Views on hunting

[Midnight Beat]

I know there are some people who generally approve of hunting, those who think it is morally wrong and some who are in between. So I would like to know your view on this subject. I am open-minded and respect other peoples opinions so give to me.

My opinion:
I think as long as the person hunting isn't just doing it to compete to who can get the bigger/better animal it is fine. If the hunter is going to put the animal to use, it is fine by me. But, this may come from the fact that I myself am a hunter, my dad is a hunter and both my grandfathers were too.

[Alex_]

Living in Kentucky almost everyone here has hunted or does hunt so being around it so much I'm perfectly fine with it. Whether the animal is going to be eaten or put on their wall as a trophy it's fine by me.

[Tr@ce]

I suppose if it's going to be eaten, then okay, but I think it's gross just to hang it on your wall, like a trophy. *shudders*

[Suki]

I think hunting is wrong if they are to be trophies for the hunter after. I don't think there's any point to this and the ways that some hunters hunt is cruel and makes the animal suffer terribly.
But if they are killing the animals because they need them for food or to make themselves warm, then that is ok. So that they are killing animals to survive basically. I don't think hunting for fun is right.

[Midnight Beat]

I think hunting is wrong if they are to be trophies for the hunter after. I don't think there's any point to this and the ways that some hunters hunt is cruel and makes the animal suffer terribly.
But if they are killing the animals because they need them for food or to make themselves warm, then that is ok. So that they are killing animals to survive basically. I don't think hunting for fun is right.

Your right there are some people out there who do use "inhumain" practices when hunting and to be honest it sickens me to think about it. When you say "I don't think there's any point to this...", do you mean the thread or hunting?

[Suki]

Your right there are some people out there who do use "inhumain" practices when hunting and to be honest it sickens me to think about it. When you say "I don't think there's any point to this...", do you mean the thread or hunting?

I meant the hunting. I think that this thread is pretty good. It lets people express their opinions about a quite important subject I think.

[pokejungle]

I would not qualify a 'trophy' as putting something to good use.

[Kuckiki]

I don't agree with hunting. I have never agreed with it. I don't see why people go out to kill animals just for trophies. I think it is quite sick and disgusting. I hate hunting when they use the dogs. Also when people hunt with guns they sometimes shoot the animal in a place that don't kill them instantly. My dad shot a pigeon with a gun and as he was going shoot it moved slightly and he ended up hurting it really bad but not killing it. I have never agreed with him shooting them. All hunting is bad in my opinion.

[Aorio]

Take a look at your teeth. We aren't carnivores. We're supposed to be vegetarians.
I do not believe in hunting. I hate it. >_< Sure, the animal will die eventually, but it will (hopefully x.o) die in a more natural way then a bullet or a knife. If you want to kill an animal to hang it on your wall as a trophy, or for competition, that is just wrong. It's cruel. How about I stick a knife in your heart and hang your butt up on my wall? I don't think killing an animal should be something to be, at all, proud of.

If you want to make a coat for yourself, I can understand that. But not making a thousand sweaters that has real fur on it for design. v.v

There's my opinion~ xD

[Midnight Beat]

I meant the hunting. I think that this thread is pretty good. It lets people express their opinions about a quite important subject I think.
Thanks, that's what I was going for.

I would not qualify a 'trophy' as putting something to good use.
Nethier do I, maybe I worded that wrong. I'll take another shot, if the animal is hunted and put to good use then if the hunter wants to make it into a mount or something like that I feel that would be more respectful to the animal than throwing it in the trash.

[Jaimes]

Hunting an animal for food = Normal. It's instinctive for others to survive.
Hunting an animal to control a population, prevent the spread of disease or to protect the existence of other organisms = Acceptable.
Killing an animal for its coat, despite there being many alternatives = Debateable, but nowadays quite looked down upon.

Hunting for sport, trophies or pleasure = Plain disgusting.

Animals have a right to live as we do. Humans are animals as well, just being more intelligent doesn't mean that it is acceptable for us to kill them for kicks.

[Alex_]

Lol.

You people don't seem to realize that people don't just use the animal as a trophy, they eat it too. They take the skin and antlers from the face and put it over a plastic mold so then the hunter has the rest of the body to eat.

[Jaimes]

Lol.

Since hunters eat every animal they shoot and mount. Like mountain lions, bears and coyotes for example.

[Midnight Beat]

Lol.

Since hunters eat every animal they shoot and mount. Like mountain lions, bears and coyotes for example.

Coyotes are concidered vermins in Texas and are hunted because if they are left alone they will go after livestock.

[Alex_]

Lol.

Since hunters eat every animal they shoot and mount. Like mountain lions, bears and coyotes for example.
Coyotes are shot by farmers since they are a pest, which is no different than killing a mouse in your house.

People eat bear.

People eat Mountain Lion.

[Manaphy1128]

if its for competion or a trophy,no.It should be reserved for food or else we will run out of meat.

[Warheart]

Dude, I'm almost entirely against hunting, sorry...

I mean, I guess it's acceptable with a liscense, and if the person who goes out and kills the animals uses their remains for a good use (IE food), but hunting just for sport absolutely sickens me; I'm in shock that someone would actually want to go out searching for an animal in their own environment, and be able to pull a trigger on anything, seeing the fear and pain in its eyes, just before it goes...

