Hunting

[workingatperfect]

How do you feel about hunting?

As an animal lover, I hate it and I'm absolutely against. My only exception is if you have to hunt in order to eat. If you're stranded in the woods and have no choice, ok. That's survival, you do what you have to.

But killing animals for fun just seems so sick to me.

[Lost in the Echo]

I'm completely against hunting. In my opinion, animals have as much of a right to be here on earth, as humans do.
I don't really see the need to kill animals, unless it's done, out of self-defense.

[tundravortex]

Now I hunt but actualy do something with it,not only that I grew up hunting and its a part of my culture so to me its alright,now I eat the meat and make stuff out of the skin like jewelry,ect.....I dont waste it for nothing

[workingatperfect]

Now I hunt but actualy do something with it,not only that I grew up hunting and its a part of my culture so to me its alright,now I eat the meat and make stuff out of the skin like jewelry,ect.....I dont waste it for nothing

See, a lot of people use that argument to make it seem more humane and ok, but no matter what you're doing with the animal afterwards, killing it wasn't necessary in the first place. Unless, like I said, it was necessary to your survival.

Just a note, because this is bound to come up, I don't like the thought of cows, pigs and chickens being killed either. Yes, I still eat them despite feeling incredibly guilty about it. But the way I see it is, if I don't eat it, my mom is still going to buy the same amount of meat, those animals still would have died, etc.

[Desuetude]

It seems like a pretty pointless idea to me. For fun? Stupid. To survive? Acceptable. I mean there are such things as clay targets. Hunting is becoming less accepted than it has in the past and I'm glad, the majority of us have no need to hunt. I'm not so much of an animal lover myself but I just see it as being completely pointless when you can just go the the shops and get yourself a tender cut of meat.

[MusicMaker99]

Hunting regulates animal populations, which has more benefits than problems. 1) It lowers the risk of diseases spreading through animal populations. 2) Lowers the risk of people being killed in vehicle/animal accidents. Most states regulate how many animals can be hunted a year based on animal populations. It is healthy for the ecosystem.

[workingatperfect]

Hunting regulates animal populations, which has more benefits than problems. 1) It lowers the risk of diseases spreading through animal populations.

By killing animals that may or may not be carrying a disease? That's kind of flawed logic. You could be killing a bunch of healthy animals and all the carriers are still roaming the woods.


2) Lowers the risk of people being killed in vehicle/animal accidents.

Rabbits, fish, geese, squirrels....

And as Bo said, I think they have just as much right to be here as we do. We don't go killing people with hepatitis or AIDS because it would lower the spread of those diseases, now do we?

[Abyssal Echo]

I'm not a hunter but do have relatives that do so I get to enjoy a Deer steak or burger occasionally. I'm also an animal lover and think they have a right to life the same as we do. but I'm not a P.E.T.A supporter I think those people are a bit extream.
I do not know where you live but where I live mice, rats, squirrels, coons, possums, skunks, coyotes, and yes even Deer are a growing problem that personally I don't want to share my house, barn or food with.

[Dooby the potato god]

Animals hunt animals in the wild. We're just another threat to them.

We are easy to avoid most of the time, so a lot of the time the animals are being careless.

Not saying I'm for it or against it.

[workingatperfect]

Animals in the wild hunt each other for survival. Food, self defense, etc. Most humans hunt for fun.

[Guillermo]

Hunting for sport isn't a bad thing at all. Population control is the big issue - not only for humans but for the environment and animals that live there. If the population of a certain species isn't controlled then the food chain runs a risk of being messed up. For example, too many herbivores in the food chain and not enough carnivores - that's a problem. Ecosystems only have enough vegetation to support a certain amount of animals. An excess of herbivores (like rabbits, deer, etc.) means that the vegetation in the environment will be strained to supply the demand of these animals. Also, I'd like to point out that hunting for invasive species that screw up the environment is definitely good. Pythons in the Everglades for example. It's unfortunate that we introduced them there in the first place, but they don't belong there.

I'd also like to add that I've no respect for hunters who purely kill for fun and don't actually use the meat and properly dispose of the rest.

[MusicMaker99]

Hunting for sport isn't a bad thing at all. Population control is the big issue - not only for humans but for the environment and animals that live there. If the population of a certain species isn't controlled then the food chain runs a risk of being messed up. For example, too many herbivores in the food chain and not enough carnivores - that's a problem. Ecosystems only have enough vegetation to support a certain amount of animals. An excess of herbivores (like rabbits, deer, etc.) means that the vegetation in the environment will be strained to supply the demand of these animals. Also, I'd like to point out that hunting for invasive species that screw up the environment is definitely good. Pythons in the Everglades for example. It's unfortunate that we introduced them there in the first place, but they don't belong there.

I'd also like to add that I've no respect for hunters who purely kill for fun and don't actually use the meat and properly dispose of the rest.

This ^^

I agree completely and it's what I was going for in my earlier post...I just didn't take the time to write it as well as he did.

