One of the most important things a hunter brings home may never reach his own table. Across the country, hunters donate harvested deer to local processors and food banks, where the venison becomes nutritious meals for families they may never meet. At the same time, that harvest helps state wildlife agencies manage deer populations and protect the health of the surrounding habitat.

It is an important part of the hunting story, but one that many Americans rarely hear.

This Saturday, September 26, the country will observe National Hunting and Fishing Day. The occasion comes just over a week after President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Reinvigorating America’s Hunting Heritage.” Together, these events offer a timely opportunity to explain why hunting continues to matter, not only to the people who participate in it, but also to the communities and wildlife populations that benefit from it.

Several years ago, I helped lead the project that resulted in the book "How to Talk About Hunting: Research-Based Communications Strategies." The book examined how hunters and wildlife professionals could better explain hunting to people who had never experienced it themselves. Much of that work came down to a basic idea: Conversations about hunting are most effective when they begin with values that hunters and non-hunters share.

Americans want wildlife populations to remain healthy. They understand the importance of giving young people opportunities to spend time........

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