[Midnight Beat]

Dude, I'm almost entirely against hunting, sorry...

I mean, I guess it's acceptable with a liscense, and if the person who goes out and kills the animals uses their remains for a good use (IE food), but hunting just for sport absolutely sickens me; I'm in shock that someone would actually want to go out searching for an animal in their own environment, and be able to pull a trigger on anything, seeing the fear and pain in its eyes, just before it goes...

Wow, that was an really depresing post... There's no need to for an apology you are intitled to your opinion and I respect that. Also like I said before I too am aginst trophy hunting it seems to me that people could find better ways to spend there time than killing an animal just to say that they did.


Something that I found out last year when I went to get my deer licence was that in Texas you can get a hunting licence when your 7, yes it isn't a typo you only have to be 7 to get a hunting licence in Texas.

[burgundynite]

as long as they arent doing....overkill, then its fine i guess

[Craig²]

Hunting things like wild rabbits is okay, I supose.

But trophy hunting is inhumane and disgusting. Everytime a see a moose head or anything like that I want to vomit.I could never go through with killing any animal. I couldn't live with myself. Hunting is inhumane and wrong. For food and survival, I could understand, but in today's society in most cases you won't have to hunt for food. What murderface says about the pain and fear in the animal's eyes before you pull the trigger is so true. Once I had to get my dog put down and when I looked into his eyes he was asking me, "Why?" It was so deeply depressing. I feel much more depressed when an animal dies rather than when a human dies (unless it's my mother or my brothers).

Killing an animal to decrease population (i.e, Aussie's rabbits) is okay with me as long as they don't go to far and control it rather than completely destroy it. I can't stand the killing of canines though so killing creatures like cyotes or wolves sickens me deeply. Same with killing rats. That's why I cry whenever I read books like Where the Red Fern Grows or Old Yeller. Just typing this post has made my cry a little.


Sorry for having a heart, people.

[Disintegration]

Take a look at your teeth. We aren't carnivores. We're supposed to be vegetarians.

What numbnut says we are carnivores? We do have canines. They may be short, but they're still there. Take a good look at our diet. It only makes sense to call ourselves omnivores. There are archaeological records showing that humans always had an omnivorous diet, including meat. Now, we don't need to rely on meat to survive though. It's just a matter of choice.
I just hate how some vegetarian freaks contrast humans with carnivores. >__<!

Anyways, I feel a bit in the middle when it comes to hunting. But it only seems to be a hobby, or should I say, a game. People collect moose heads to hang above their fireplace, collecting rabbit tails because they are supposedly "good luck," and for brags. I see no good reason coming out of hunting, other than food.

[Shinji_]

I think hunting is just fine, i'm not really bothered by people doing it I just won't do it myself. And putting it up as a Trophy Yuck xD

[yvette]

I think hunting for the pure fun of it is wrong because you are upsetting the animal's delicate eco-system. If I shot a doe, and it had babies to tend to, the babies would die if they had no food, or would be eaten by a predator. Imagine if they were the only deer there. That would mean that carnivorous predators, like wolves/foxes would run out of food, and start hunting other animals who would also be affected because the predator is hunting them down so much.

Oh, and we are omnivorous, but some of us are vegetarian (me).

Wit before word. Buddha died of eating bad pork.

[Midnight Beat]

If I shot a doe, and it had babies to tend to, the babies would die if they had no food, or would be eaten by a predator.

This is where knowledge and etiquette comes in. From the day they are born to the day that they leave thier mothers care, fawns rarely leave thier mother's side and it is down right sick to hunt a doe and or any female animal when the hunter sees that it has children to attend to. However I say this only to inform and I do respect your opinion.

[Bleach and Sunshine]

Me and Eliana used to have a movement on hunting. I miss Eli. ._.

Eating for survival is one thing but I'm not a fan of it as a sport. Sadly, it one of those things that cannot be abolished completely. It's just a act of human nature.

[yvette]

This is where knowledge and etiquette comes in. From the day they are born to the day that they leave thier mothers care, fawns rarely leave thier mother's side and it is down right sick to hunt a doe and or any female animal when the hunter sees that it has children to attend to. However I say this only to inform and I do respect your opinion.

Why thank you. Like the Aboriginal people, I say to hunt only if needed, and even if they did hunt, the Aboriginal people would treat their food with respect. They'd have a parade the day they'd hunt a bear, and they'd use every bit of any animal they hunt. Some hunters, on the other hand, won't even take the dead body of the animal. They'll just leave it there, and go look for their next victim.

[Punishment]

Well here is a basic run down of my opinion.

I disapprove of hunting as a sport and game. Hunting is okay in my eyes if and only if it is for the purpose of food in order to survive.

[Alex_]

Hunting things like wild rabbits is okay, I supose.

But trophy hunting is inhumane and disgusting. Everytime a see a moose head or anything like that I want to vomit.I could never go through with killing any animal. I couldn't live with myself. Hunting is inhumane and wrong. For food and survival, I could understand, but in today's society in most cases you won't have to hunt for food. What murderface says about the pain and fear in the animal's eyes before you pull the trigger is so true. Once I had to get my dog put down and when I looked into his eyes he was asking me, "Why?" It was so deeply depressing. I feel much more depressed when an animal dies rather than when a human dies (unless it's my mother or my brothers).

