We carried an intriguing article from the Associated Press last Monday saying the number of hunters was declining nationally. Fishermen too. The numbers are almost staggering. The number of U.S. hunters dropped from 14 million to 12.5 million from 1996 to 2006. The number of anglers dropped from 35.2 million to 30 million.

Although animal-rights people are applauding, and cite a growing number of wildlife watchers and photographers, the decline in hunting especially has ramifications for hunters and non-hunters alike. For starters, too many deer or moose are a safety hazard for motorists.

The reasons behind the declines are equally significant. Experts say Americans live more "suburban" lifestyles nowadays, not so much "rural" lifestyles. One said that teenagers don't just get up one day and take up hunting. It's more a way of life, something that (typically, though not always) a father teaches to his sons and daughters. And hunters usually go with other hunters, in groups of two or more. So, children born into this lifestyle see it as part of their routine, part of growing up. They learn about guns and are comfortable around them. They are OK with killing animals, and often eating venison, grouse, pheasant, rabbits. But, fewer Americans are living this way.

I grew up in rural Pennsylvania, and hunted, trapped and fished extensively with my father. Now I am a father of two daughters, and we fish occasionally. I haven't hunted in at least 10 years; haven't trapped since my teens. So I am accidentally part of this trend. And the odds are very low that my daughters will ever hunt, without encouragement and teaching from me.

I have a few rhetorical questions: Do you think hunting and fishing are pastimes that fall into the category (like golf) of "taking a lot of time do to?" Is that part of the problem here, as Americans feel squeezed for time are they dropping the leisure pursuits that take up a handful of hours each time you do them? (Ironically, it's something people often say when they stop buying a newspaper: "I like it, I should read it, but I don't have enough time.")

Also, could it be that the hunting just isn't as good as it used to be? My father insists "small game" in Pennsylvania are nowhere near as abundant as when he was a young man. On the other hand, deer and moose in Maine seem to be plentiful enough.

What ARE we doing with our time? Working harder, watching more TV, surfing the 'Net or going to more soccer games? I'm not really sure.

Finally, why is Maine bucking this national trend? The number of fishing licenses sold in Maine in 2006 actually was higher than in 1996. The number of hunters dropped by less than 1 percent.