Controversies About Hunting

What goes through the minds of people when they think about trophy hunting? Hunting is the act of pursuing and killing live animals for food, recreation, or trade. Early human civilizations relied on hunting for subsistence. As humans and civilizations evolved, so did hunting. Hunting became a sport rather than a necessity. People who are for hunting claim that it helps control wildlife populations, whereas people against it believe that trophy hunting will lead to the extinction of certain animals. This paper will examine viewpoint one, two, and my viewpoint on trophy hunting being banned or not.

In America, deer are an animal hunted widely throughout our country. Each winter citizens have mixed emotions about the sport. Some say its barbaric and cruel, while others argue that it’s beneficial and useful. Although people may say hunting is cruel and barbaric, have they ever thought about the upsides to be gained from hunting? While this is a topic that can be argued viciously back and forth, I believe hunters win the argument. Deer hunting keeps the population down, protects farmers’ crops, boosts economic sales, betters a person’s mental health, and teaches lifelong lessons on respect. These are just a few of the amazing benefits that can be gained from hunting.

Many people think of the bahamas, or a five star hotel when a vacation is mentioned, however that is not true for all. For those who enjoy the outdoors and nature, a nice hunting trip speak more to them. Hunting has been seen in our culture for centuries as a way of reconnecting with nature, and in todays world with the lack of predators it is used to keep nature in balance, as well as keeping in touch with our ancestral traditions.

Hunting has been around since the beginning of man. Early humans hunted to survive in the harsh world. Hunting is still used to supply a source of food for many, but it has turned into a recreational sport for some. The turn from means of survival to sport has spurred the argument over whether or not hunting is humane or ethical. Hunting is very ethical because can help stop overpopulating species, slow overgrazing, and be used as a source of food.

Hunting is a common activity all around the world, and if performed properly, can have many benefits to us and the rest of the planet. The art of hunting has been around since the beginning of time. Living off of the land used to be a necessity across the world, until the mass production of food came along. In America, people do not usually need to hunt to survive. However, the population of animal species needs to be controlled. Too many of one type of animal can cause a drastic change to any ecosystem. Food supplies decline quickly, leaving many animals without food. Hunting can help keep the population of a group of animals at a good number, making the lives of the other

Some countries have already banned hunting. These include Botswana and Costa Rica. Still, two out of 196 countries is not enough to help save animals. Banning hunting is an activity that needs to occur all over the world. Hunting should be made illegal worldwide due to the negative influence it impacts on children, its use as a sport and hobby, and the extinction of species it causes.

In a civilized and cultivated country, wild animals only continue to exist at all when preserved by sportsmen”("MARC FOLCO: Some hunting, fishing quotes to live by"). Hunters are the leading source for all conservation programs. Theodore Roosevelt was one of the most passionate hunters. People put down hunting like it’s a bad thing. Many hunters contribute billions of dollars the the economy. Hunting should not be banned because of the positive impacts it has on society.

According to Statisticbrain, The total number of people over the age of 16 that hunt annually is over 12.6 million. Families used to hunt to feed themselves, and even younger children were taught to hunt to help contribute to their family’s survival. Over the years it has changed but the tradition of hunting together is still passed down from one generation to another. While hunting for meat is no longer a necessity, wild game is still much better for you and healthier than meat bought in a grocery store. Hunting also requires a person to take a class in Hunter Safety before they can legally hunt, where firearm safety and shooting skills are taught. Hunting as a family is a bonding experience where time is spent outside together instead of indoors sitting down watching television or playing video games. There is a saying that goes “Take your kids hunting and you won’t have to hunt for your kids” - kids who are involved with their families more and spend time doing things they enjoy together are much less likely to get in trouble. People who grow up learning how to handle guns safely and respect firearms are much less likely to use one irresponsibly.

Hunting has become a staple of American traditions since the beginning of the first hunter/gatherers, to the Native Americans who have lived in the U.S for millennia, even all the way until present day. Much of today’s society looks at hunting as a cruel activity when in reality it has more of a positive effect on the environment than it does harm. There are an abundance of benefits that come from hunting. Some of the benefits of hunting are: it is the biggest contribution to conserving wildlife, the meat is healthier than commercially produced meat, many jobs are being supported out of hunting, and every hunter wants “to bag” the trophy animal; however, there are a few cons to this, which include poaching and interference by the activist

Hunting has been around for as long as people have been on this earth and if that were taken away completely some people would lose that sense of nature to hunt. Hunting is people who kill animals for food, clothing, or sport. In 2011 13.7 million people, 6% of the U.S. population 16 years old and older, hunted. Big game like elk, deer and wild

Everyday thousands of animals are brutally murdered by people that participate in the recreational activity that is hunting. Hunting is an activity that involves a person attempting to kill or trap an animal. Hunting is mainly done to animals in the wildlife and often in cases are used for food, clothing, recreation or trade. In my opinion hunting is morally wrong.

“The Facts About Hunting.” Friends of Animals And Their Benefits. Friends of Animals And Their Benefits, Web. 8 November 2013

The deer and elk population is growing at an alarming rate. According to Outdoor Life, the "Whitetail deer population grew from 29.8 million in 1994 to 32.7 million today." According to Garth Kidd, the solution to this overgrowth problem is hunting. If we were to get rid of hunting,

Humans have been hunting on this planet for over two million years. Our ancestors used complex hunting techniques to ambush and kill antelopes, gazelles, and other large animals dated back to times before Christ. People all around the world still carry on the tradition, but the view on hunting is not the same as it was back then. The world is so industrialized, and people think hunting is cruel and useless because you can buy meat at grocery stores. But in reality, it is the reason the wildlife they see are not extinct. Harvesting game not only benefits the hunter with the meat, but also the land, the wildlife, and controls the game population; therefore, without it wildlife would starve, and land would not be managed.

2).With 12.5 million hunters in the United States, it seems as though most families have a reason to support hunting rights in country. Safety is a top propriety; new younger hunters are now required to pass a gun hunting safety class. The safety class deals with such issues as proper handling of a firearm, and safety issues and how one must never point a gun at anything that the hunter does not want to kill.“The hunter education course instills in students the knowledge and skill to be a responsible and safe hunter. The basic course consists of 10 lessons during a minimum of 10 hours. Students learn how hunting accidents are caused and how they can be prevented. Hunter responsibility and safety are stressed throughout the classes, which consist of lectures, demonstrations, group discussions, practical exercises, and individual study and activity assignments” (Wisconsin department of natural resources, 2009, p.1). Hunting is also important to the economy of the country in 2006, [125 million hunters entered the woods spending $22.9 billion that would have not went into the economy without hunting. Total cost of hunting equipment for hunting was $10.7 Billion](“2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation,” 2006). Which would not have went to local business without hunting. Hunting is not just a pastime in the United States; it is big business