Killing an animal to decrease population (i.e, Aussie's rabbits) is okay with me as long as they don't go to far and control it rather than completely destroy it. I can't stand the killing of canines though so killing creatures like cyotes or wolves sickens me deeply. Same with killing rats. That's why I cry whenever I read books like Where the Red Fern Grows or Old Yeller. Just typing this post has made my cry a little.


Sorry for having a heart, people.

When it comes to an animal needing to be put down, it's for the best. Your veteranarian would not put it down for no reason, it knows when the animal is suffering.

[Ullion]

I read the first 15 or so posts, then got tired of all the "ews, hunting is disgusting and inhumane" crap. D:

I understand and acknowledge the afct y'all got the right to your own opinions, but IMO, they're all crappy ones. First of all, humans since the begining of time have eaten meat and hunted animals to survive. If they didn't eat meat back then, our whole race would be completely different, and for all we know (since it might, or might now happen) the human race may have ceased to exist if our ancestors never ate meat because it was too "disgusting" and "inhumane".

Also, if anyone throws out the crap, "Killing live things and eating them is horrible", well geez, what would we eat then, rocks? Anything people eat comes from living things, YES, plants ARE alive. o.O If you want me to put this in an analagy (I think thats what its caleld?), then picking apples (as an example), its exactly like taking away someones baby and eating them.

Geez, now I forget some stuff I was gunna say. Well, carrying one...

Hunting for sport is okay in my opinion as well. I'm quite sure the animal is still turned into food for people to eat. Same goes with trophies and stuff, since people mount heads; which we don't eat. We also don't eat animal hides, we use them to make coats and whatnot which keeps us warm in the winter.

Darn, I hate it when I am only part way through rants, and I completely forget most of the stuff I was gunna say. SO I'll prolly post again or somethin'.

edit: P.S., I'm not sorry for anything I said in my post. If you don't like it, too bad and don't complain.

editx2: Ahh I remebered somethin'! The only thing (i can think of) that I am against thats related to hunting is if a guy goes *boom!* and kills an animal, walks off laughing and going, "LOLZ I LYKE, SO KILLED YOU! HA!1!!11!!one" kinda thing. I mean like... if you're gunna kill it, put it to good use, mkays?!

[Cex]

All right listen, hunting has three essential purposes;

1. Lower animal population (sometimes that's needed, believe it or not)
2. Give omnivores and carnivores something to live off of. Face it, we're not all vegetarian, and some of us don't want to be vegetarian.
3. For fun, it's a sport.

1. Honestly, sometimes there's just too much of an species in one place, and you have to kill them off. I'm fine with that because it has a good enough cause. And, if the animal isn't an elephant or something, it won't remember! Geez, I mean, kill them off, let the rest get on with their lives, for Christ's sake, it's not that bad to kill an animal for a reasonable cause.
2. As an omnivore, I need to eat meat. Seriously, fish doesn't cut it, and vegetation alone definitely doesn't. I know it's a bit selfish, but I would kill an animal to let myself live. Seriously, simple motto; Kill or be killed. I'd kill to let myself live, and since you don't get put in jail charged with murder to kill an animal, that's the way I'll live. I have to eat meat, k? k.
3. All right.. hunting, I mean.. It's all right. I'm not 100% for it, but not 100% against it. It's a sport just like any other sport. Sure, it involves killing, just be thankful it's not like Manhunt. Honestly, a sport involving killing human beings would be inhumane, but hunting.. not so much.
I, myself, don't hunt, but I wouldn't mind learning how to.

Anyways.. that's my share.. >_>

[Craig²]

When it comes to an animal needing to be put down, it's for the best. Your veteranarian would not put it down for no reason, it knows when the animal is suffering.

True enough however my dog was actually recovering, but my parents disliked him because of his howling problem, which is common in beagles anyway. He was on medications for his problem, which was treatable, and was getting better but they used his problem as an excuse to put him down. I'm glad that he was rid of his pain but I really loved him so it hurts anyway ~

[Random]

2. As an omnivore, I need to eat meat. Seriously, fish doesn't cut it, and vegetation alone definitely doesn't. I know it's a bit selfish, but I would kill an animal to let myself live. Seriously, simple motto; Kill or be killed. I'd kill to let myself live, and since you don't get put in jail charged with murder to kill an animal, that's the way I'll live. I have to eat meat, k? k.


I guess that proves Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection :P, but i agree with you Marz, you need meat, especially protein.

[yvette]

I guess that proves Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection :P, but i agree with you Marz, you need meat, especially protein.

You don't have to eat meat in order to get protein. Some vegetables can give you protein too. I'm vegetarian, and I'm fine.

Has anyone here ever been to a slaughterhouse?

[Craig²]

You don't have to eat meat in order to get protein. Some vegetables can give you protein too. I'm vegetarian, and I'm fine.

Has anyone here ever been to a slaughterhouse?


