10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Hunting

Like every other endeavor, humans get involved in hunting as it has its own pros and cons. The thing is; hunting arguably has been a form of securing food for humans since the inception of man. People go hunting as a type of game, food, a source of leather, etc. People also hunt for status or cultural reasons, maybe as a rite of passage into teen-hood or adulthood. Hunting has provided several other values and challenges to man. Hence there are different schools of thought on the relevance or not of hunting today.

Some people argue that hunting is an honorable profession and valuable economic activity. Other persons think that hunting should be banned out-rightly maybe to help preserve animal life from extinction or painful death. Therefore, let’s explore some of these 10 pros and cons of hunting today:

10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Hunting

Advantages

1. It provides a cheaper source of meat

In some clime, there are people who live on the meat they hunt. Those who depend on animal hunting might not be able to get food to eat without such activities. Hunting also avails such person’s access to their required daily ration of protein. In such locality, hunters could hunt for meat, feed on some and then sell off the remainder to purchase other items for food.

Besides people who get lost inside the wood depends on hunted animals as a source of food till relief comes.

2. Hunting is a source of Revenue

Hunting creates multiple streams of income for individuals and the government. In those cultures where animal hunting occurs often, these animals serve as food. Their animal skin could be used as blankets and other clothing, or antlers tools.

Apart from the individuals, the government earns revenues from hunting activities. Would be hunters usually pay for a hunting license or specific hunting for instance.

3. Helps manage wildlife population

Allowing the animal population to grow exponentially and unchecked could result in fatal situations. Animals eat up varied species of crops or destroy properties once close to the human residence or community. Also, animals sometimes cause vehicular accidents or attack the human population. Therefore, hunting serves as a means to balance the ecosystem by checkmating the animal population.

4. It serves as a form of exercise

Hunting is a very engaging activity that involves the use of key parts of the body. To go on a successful hunting expedition one has to walk a long distance or mountain climb. One also has to sometimes climb trees, set up a shade or camp, might need to make a run, etc. Hunting can do great wonders for the hunter’s health.

5. Hunting is guided by Regulation

In most cities, hunting cannot be carried out without a license. To obtain the license the individual must have undergone specific training to guide hunting practice. This training helps to ensure endangered species of animals cannot be hunted. It also ensures strict regulations, limitations for hunters such as not hunting outside the season, overhunting, where to hunt, etc. Hunting regulations also consider proximity to human populations, how to hunt, etc. Such regulations, therefore, make hunting safe and reduce the chances of accidents during hunting. Defaulters usually would face the wrath of the law when caught.

Disadvantages

1. Could result in the extinction of particular species

There have been cases of overhunting of some animal kinds in the past resulting in those species going extinct or endangered. Overhunting can also result in an imbalance in the ecosystem. Several reports have confirmed that no less than 13 animals have become extinct due to overhunting in the past two centuries. Examples of endangered species of animals include the passenger pigeon, Tasmanian tiger, Quagga, etc.

2. It can cause fatal accidents

Hunting has on some occasions resulted in accidents before. Hunting especially without sticking to the rules could lead to serious injuries or death to other humans. Carelessness during hunting can be dangerous to other members of a hunting team, passersby and even the hunter himself. And that’s the reason for security, education, and regulations to stem the tide of careless hunting.

3. It is more of a sport and tradition

Hunting is a tradition passed down from one generation to the other. In some societies, you have generations of great hunters known to have captured some rare animal species. That becomes a motivation for continued hunting either as a competition (sports) or culture. However, earliest hunters hunted more for a source of meat and revenue source than anything else. But current hunters do so more for the trophy. This is one major reason animal rights activists frown at hunting. It appears to the right activist as a form of man’s inhumanity to animals, exposing them to a painful death. In actual fact, most meat consumption for society is not based on hunting but animal/ cattle rearing.

4. It could be a costly venture

The whole process required before one becomes a full-fledged hunter might be a bit cost-prohibitive. First, the cost of acquiring the needed hunting gear, clothing, firearms or bows, etc. could be astronomical. Some of them require additional accessories as well such as a scope for a rifle. Also, to qualify for a hunting license might require some form of funding not less than $20. In some situations, hunters might be required to pay certain other fees to hunt a particular type of animal. All these and more add up to the overall cost of hunting which might be quite expensive for some.

5. Cases of unethical issues

Poorly trained or careless hunters can complicate issues for others by their unethical practices. Some persons could go hunting for fun. Others carelessly kill and dispose of the carcass resulting in health implication for others. These unwholesome activities during hunting could also result in a legal tussle with animal rights activist.

Hunting definitely has its pros and cons represented in the various schools of thoughts for and against. But the central philosophy of any would be hunter should be preserving the animal population. With total adherence to animal hunting regulatory laws, one can better preserve the ecosystem. As much as traditional hunting practices and hunting for sports or gaming remains humans would forever live with the benefits and dangers of hunting. But we could better strike a balance by our actions always.

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Brian Morgan works as a data analyst in a private farm. He is a hobby hunter who loves everything about hunting. Writing about hunting gears and experiences is one of the many things he does during his spare time.