Why Hunting Should Not Be Banned?
A Comprehensive Guide
Hunting is not only for aesthetics or for “winning a trophy,” but it can also be a way of living for numerous people in some regions of the world. Some countries use hunting animals as a means of getting food on their tables, and we can’t really tell them to stop if that is how they’re able to eat. Not only that, but there are several reasons why hunting should not be banned? We listed reasons why canned hunting should not be denied and banned.
Table of Contents
What is Hunting?
Hunting, in general, means that you are in the pursuit of wild animals such as wild rabbits, squirrels, and even deers to capture and/or kill them. Hunting in today’s generation is regarded as a sport or recreational activity, but some countries still use hunting as a way to eat. Since the Stone Age, man’s leading contributor of survival has been hunting for their own food, but with the evolution of time, farming and cultivation of animals became a thing. And with the farming of animals, man has been able to have easier access to food. This resulted in hunting becoming a popular recreational activity for people.
Reasons Why Hunting Should Not Be Banned
Reason #1: Decreases The Risk of Overpopulation
When a hunter hunt, they reduce the risk of animal overpopulation, especially in animals that reproduce very fast, such as birds and fish. If trophy hunters do not hunt them, the risk of overpopulation of these species increases rapidly. Increased wildlife populations can cause numerous harmful effects not only to people but also to animals. Squirrels are one of the fastest animals to reproduce, so if you’re planning to hunt squirrels, then you need an excellent pellet gun to use to hunt them. Listed below are 5 things that would happen if animals overpopulate.
Diseases
When overpopulation happens in animals, Mother Nature is bound to take action and cause diseases that will restore the balance by killing off animals. But as we all know, conditions in animals can spread to humans, which may cause an even bigger ordeal.
Mass Extinction
Mass extinction may happen concerning diseases in animals caused by overpopulation. If these diseases are not treated, animals with these diseases can spread it to those who are not diseased and cause mass extinction with access to wildlife.
Wandering Animals
When overpopulated animals are hungry, their basic survival instincts drive them to seek food in unusual locations. In many situations, overcrowded animals will stray into human-populated regions. And this may cause traffic to highways and even cause accidents.
Damaged Ecosystems
Overpopulation of animals has a negative impact on the environment and the natural landscape. Overpopulation is a cycle that affects the ecosystem, which affects the food chain, rivers, and land. Abundant wildlife has the potential to alter the whole composition of an ecosystem.
Lack of Food
Food scarcity happens whenever the food chain breaks down because of overpopulation. Generally, it is a cause-and-effect interaction. Herbivores, for example, begin to thrive in environments where carnivores have died out or gone extinct. Without the balance provided by the predator-prey exchange, overpopulation of herbivores will battle for about the same species of plants, producing shortage or extinction.
This abnormal equilibrium has a negative impact on the ecosystem and food chain. Many animals perish from hunger when too many of the same animals fight for food availability. Other animals would be compelled to abandon their native habitats in quest of resources.
Reason #2: Hunting Can Rescue Some Animals
Hunting animals helps maintain many kinds of animals thriving in several areas, particularly in Africa. Several poor communities and territories in Africa lack the funds and facilities to sustain appropriate wildlife reserves or hire state troopers to prevent poachers from killing wildlife indiscriminately. Wildlife reserves in Africa may utilize cash raised by trophy hunting to avoid poaching and keep countless wildlife animals from becoming endangered.
Reason #3: It Helps The Ecosystem
Hunting is one of the most promising methods for controlling the wildlife animal population and raising funds to protect rare and endangered species. It is sometimes healthier for the environment to hunt and kill off certain animal species that may be dangerous for other animals. When an animal must be killed, it seems logical that it should be done in a way that helps the community, as hunters are ready to pay a high price for both the “opportunity” and “luxury.”
Reason #4: Some Countries Still Use Hunting As Means of Eating
Like certain areas in Africa, some countries use hunting as a method to get food on their table. And some use their hunts as a source of income. If we banned hunting overall, many would lose their source of income and food. Some of the top hunting destinations here in the world are:
- Tanzania
- Mozambique
- South Africa
- Namibia
- Montenegro
Reason #5: Meat That was Hunted is Much Fresher and Healthier
If you eat meat, wild captured animals possess a much happier life than most farmed animals in America. Wild-caught beef is one of the healthiest meat alternatives. Because the animals are grass-fed, the meat has more omega-3 fatty acids. Not only are wild-caught meats richer in protein, but they are also abundant in essential elements. Iron and zinc are two minerals found in considerably greater concentrations in wild hunted beef than in conventionally grown meat. Zinc helps maintain a healthy immune system, and iron is required for oxygen to reach organs and tissues. With wild hunted animals, you can get numerous health benefits.
Reason #6: Hunting is The Only Way to Control Deer Overpopulation
A few years ago, the overpopulation of white-tailed deer was at an all-time high. Deer conflicts were destroying many habitats and public lands in Illinois, known to be one of America’s best whitetail deer hunting destinations. Because their natural predators had no food source, there was no way to eliminate the deer collisions. The abundance of deer population is a real problem that many people – especially hunter – have been trying to solve for years. Many believe banning hunting outright will never work and only make deer conflicts more out of control. If you plan shooting deers, using a rifle scope is a must, this is because hunting deers are a little bit trickier as they are more sensitive to sound and smell. A rifle scope will help you get a more precise shot off the deer, even from afar.
Reason #7: Hunting is One of The Best Ways to Conserve Forests
Hunting is one of the best ways to help conserve forests. As hunters pay for permits before trophy hunting in a specific area, they are incentivized to keep the environment healthy and clean to produce a high timber yield. Hunters are also more likely to use sound forestry practices when managing forestland because they are interested in protecting their investment.
Conclusion
There are many benefits of both hunting and sport hunting, such as helping the ecosystem, preventing the risk of overpopulation in animals, decreasing the risk of mass extinction in animals, and of course, giving people their source of income. Not only that, but in some countries, hunting is their only way of getting protein on their tables. This is why hunting should not be banned as long as the hunters know their limits and are hunting ethically and morally. And, of course, hunters should never hunt endangered animals.
Author Profile
- Gabriel Tackett
- Gabriel Tackett is an experienced shooter and hunter for over 15 years with a degree in Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) officer for 10 years And his passion lies in teaching others how to safely enjoy the hobby by recommending the best practices & products in the gun industry.
- Holsters2022.03.04Best Barsony Holster