Yes, I have, and I never ever want to go again.

Nor do I want to see where they keep their veil ever again. @__@

*sigh* Apparently, though, we need meat despite vegetables. I can actually say that I'm not a vegetarian, mainly because my family isn't and my dad makes really good steaks...

[Sumomo & Kotoko]

If your going to eat the animal then fine, hunt.

But if your just doing it to shoot something then thats just stupid,
can't you find something better to do with your time then going around pointlessly killing animals?


durkadurk~

[wolfie1177]

It's alright if you hunt to eat, but I don't like hunting for fun. It just seems a little barbaric, deer and stuff are really peaceful and we go around shooting them for the hell of it.

[Alex_]

You don't have to eat meat in order to get protein. Some vegetables can give you protein too. I'm vegetarian, and I'm fine.

Has anyone here ever been to a slaughterhouse?
I've seen animals slaughtered.

Point?

[IAmTheWalrus]

As many others have said, I think hunting is right when you need to do it to survive.

[Craig²]

I've seen animals slaughtered.

Point?

She's saying that it's disgusting and inhumane, obviously ~

But that we do it regardless ~

[Alex_]

She's saying that it's disgusting and inhumane, obviously ~

But that we do it regardless ~
Well not everything in the world can be "kawaii" and wonderful, that's just how life is.

I've seen animals slaughtered yet I still eat meat and don't feel bad about it.

[~*!*~Queen Boo~*!*~]

I'm in the middle because if I said that hunting is okay and I'm eating meat then that makes me a hypocrite but I'm against it if people are doing it for fun


:t354:TG

[Skunter]

Hunting opinions, huh? I only approve of hunting for food, not sport. I like animals and can't stand it when people kill them just for the fun of it.

[Brock_Lee]

Take a look at your teeth. We aren't carnivores. We're supposed to be vegetarians.
I do not believe in hunting. I hate it. >_< Sure, the animal will die eventually, but it will (hopefully x.o) die in a more natural way then a bullet or a knife. If you want to kill an animal to hang it on your wall as a trophy, or for competition, that is just wrong. It's cruel. How about I stick a knife in your heart and hang your butt up on my wall? I don't think killing an animal should be something to be, at all, proud of.

If you want to make a coat for yourself, I can understand that. But not making a thousand sweaters that has real fur on it for design. v.v

There's my opinion~ xD

Wow, that was extremely ignorant of you to say. Hunting is a way of life, no matter how you look at it. We cannot simply depend on vegatables for every bit of nutrition we need for our bodies. Otherwise meat would serve as no purpose at all. We have been hunting for food ever since we were around. Also, depending on how an animal is killed, it's not cruel at all compared to some fates that may have been in store for them. Some animals eat other animals alive. They kill others to live and thrive. It's all a part of the food chain and we're a part of it as well. We aren't some alien race that shouldn't have anything to do with animals; we are a part of nature which gives us the right to hunt animals for food, clothing, etc.

Also, our teeth, aren't made specifacally for greens. Some of our teeth are a little sharper than others, allowing us to chew meat better. We're omnivores and that's enough of a right for us to hunt. We do our job in anture to control animal populations because we are a part of nature (how many times have I said that now?). If we didn't hunt, than animal populations would explode and it would make it harder for us to eat the vegetables we grow, and competition for land would be even worse, as well as more dangerous.

On the topic of hunting animals for sport, it really doesn't bother me too much, although I do find a waste of a perfectly good animal (that is unless another animal comes to eat your kill after some time). "Hunting is inhumane", tell that to a lion.

[Grovyle42(Griff8416)]

MY teeth are for tearing meat.

But as for Ranged hunting...I'd do it but I'd feel bad about it. I always find guns to be a cowardly weapon.

Now if it was Melee hunting Then I'd be ok with it!

Call me manly.

[G-Klav]

Hunting is a good hobby, I've heard. As long as it happens in the right time of the year (i.e not during the summer, when many animals are raising their young), it's fine by me.

But in general, more predation should go from human hunters to the animals' natural predators, like the wolf, the lynx and the bear. I think it would be healthier for the moose and deer populations, as natural predators only get the weak, the old or in some cases the young, whilst a human hunter can kill a perfectly healthy animal.

[Natti]

Originally Posted by Memory
Take a look at your teeth. We aren't carnivores. We're supposed to be vegetarians.

Wow. You were joking, right? :/

Anyways.

Like what the majority has said, I don't give a hoot if it's for food and stuff but if you're just gonna shoot it for fun and stuff, no. :x

I live in Texas, and where I am, a lot of people hunt deer for food so I kind have to... not care about hunting, if ya catch my drift. But yeah, hunt if you have to, not if you want to.

Edit:

мizuκi: I love your posts. D: <3

[Allelujah Haptism]

Hunting for Eating: Well. I think this subject is just plain stupid. "Don't kill living things to eat them!" What, so you're going to eat rocks because they're not alive? Plants are alive. They give you oxygen. Animal's eat plants. Are you telling them not to eat plants because they're alive? Or is it because plants can't move or make noise that they don't count? They're not really alive, am I right?