[Horizon]

Of course animals have as much right to be here as we do, right? Or else they wouldn't be here. It doesn't matter to me whether someone hunts for fun or for food. You don't see us telling animals its wrong for killing us. It's just something I like to call, natural selection, or it simpler terms, survival of this fittest. And that is just limited to physical fitness, but also mental fitness. I am not saying the human's are the smartest species on the planet, I honestly wouldn't know, but we were smart enough to develop weapons to hunt the animals.

I know it seems "unfair" or "inhumane" because with our fancy weapons, all the animals can do is run. But lets look at an example:

A young antelope is eating what ever it eats, peacefully. It is almost unaware of the danger behind it, the danger watching it. This danger is a lion. The lion springs, and the antelope takes off running. The lion is faster, and stronger then the antelope, and gets it, and eats it. You'll probably say "well that's nature". Well, how is that any different then what we do? It's all natural selection. It may seem inhumane to kill animals that way, but it wasn't like thousands of years ago, so why should it be different now?

I am not saying you have to agree with me, this is just how I feel about the matter.

[Akasuki]

Being vegan, I think you know my views on hunting.

"Hunting is not a sport. In a sport, both sides should know that they're in the game."

I think it's hypocritical of someone to say that they love animals but then support the death of them. Survival is okay but you don't need meat, fur, milk, etc to survive. Otherwise I'd be dead right now. The only time I would ever support killing an animal is if you do it when you're stuck without modern technology out in the wild or whatever and you have no other choice but to. That's when survival of the fittest comes in.

"Why should it be different now?"

Well, considering we have human intelligence and we have the technology and resources to feed on a purely vegan diet, then it's not like we need to eat an animal or drink their milk to survive. It's not like it was a thousand years ago.
Also, comparing a human to a lion isn't accurate. A lion is a carnivore. It cannot feed off of plants. It needs that antelope to survive. However, we do not. It's proven that humans aren't even made to be omnivores... We have more herbivore traits than we do omnivore.

[frankie97]

I like meat.... I approve hunting *stamps letter

[MisterSix]

What about culling animals?

[Jess]

I'm against hunting for fun. If it's for food, that's fine (or self defense).

[azorne]

There's a lot of food that can't be prepared without hunting animals. Many traditional French game recipes, for instance.

[Sir Suomi]

*Facepalm* Alright let me explain.
Hunting, contrary to popular belief, is actually GOOD for the environment, when it's properly managed. It's all about population control. Think about it: If a population of animals become to large, it will start to die out, due to lack of space, resources, etc. Deer can quickly grow in population size if not kept in check by predators. And in most cases, a deer has a limited amount of natural predators(Mountain Lions, larger reptiles, etc.) That's why hunters are required. As long as hunters do not kill too many animals(Which is regulated by the purchasing hunting licences), the animal population will stay at a healthy size.
Also, as a hunter myself, I personally do not consider it "for fun" when I hunt. Sure, I do enjoy it, and it is a natural adrenaline rush. But hunting is more about killing animals. It teaches you to have self-control, a sharp mind, and above all, patience. I've come to respect nature, and all of it's inhabitants.
So next time you think hunting is unnecessary, remember what I've said. Good day.

Edit: Also, on a side note, unless you are like Roxi and Vegan, you really are being thoughtless when you say "hunting animals is inhumane", while you munch on a burger from your local fast food joint(Or anything with meat in it). If anything, the slaughter of pigs, cows, and other domestic animals is MUCH worse. At least with hunting, the animal has a fair chance. If it's sharp enough, it will avoid you. No hunter is completely invisible from animals. It's when the animal becomes careless and wonders out is where it will meet it's demise, whether it be human or another predator.

[dontfiguremeout]

I honestly think it depends where you grow up! If you live in the country side of your country, you will think hunting is the best since you grow up on the farms or wherever and you love to hunt for your own food. Now if your a city person, you probably will think hunting isn't your thing, because you're more into the animal itself and how they are just like people and stuff like that. Honestly it's alright for both people! Each type of group is different, and I don't really think it matters what group you're in.

[CharlieFinley]

I'm completely against hunting. In my opinion, animals have as much of a right to be here on earth, as humans do.
I don't really see the need to kill animals, unless it's done, out of self-defense.

To establish a moral equivalence between humans and animals is to adopt moral relativism. To adopt moral relativism in this context is to accept that the actions of animals are just as moral as the actions of humans. Animals kill for fun.

[Castle of Glass]

here is my thoughts on hunting. Firstly i LOVE animals. Every single animal, be it insects, mammals, reptiles or birds or what not. But despite being an animal lover, i also love hunting. Sport hunting(killing an animal for hide, skull, tusks, horns, or claws) is what i do not like. But lets saw you have a rouge elephant and lets say he is destroying villages. Despite it not being technically "sport" hunting, IMHO the hunter should be able to keep some sort of memory as an elephant hunt is pretty emotional. I saw a show where they hunted a rouge elephant. All of the meat went to about 100 different villages who get about 1 hot meal a week. But then again, there are outfitters in Africa who make a large bit of the countries economy from sport hunting. It is the way of life and it works as it is properly controlled. Now I someone is hunting/killing pest like Foxes or Rabbits, that should also be allowed, as rabbits can be used for food and foxes pelts are pretty well valued. but this should also be controlled UNLESS there is a constant increase of the animal.

