Ethical Hunting Essay Example

into the kitchen, the father handed him a backpack containing lunch and helped him put on a fanny pack to store gloves and any discoveries made during their outing.

Excited about their dream of killing a buck, the man grabbed his gun and a pack filled with gear, and headed for the truck with the boy. Hunting, a tradition since the beginning of mankind, has been passed down through generations and provided food for hungry families.

Survival for certain families depended solely on their ability to hunt and collect food. Additionally, hunters have a significant impact on conservation initiatives, as evidenced by the U.S.'s findings.

Fish & Wildlife Service notes that hunting groups donate considerable funds and hours of work to support various conservation causes annually. Some examples of such organizations include the Boone & Crockett Club, National Wild Turkey Foundation (NWTF), and National Rifle Association (NRA), among others. As stated on the NRA's website, "Sportsmen contribute an additional $300 million each year to wildlife conservation activities. Hunters and fishermen fund almost 75% of the annual income for all fifty state conservation agencies" (Gale, "Hunting." Current Issues: Macmillan Social Science Library, 2010).

However, there are those who argue that portraying hunters as conservationists is simply ridiculous and a ploy to perpetuate tradition. They assert that hunting actually harms ecosystems and wildlife. These individuals maintain that nature itself is the most effective conservationist and that natural predators naturally keep animal populations in check. Without the involvement of hunters, non-predator species would adapt to compensate for the loss of offspring. It is through hunting that necessary measures can be taken to regulate breeding populations.

When hunting, it is important to keep

in mind that predators often go after weaker and younger animals. Healthy adults are able to bounce back from any losses and continue reproducing. Despite the term "trophy hunting" implying that killed animals are left behind, this is usually not the case. In fact, hunters frequently consume or donate the meat they obtain to groups like local soup kitchens. Iowa has taken measures to combat this issue through its HUSH (Help Us Stop Hunger) initiative.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported that hunters donated approximately 6,300 deer during the hunting seasons of 2010-2011. This resulted in the creation of 1.1 million meals for disadvantaged individuals residing in Iowa and had beneficial economic effects on the state.

The meat lockers that participate in processing each deer receive a payment of seventy-five dollars. Additionally, for every meal that is distributed by the Food Bank of Iowa, five dollars are allocated for administrative costs (DNR, 2012). People attribute different meanings to the word trophy, depending on what they consider to be a trophy. For some individuals, a trophy could be the heaviest animal hunted, while for others, it could be the animal with the biggest rack. Some people may feel successful even without having to kill anything. Other people question why hunters would travel to places like Africa to kill an animal and only bring back a mounted trophy, thinking that the animal was killed merely for the hunter's personal gain.

It is important to recognize that the meat obtained from hunting is crucial for local communities and their survival. Hunting parties often provide for villages by sharing their kills. However, there are those who hunt solely for antlers and

horns, wasting the valuable meat. As Russ Chastain states, these individuals are not true hunters but rather poachers (Chastain, 2012). Unfortunately, a trend of "Canned Hunts" has emerged as hunting gains popularity and becomes a part of the American dream.

Canned hunts refer to hunting on private land where the animals are confined and cannot escape from the hunter. According to PETA, such hunts involve animals that may be native to the area, brought in from elsewhere, or obtained from trafficking in surplus animals from zoos and circuses. The sole purpose of these hunts is to provide hunters with a trophy. However, I personally object to this form of hunting as it is unjust to the animals.

According to our forefathers, trophies are not the sole purpose of hunting. However, some believe it is the killing of the largest animal. For myself and others, hunting is more than just that, it involves the excitement of the pursuit and adventure, known as "Fair Chase Hunting." The Boone & Crockett Club has defined fair chase as the lawful pursuit and taking of any free roaming North American big game animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an unfair advantage over the animal.

According to the Macmillan Social Science Library (2010), due to the predictability of an animal's actions and the timing of their occurrence, hunting cannot be considered a genuine hunting experience. Nonetheless, for numerous individuals, outsmarting an animal is a reward in itself, with obtaining a trophy being an additional bonus. However, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) contend that animals endure slow and painful deaths when hunted and shot (Gale, 2008).

The aim

of a genuine athlete is to accomplish a prompt and painless elimination of the animal by focusing on vital organs, albeit not all creatures are dispatched in the most efficient way. The degree of importance placed on animal agony varies depending on the species. In 1949, the British Report of the Independent Committee of Inquiry into the Cruelty to Wild Animals acknowledged that emotional concern for animals frequently applies only to appealing or striking creatures like foxes, deer, and rabbits that can cause harm. However, rats are generally viewed as pests and elicit aversion despite their elevated intelligence and sensitivity (Gunn, 2001).

Despite the fact that many people overlook it, the action of luring animals with food to trap them is no different than going out with weapons to hunt and kill them. Although traps are designed to capture animals in a specific manner, often they catch them by the tail or foot, rendering them unable to escape.

If traps are not checked regularly, animals may die slowly and painfully from starvation. While some argue that mouse traps should be considered cruel treatment of animals if hunting is viewed as such, it's important to recognize that all animals are not the same. Mike Lapierre, a hunter and booking agent for hunting trips, argues that he has never met someone who hunts solely for the pleasure of watching animals suffer (Lapierre, 2008). Similarly, I have never encountered anyone who enjoys killing animals purely for entertainment purposes. Of course, exceptions exist in all aspects of life.

When illegal poachers injure animals instead of killing them outright, the animals suffer for a longer period before death. It's crucial to acknowledge that

these poachers are criminals, similar to robbers who target convenience stores. Legitimate sportsmen should not be confused with these individuals.

Recall the tale of the father and son I shared at the start of this composition? It happens to be my own story with my father, imparting his knowledge of hunting and sportsmanship unto me. Despite our efforts, we failed to capture any prey that day or even that season. Nevertheless, we persisted in our attempts and acknowledged the intelligence of the deer. This experience taught me that while taking down an animal is no easy feat, it is not a significant benchmark. Rather, what stood out to us was the generation of cherished moments and strengthening of our interpersonal union, which surpass any hunt.

Although not everyone hunts, there are two types of people who do not engage in the activity. The first group consists of those who choose to refrain from hunting but still respect and appreciate the rights of others to participate. On the other hand, the second group includes anti-hunters who criticize hunting as unethical and immoral, condemning both hunters and their actions. Despite anti-hunters' existence, they have no authority to dictate our personal decisions.

The significance of preserving our traditions and safeguarding ourselves is exemplified by the practice of hunting, which has been passed down through generations since ancient times and even referenced in the Holy Scriptures. Genesis 3:21 portrays God utilizing animal hides to fashion clothing, while Genesis 9:3 permits Noah and his offspring to partake in the consumption of all forms of animals.

Throughout human history, animals have been utilized for the benefit of humans and this practice should continue

for as long as we exist.