Also, telling us to become vegetarians because it's wrong to eat animals is essentially the same thing as telling to a lion, "Don't eat other animals you bad bad kitty. >O"

^ As far as I'm concerned, I'm just going to laugh in your face, while that kitty is probably going to munch off a few of your fingers. Or your face. Whichever looks tastier.

Take a look at your teeth. We aren't carnivores. We're supposed to be vegetarians.

Take another look Memo-chan. >.< We have canines for a reason. Humans are stated to be both Carnivorus and Herbivorus, the combination phrase eludes me. Edit: Ah, that would be Omnivores. Thank you brocklee. Edit-ching: Ah! xD brocklee you stole all my points before me. Lulz~

Hunting for Sport: I don't particularly care. I know, it's like, "Omfg you are such a horrible person, don't you care about the animals? ;A;" ...To be honest... No. Not really. It's not my problem if other people go off huntin' animals and shooting their butts off. I'm not about to tell them to keep on truckin', but I'm not about to go telling them off. To me, that's the equivelant of someone bugging me to get off the computer, in which case, it is quite tempting to just blow a corkgun in their face to shut them up. It's like the Gay & Lesbian rights issue. Let them be. Jesus christ we are just so interested in poking our noses into other people's business these days. < <

Caged Rare Species Hunting: Well. The 'right' answer for this would be 'Omfg, that's horrible!'. Well. I mean, I personally don't really care if I NEVER GET TO SEE THE LAST SPECIES OF SO-AND-SO BECAUSE IT'S EXTINCT WTF. But I don't think they should be caged. That's just retarded. Hunting is supposed to be a sport. The sport is chasing, and finding the animal. < < Besides, it's illegal, so don't do it. Rare species are usually taken out of the zoo anyway, so honestly, if it's bred and born in a zoo then hunting it is just plain retarded.

In response to the slaughter house question: Yes, I've been to a slaughterhouse. I've also been to a chicken de-featherer barn, where they heat up the de-featherer until the water boils, put the chicken into it (quite alive, thank you,) and let it cook for awhile before putting it into spin cycle where the feathers just all fall off because they've been boiled off, and then the remaining bits pulled off by hand. And a pig slaughter house, but that was a little more explicit, so I'm not going to share.

You can call me a horrible person if you want, I know I'm not a saint.

[Midnight Beat]

Also, telling us to become vegetarians because it's wrong to eat animals is essentially the same thing as telling to a lion, "Don't eat other animals you bad bad kitty. >O"
That is probably the single greatest quote I have ever read.

You know when I first started this thread I thought it had the potential to make me instantly hated in the community or it could give people a good place to post their opinions on an important issue. I am proud to say it is the second thought that has prevailed. Thank you for all your opinions it has given me an insight in to other peoples perspectives. Please keep it up.

[Jack O'Neill]

But as for Ranged hunting...I'd do it but I'd feel bad about it. I always find guns to be a cowardly weapon.

Now if it was Melee hunting Then I'd be ok with it!

Call me manly.
Uh, right. And while you get gored by a wild water buffalo or mauled by a bear, I'll just sit back with an Accuracy International L115A1 and put five .338 Lapua Magnum rounds in the designated target from a reasonably safe distance. What you call cowardice, I call practicality; what you call manliness, I call suicidal recklessness.

That said, I have no problem with hunting for sustenance. Hunting for sport is perfectly fine as well, as long as it's done within legal boundaries.

As for the slaughterhouse aspect of this discussion, yes, I have been to one. The actual process of killing the animal isn't as disgusting as the animal-rights activists let on, really.

[Pachy]

I think that hunting for food is perfectly fine and hunting for sport is ok in fenced in game areas were they are bred for huting for sport.

[Fallen Angel_Messiah Of Black Roses]

Rather the animal then another human I mean, If it's for food then yeah, it's okay, But killing for sport is sort of twisted.

[Grovyle42(Griff8416)]

Uh, right. And while you get gored by a wild water buffalo or mauled by a bear, I'll just sit back with an Accuracy International L115A1 and put five .338 Lapua Magnum rounds in the designated target from a reasonably safe distance. What you call cowardice, I call practicality; what you call manliness, I call suicidal recklessness.

That said, I have no problem with hunting for sustenance. Hunting for sport is perfectly fine as well, as long as it's done within legal boundaries.

As for the slaughterhouse aspect of this discussion, yes, I have been to one. The actual process of killing the animal isn't as disgusting as the animal-rights activists let on, really.

Reckless, yes. Suicidal, heck no.

You're talking to the inventor of "Fire Ball" here. I've got to feed my adrenaline SOME how, don't I?

I do have limits...I'm not gonna fight a Bear. I'd go as far as a stag.

[latioslegends]

a lot people in my family hunt including me I just think depends on what you are hunting like when I feasnt stuff cook I do not care I just like the sport but deer that is diffrent I don't really want to take the shot when I start doing deer soon I don't I am just mix feelings n hunting.

[Kayashi]

for food, not fun...

and they should get less of it...

[coachwhipneoship]

People in my family hunt. I don't agree with it. I don't think I could shoot an animal. But, I can't stop 'em.

