Hunting and fishing in North America, and the management of our wildlife and fisheries, are characterized by a unique and successful system of management called the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Underlying principles behind the North American Model include the ideas that 1.) wildlife is owned by the public, 2.) wildlife can be killed only for legitimate purposes and 3.) the management of our wildlife resources should be accomplished through science-based management. The model is a concept that distinguishes the U.S. and Canada from many other nations where the opportunities to hunt are restricted to those who have special status, such as land ownership, wealth or other privilege.