network and has garnered initial feedback from non-hunting audiences that includes descriptors like “ respectful , honest and truthful .”

For Cabela , a Sportsmen ’ s Alliance Foundation board member , the impetus for the show involves a desire to highlight the benefits of modern scientific wildlife management , the backbone of which is hunting . Since selling its line of stores , the Cabela family has focused on the good it can do through the Cabela Family Foundation , such as restoring lion

and cheetah populations to the Zambeze Delta in Mozambique , and now with Hard Truths of Conservation .

“ When we sold the company , the thought was : we ’ ve been a part of this industry our whole lives , we need to try to help help it stay viable and relevant ,” Cabela said . “ We wanted to give back to the community that ’ s helped us so much and make sure hunting stays relevant for the future . And to explain to people why we are relevant — there is great relevancy .”

Bringing non-hunting , voting audiences a holistic look at wildlife management and the benefits hunting provides is an important piece of preserving our outdoor heritage for the future . Doing so on a mainstream channel in a way that resounds with that audience is key .

“ There ’ s a lot of people who don ’ t hunt , but who still enjoy wild game and support the philosophy of hunting ,” noted Cabela . “ Everything is changing . The world is changing , and we have to change , too .”

The first season of Hard Truths of Conservation airs Saturdays at 9 a . m . on History channel . It can also be streamed at : history . com / shows / hard-truthsof-conservation .

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