[C Sherbii S]

I'm an avid hunter myself. I'd like to take this message as an opportunity to clear up some misconceptions that many people have about hunting.
-If humans didn't kill the animals they would be over populated and die of starvation, which is more painful than being shot.
-Hunting is not a cruel sport, nor is it unfair. It is very difficult to find a deer in the wild that is legal to be shot. It takes a great deal of skill and patience.
-Most of the time you don't even see any deer or whatever animal you are hunting while you are on the hunt, so most of the joy comes from being out in nature.
-Animals don't suffer much from being shot with a hunting rifle's round. They are big enough to put the animal down without much pain at all. A skilled hunter is able to hit the heart, which causes a death in less than 30 seconds. Much less painful than the week or so it takes a deer to starve to death.

Other things I would like to say is that in America (at least in most places) we have the right to hunt. You have the right to say you don't agree with it or whatever, but you shouldn't try to stop someone on their right to hunt.
If you read this post I thank you.

[coachwhipneoship]

I know...my family members who hunt have told me all that. I'd just rather they didn't go out and kill innocent, defenseless things they don't need for their own survival. I prefer to shoot animals with cameras, live and let live. I respect your right to hunt...I just would never do it unless I had to.

I'm at least glad that they do eat them and not waste any...but even then...
I'm pretty sure you can get just about as much protein from eating lentils as from meat, without all the fat and junk that comes with it. =/

[C Sherbii S]

I know...my family members who hunt have told me all that. I'd just rather they didn't go out and kill innocent, defenseless things they don't need for their own survival. I prefer to shoot animals with cameras, live and let live. I respect your right to hunt...I just would never do it unless I had to.

I'm at least glad that they do eat them and not waste any...but even then...
I'm pretty sure you can get just about as much protein from eating lentils as from meat, without all the fat and junk that comes with it. =/

I respect what you are saying. I'd also like to point out that there is no difference between hunting in the woods, and shopping for meats at the grocery store. Either way an animal is killed that you don't technically need for you survival. By killing an animal yourself you are just cutting out the middle man.

Where I live hunting has a great tradition of being a way that a father bonds with his son. I started hunting with my dad on my tenth birthday (which coincidentally was the first day of hunting season that year), and it has been good times ever since.

[Captain Jack Sparrow]

Well, you think about it. All the animals in the wilderness, except for the herbivores, they all kill other animals to eat. So if we copy their example and do so, then I suppose that's fine. But in the case of the wolves, where we are slaughtering them because they scare us and because they are hunting the elk we want to hunt for sport, then I highly disapprove of this. Captain Jack Sparrow says, "Absolutely not, mate!"

[C Sherbii S]

Sometimes wolves are killed because they are a threat to someones life. They are quite viscous.

[coachwhipneoship]

I respect what you are saying. I'd also like to point out that there is no difference between hunting in the woods, and shopping for meats at the grocery store. Either way an animal is killed that you don't technically need for you survival. By killing an animal yourself you are just cutting out the middle man.

Where I live hunting has a great tradition of being a way that a father bonds with his son. I started hunting with my dad on my tenth birthday (which coincidentally was the first day of hunting season that year), and it has been good times ever since.


Exactly right, there is no difference. At least my dad won't buy veal because he knows how cruel the methods are to get it.

And wolves...I agree, CJS. And they're unlikely to harm anyone..much less than dogs are, anyway, who don't fear people.

[Vavavoom ♣]

For eating, sure. For trophies, not at all.

[Jaimes]

Hmm.. to this guy I would just like to address some of the points you've made, I respect that you hunt for food but still find it difficult to understand how it can be done as a 'sport'. So don't mind if I tear apart your argument. ;)
In my opinion, killing should only be done when it is a necessity (food for example), I completely fail to see how hunting for 'enjoyment' comes under this idea.

-If humans didn't kill the animals they would be over populated and die of starvation, which is more painful than being shot.
As a biologist, I can say that this is incorrect. In a community of animals, without humans 'picking them off' there would be no difference.
When hunters do kill large numbers of wild animals, it just lets the remaining to breed further and with the resources available causing the population to increase back to the same number. Also this affects other animals in the community, including predators, prey, detritivores and plants, putting these numbers out of place, causing futher mishaps inside the community until it eventually stabilises.
Also, it would be fair to assume that the environment of the game is one (e.g a forest) that has plentiful resources to support the organisms, making 'death by starvation' inside an environment quite difficult. Not all hunted animals breed at alarming rates and not all animals end up starving to death.


-Hunting is not a cruel sport, nor is it unfair. It is very difficult to find a deer in the wild that is legal to be shot. It takes a great deal of skill and patience.
-Most of the time you don't even see any deer or whatever animal you are hunting while you are on the hunt, so most of the joy comes from being out in nature.

This just made me laugh.
Firstly, not a cruel sport? Well I would mind being shot dead that's for sure, and I'm sure other animals would too. Animal instinct is to survive, sorry, but killing one for fun IS cruel.
Humans are animals too, if someone tried to kill you for a buzz- you would find that ok?
Also not being 'unfair' is ridiculous. Well, yes it is unfair. So what if it's difficult to find something to blast at? That doesn't make it even for the animal. It's impossible for the animal to win 'the game'.
All the animal can do is try to survive by running and hiding, wheras hunters have a simple task off pulling a trigger at it. How you can think that a hunter is on even grounds with wild animals bemuses me.