I come from a country where nearly everyone has hunted at some point in their life and i plan to hunt when i turn 18 and can own a Rifle legally in Finland. You guys(including me) said that sport hunting should not be allowed. Have you seen what a lot of "sport" hunters do with their kill, they don't leave the animal in the woods to rot, they take it back, skin them, cut the meat(which they eat), take the skull(if it was a buck) and most likely frame it. Also you people say humans should not hunt unless it is for food or self defense. Have you ever thought about it this way: Humans are animals who hunt other animals. Not ever single hunt wild animals do are for food(most are, but not all). That is like the concept of sport hunting.

Hate on me for supporting Hunting and loving animals. To me Hunting is just as effective as Protecting them.

[Gwen]

I don't have an issue with it, human's and animals have hunted since...forever. And they didn't always do it for food, animals use it for sport/recreation. You can't really argue with that and we also use the parts after hunting them so it's been done for agesssssssssss.

[workingatperfect]

take the skull(if it was a buck) and most likely frame it. .

For me, this is the sickest part. I just don't see how a civilized person could have the head of something they killed on their wall. I couldn't live with myself knowing I purposely killed an animal. I sure as hell would want to keep it as a trophy. It's disgusting.

[Sir Suomi]

For me, this is the sickest part. I just don't see how a civilized person could have the head of something they killed on their wall. I couldn't live with myself knowing I purposely killed an animal. I sure as hell would want to keep it as a trophy. It's disgusting.

Why does one take a trophy after winning an important game?

Because he/she wants to have it serve as a reminder of the hard work he/she has done. It's the same as mounting an animal. Hunters work very hard to get an animal, and even though they might spend the whole day out in the field, they still might not get anything, even though they tried everything they could. Very rarely, you will get an animal worth mounting, and mounting is VERY expensive, mind you, and it's not something that you do on any random animal you happen to get. Also, most people do not strictly go for mounts, although some do(Which disgusts me too), most actually are in it for the meat, skin, etc. The antlers just happen to be a package deal.

[Castle of Glass]

For me, this is the sickest part. I just don't see how a civilized person could have the head of something they killed on their wall. I couldn't live with myself knowing I purposely killed an animal. I sure as hell would want to keep it as a trophy. It's disgusting.
What is so sick about a sparkling clean white skull? It is like a trophy from a basketball tournament or something similar. My Uncle has a huge moose skull in his house, one of the biggest ever shot in Finland, so he earned it, and he framed it. Have you ever gone fishing? That is also hunting, even if your doing it for food, you are purposely killing an animal.

[Professional Russian]

For me, this is the sickest part. I just don't see how a civilized person could have the head of something they killed on their wall. I couldn't live with myself knowing I purposely killed an animal. I sure as hell would want to keep it as a trophy. It's disgusting.

If you shoot something big enough like my 10 point that you probably wont see again you gonna mount that bitch. like i did

[workingatperfect]

I'm sorry, but to me it's a tad barbaric. Killing it is one thing, but to then cut the head off, have it stuffed and preserved, and then hang it on the wall... I actually cried once because I went in someone's house and they had a dear head on their wall, looking at me with those poor, innocent eyes. I had to leave. It was incredibly upsetting and I find it kind of sad that you guys can be so cold to animals.

And you can not equate a plastic/metal trophy to the real head of an animal. Not even close to comparable.

[kayleethegray]

I personally enjoy hunting, I think it's an amazing thing to kill the food I eat. I can barely wait to go deer/antelope hunting with my dad this fall. I'm pretty right winged when it comes to gun rights and hunting. I also have a goal in life to go moose hunting in the Yukon with my dad and get it taxidermized, because I think that moose are amazing creatures, and since I can't keep a moose in my backyard, I want a lasting reminder of how amazing I know that hunt will be.

[Sir Suomi]

I'm sorry, but to me it's a tad barbaric. Killing it is one thing, but to then cut the head off, have it stuffed and preserved, and then hang it on the wall... I actually cried once because I went in someone's house and they had a dear head on their wall, looking at me with those poor, innocent eyes. I had to leave. It was incredibly upsetting and I find it kind of sad that you guys can be so cold to animals.

And you can not equate a plastic/metal trophy to the real head of an animal. Not even close to comparable.

Then you are going to not have a fun time when you see what they've done to Walt Disney...

[AbbaZabba]

I would never hunt, but if it is used, I am not against it. Not into the stuffing of your kill, it should be about providing. I also feel that the hides should be used as well. If you are going to hunt, don't waste anything.

[CharlieFinley]

I'm sorry, but to me it's a tad barbaric. Killing it is one thing, but to then cut the head off, have it stuffed and preserved, and then hang it on the wall... I actually cried once because I went in someone's house and they had a dear head on their wall, looking at me with those poor, innocent eyes. I had to leave. It was incredibly upsetting and I find it kind of sad that you guys can be so cold to animals.



Why? does it care? The head is useless and inedible. Does destroying or burying the head somehow bring it back? Just because you think it's icky doesn't make it wrong.