“Some have attempted to justify wildlife conservation in terms of meat, others in terms of personal pleasure, others in terms of cash, still others in the interest of science, education, agriculture, art, public health, and even military preparedness. But few have so far clearly realized and expressed the whole truth, that all these things are but factors in a broad social value, and that wildlife, like golf, is a social asset.” (Leopold 226-227)

Leopold brings the idea to the surface that regardless of who you are or what you believe in  (whether its hunting or conservation biology), we all see wildlife as an asset. We are consumers. He points to the differences in types of consumers throughout the last few chapters to emphasize that there are conservationists and also hunters who disregard the future of wildlife. There is no way around the truth that wildlife is a social asset, but there is the opportunity to educate for the future of wildlife so that all can enjoy this asset for as long as possible.

“We fancy that industry supports us, forgetting what supports industry.” (Leopold 212)

We have lost touch with nature through the mechanization and gadgets of this time, according to Leopold. I think this quote is very relevant to our field trip to Cabela’s because of the amount of merchandise in the store to assist hunters or fishermen in unnecessary and trifling ways.