Also if most of the 'joy comes from being out in nature' why not just go out walking, without the intention of destroying a part of it?
Environments are maintained by steady populations and relationships of the organisms in it. When you kill a number of wild creatures, it disrupts these relationships, rarely doing any benefit to the community.

-Animals don't suffer much from being shot with a hunting rifle's round. They are big enough to put the animal down without much pain at all. A skilled hunter is able to hit the heart, which causes a death in less than 30 seconds. Much less painful than the week or so it takes a deer to starve to death.
Again, not all animals starve to death, matter of fact very few do. Especially ones that live in suitable habitats (i.e. deers in a forest), it's called adaptation.
It appears that you are trying to say that it's is better for the animal to be shot dead rather than die naturally? What about animals that are healthy? In terms of suffering, what about the knock on effect to predators or family that rely on it? What about unskilled hunters, should they not be allowed to kill because the animal would suffer even more?

Eitherway, even if it didn't suffer, a life has been lost, and for what? entertainment? That hardly seems necessary or justifiable.

[coachwhipneoship]

*applauds jwilso72 vigorously* I couldn't possibly agree more with everything you said.
It seems to me that the species with the biggest overpopulation problem is our own...of course everyone is always so shocked and cries, "How can you compare another animal with a human?!", but I don't see why not. You don't have to go so far as to totally equate them to simply realize that they're not all that different from you, and that it would probably be a better choice *not* to take the other creature's life than to take it. "There are still so many others." I don't care how many other people there are, I don't want you to kill me. The animal's life is valuable to it and IMO, we think far too much of ourselves, believing we're in a place to judge that that's unimportant.

[Akio123]

Despite the fact that I am an omnivore, I belive that hunting is wrong. Let me explain:
Alright well if you are going to eat what you hunt it's fine, but if youa re doing it for pure sport then it's really wrong. I myself don't really think that just because we have thumbs gives us the right to kill other animals for sport.

[C Sherbii S]

..................................................
Eitherway, even if it didn't suffer, a life has been lost, and for what? entertainment? That hardly seems necessary or justifiable.

I read your post but saw you come from England. I am sorry that you have no right to own a firearm and experience hunting for yourself.

If you don't believe in hunting, than I hope for your sake you are a vegan. Otherwise you are a hypocrite.

Another thing, Most hunters eat what they kill. Venison is quite delicious.

[Cosmic Tyrant]

See, I think it's okay for hunting on certain standards. Hunters usually kill bigger game like bear to show off for money (Fur, hides and crap) If there is an overabundance in a species, hunting is cool to me as well. The only hunting I don't like is if someone kills a rabbit for the heck of it. WTF! Don't kill the poor bunnies...

[Craig²]

Sometimes wolves are killed because they are a threat to someones life. They are quite viscous.

Oh god I might vomit.

Wolves are actually fairly docile, but if you threaten or provoke them, they attack. It's a common miscomception. And anyways, the hunter shouldn't blame the wolves; it's their fault. The wolves are just defending their territory, themselves and their pack, which is a very noble thing unlike what hunters do.

Hunting because of over population is fine by me as long as it's actually true, which in most cases it isn't.

Hmm..My dad bought veal once. I flipped him off, gave him a verbal beating and then refused to eat it.

By the way, jwliso, very well said. I completely agree.

[Jaimes]

Before I address your next post, your points would be more appreciated and understandable if you responded to my counter arguments (i.e. my earlier post) if you can back up your earlier points.

I read your post but saw you come from England. I am sorry that you have no right to own a firearm and experience hunting for yourself.
Because I come from England, does not make my argument any less valid.
For your information, yes we do have hunting here and 90%+ is done as a recreation not for sport. Being a legal adult, I do have right to own a weapon and blast some creatures, but obviously chose the right not to.
Deer’s, birds and others are hunted. In UK, Fox hunting is a prime example I can use, foxes are chased on horseback alongside dogs and either trampled, stabbed, ripped apart or shot to death. As well as being highly dangerous it was definitely cruel (to such an extent that it was illegalised). It doesn't differ from other forms of recreational hunting.

Conversely, I can use your point against you. You have been raised in a culture were hunting is a norm for many and likely, were it is popular- causing very few to be outspoken towards it because of peers. To some extent I can understand why you retain your denial towards changing opinions.


If you don't believe in hunting, than I hope for your sake you are a vegan. Otherwise you are a hypocrite.
If you did read my post thoroughly enough, I never said there was anything wrong with hunting for food. I interpreted your original post because you describe it as a "sport" which is "fair". You also justified it as a sport with reasons that it has other supposed benefits besides entertainment. Finally in the post you made no reference to hunting for food.
Hunting for food is natural, as I made in post #11. Although humans have evolved and are educated to retain livestock, others will still need to hunt to gain enough protein and iron which is difficult to maintain in vegan/vegetarian lifestyle.
So no, I am not a hypocrite since I never said there was anything wrong with hunting for food or for conservation, only against recreation.
Using animals for food or production is can be justified for the loss of life. Wheras I believe hunting for sport has none whatsoever.

