Why Is Hunting Ethical

Hunting or Killing?

Is hunting a moral or ethical practice in today’s society? Can we justify the killing of wild animals for food, clothing, or for sport. It has long been a fact of life that the human race has had to hunt in order to survive. But in this new age of technology were everything we need to survive can be found on a supermarket shelf, then why do we still hunt animals? It’s not out of necessity that many Americans continue to hunt, but rather the life experience and the respect of nature that is gained through the act of hunting. Some believe that hunting is just about killing, and that it holds no real life value. They consider it to be a blood sport, having only one purpose, the killing of animals. The animal rights activist will have you believe that animals are slaughtered without purpose
and in inhumane ways. The antihunter will have you think that hunting contributes to gun related violent crimes and shooting accidents. The truth about hunting is that it is a natural, ethical, and socially responsible sport. Hunting has been given a bad image by animal rights activists that claim it is a barbaric blood sport in which men with guns shoot everything thing in the woods that moves. Many people that are critical of hunting have never even experienced it, most only know what they have seen on television, or read in a magazine. They imagine blood, guts, and the scene in bambie where his mother is killed. What is it that makes hunting so cruel to the animals that are killed? It’s much less brutal than how pigs, cows, chickens, and other supermarket animals are killed. Why has the hunter been targeted as a cruel animal killer, and not the slaughter houses that supply the world’s supermarkets? Its all about perception, many have lost sight of what it takes to stock those store shelves, billions of animals raised in cramped pins and cages only to be killed for the sole purpose of eating. But the hunter is condemned for killing a wild free range animal, one that at least has a chance and is given a fair chance at life. Hunting is more than just killing animals; it’s a life experience that enriches the lives of those who truly understand what hunting is all about. Hunting is about spending time in nature, away from the stresses of modern life. Hunting is a way to forget about work and clear your mind in the peaceful quiet woodland setting. Some of the best times I have had hunting, I was just enjoying the beauty of the woods, the color of the fall leaves on the trees, the smell of fresh pine, the way the morning frost makes every thing shimmer at first light, its truly refreshing to take a day and spend it in nature. The true hunter is a conservationist, they are always trying to improve and preserve the sport for future generations. A hunter never kills an animal he dose not intend to eat, he never takes a shot that when he is not sure of a kill, and will never take an animal that is with its young. Hunting is about camaraderie, and the company of his fellow man that enjoy the sport as he dose. A hunter view is this, “Life feeds on life, and life gives life to life. The hunter in success understands this great truth as no other human possibly can. It’s not about death. It’s about life. “(Ward) This of course is not always the case, buy the sport dose not need to be persecuted by the actions of a few, instead it needs to be judged on the actions of the many. Hunting has been a great thing in my life. It has been my experience that the best way to promote gun safety is to know how to use a gun, and handle it safely. I was first introduced to guns when I was only seven years old. Some may say that it’s too young to handle a gun, but understand I was supervised very carefully. It’s important to know how a gun works, and how to safely clean and operate a gun. If properly trained and coached on how to handle and store guns they can be very safe. Most cases of gun accidents involve pore storage of guns and or ammo. If proper safety steps are followed such as storing ammo separate from guns, and locking all guns and ammo in a safe, then the chance of children getting hurt is very minimal. Learning gun safety at a young age leads to a great respect for guns and the power the posses. Knowledge is the key to gun safety, and respect is the key to preventing gun violence in youth. The prosecution that hunting has come under is unwarranted and completely unfounded.
Hunting has done more to promote wildlife conservation than animal rights activists have ever done. The man responsible for the entire wildlife conservation program in the United States, Teddy Roosevelt was also an avid hunter. He believed that his passion for hunting was also a way to preserve the sport for generations to come. Hunting is one of the few true great American pastimes, but it is being threatened by people that have know understanding of what hunting really is all about, they don’t see the pure beauty of the sport. As the great writer Henry David Thoreau wrote “Go fish and hunt far and wide day by day - farther and wider - and rest thee by many brooks and hearth-sides without misgiving. Remember thy creator in the days of thy youth. Rise free from care before dawn, and seek adventure. Let the noon find thee by other lakes, and the night overtakes thee everywhere at home. There are no larger fields than these, no worthier games man may here be played.”(Ward) Hunters hunt not only for the kill and meat, but for the timeless experience of the hunt
itself.