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Recreational Hunting Research Paper

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Earth is currently in the midst of the sixth mass extinction in the past half-billion years, and it is predicted that 30% to 50% of all species could be headed to extinction by around the year 2050. Human activities are responsible for 99% of these extinctions, whether through human-induced global warming or encouraging habitat losses. Although recreational hunting isn’t a big contributor to this mass extinction, it goes along with the widespread theme of human benefit and enjoyment having superiority over the natural world. Many animal rights groups have protested this activity since humans no longer need to hunt for sustenance, making it an unnecessary, selfish practice that encourages ecological imbalance in the future. In the United States …show more content…

For example, the mourning dove has universally been viewed as a symbol of peace, yet they are the most numerously hunted animals, with millions being shot each season. However, doves are not an overpopulated species and are far from harmful in their environment. “The farmer’s friend” is what they are nicknamed, due to promoting agriculture by eating weed seeds. Doves can also be mistaken for similar looking federally protected bird species like American kestrels and sharp-shinned hawks, causing harm to already sensitive populations (The Humane Society). Being mindful about why you hunt a species is the key to being environmentally respectful, because if it is not benefitting the environment, then it is being done solely for personal enjoyment, like in the case of mourning doves. Although many that hunt utilize the meat and respect the animal for its nourishment, due to the developed society we live in, we no longer need to hunt for sustenance, so it is causing unnecessary suffering to the targeted species. Keeping that in mind could promote a more sustainable way of hunting, while improving one’s mindfulness of the

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