Another thing, Most hunters eat what they kill.
"Most" depends where you are from. Eitherway there are still creatures being killed for unecessary reasons. Extreme cases outside your country, can cause animals to be put onto the verge of extinction, all for the enjoyment of a sport.



And big thanks to the people who liked my previous post. ^^

[Tangerine Fox]

Hm...Nice discussion thread. Seems a pretty even balence.

I'm for legal and sanctioned hunting. I only go after what I am allowed to, nothing more. All kills are monitered so nobody can overhunt on our grounds. We eat everything we kill -- it doesn't matter if you missed and shot a squirrel, you're eating it. =/ The only exception is a diseased animal.

I think hunting "for sport" is pretty well stupid and I think there is no point to it. You don't need trophies, nor can you eat them. It seems a waste on all points.

Hunting to control species population, I agree with to a degree. That's important. If a species (such white-tail deer, which I hunt) overpopulate the things such as deforestation, weakened genetics, mass starvation, etc. Some are worst case scenarios, but they can happen. Wiping species out to the point of endangerment/extinction isn't right, though. Neither is letting everyone and their grandmother go nuts and try to catch all they can. You need to strike a good balence.

I'm a hunter, my dad is a hunter, many in my family hunt, and I come from an area where hunting is just part of life. A number of friends and relatives have gone through rough times where they were pretty much living off what they caught hunting or received from family. I respect everyone right to agree/disagree with this and don't really care if you hunt or not. It's my choice, I take it seriously, and I get along with life. That's about it.

[C Sherbii S]

I guess we had a misunderstanding then.
I'm for hunting as long as someone uses what they kill. I have no respect for hunters that don't use the animal they kill.

[Warheart]

I read your post but saw you come from England. I am sorry that you have no right to own a firearm and experience hunting for yourself.


Oh yeah, and what an experience it is, huh? I mean, who wouldn't want to just go out, and fire down an innocent animal just so you can laugh about it later? What an amazing feeling, I bet..

I posted here a while ago, but completely forget what my response was, so I'm just gonna go ahead and post here again xD

Hunting to me makes sense, only if the animals remains are actually going to be put to use; I find it totally sick, and revolting that certain people will just go out and kill so they can hang up a plaque of the animals head to "show-off," trashing whatever else is left of it. If the animal that is being hunted is in a controled environment, and is actually going to be used for a purpose after being shot (Food, etc), I don't really see anything wrong with it =/

Hunting for control of a species population I don't really have an opinion on, and it kinda still follows suit with what I had said before; It's not different, just because there is an excessive amout of something doesn't give anyone the right to go and kill it for the hell of it =/

[Midnight Beat]

Hunting to me makes sense, only if the animals remains are actually going to be put to use; I find it totally sick, and revolting that certain people will just go out and kill so they can hang up a plaque of the animals head to "show-off," trashing whatever else is left of it.

I totally agree with that satement.


To everyone: How do you all feel if a hunter shoots an animal and puts it to good use but then decides to make it a mount as well?

[Alex_]

I totally agree with that satement.


To everyone: How do you all feel if a hunter shoots an animal and puts it to good use but then decides to make it a mount as well?

Better being mounted than thrown in the garbage.

[Craig²]

I totally agree with that satement.


To everyone: How do you all feel if a hunter shoots an animal and puts it to good use but then decides to make it a mount as well?

...I suppose it's okay, as long as they put the animal to good use, and as long as it wasn't trophy hunting or anything, and they don't hunt excessively.

[C Sherbii S]

Oh yeah, and what an experience it is, huh? I mean, who wouldn't want to just go out, and fire down an innocent animal just so you can laugh about it later? What an amazing feeling, I bet..

=/

Yes, hunting is a great thrill. I don't laugh about hunting, I take it very seriously. Comrade, you clearly don't understand the skill involved in hunting. It is not as easy as many people make it seem. You don't just go into the woods and 'fire down' and animal. Sometimes it takes days upon days of tracking and watching to even get a shot at the animal you want

[coachwhipneoship]

Yes, hunting is a great thrill. I don't laugh about hunting, I take it very seriously. Comrade, you clearly don't understand the skill involved in hunting. It is not as easy as many people make it seem. You don't just go into the woods and 'fire down' and animal. Sometimes it takes days upon days of tracking and watching to even get a shot at the animal you want

It's good that you take it seriously.
Still, I would never put so much effort into trying to kill something. I just don't understand how it brings feelings of satisfaction...because the fact still remains that you're getting out of it alive and your target probably isn't...no matter how challenging it was to find or whatever.

[C Sherbii S]

I'm not really sure how to explain it. It makes me feel more in touch with the earth and my human nature to hunt (something that humans have done since the beginning).

[Jaimes]

I think I'll keep this post short ;)

I'm not really sure how to explain it. It makes me feel more in touch with the earth and my human nature to hunt (something that humans have done since the beginning).

Actually human ancestors (and early humans) were scavengers. In comparison to prey, we are naturally rubbish hunters. We don't have any effective weapons, not as fast and are quite clumsy to match a natural predator.
Early/humans only began hunting as theyre intelligence developed enough to create tools and work together.