Wildlife Management: Why People Hunt?

Some have differing opinions on this subject because animal activists see hunting as murder, however, hunters see it as a way to provide food on their tables. Since early civilization, hunting has played a key role in human survival. In today’s society, hunting is not necessary for everyday survival in most places. This is simply because the use of factories and animal farms that make it easier for those who chose not to hunt, or are against it. However, there are some people that live in places whe... ... middle of paper ... ... Foundation, 2010.

The most popular form of deer control is hunting. Hunting is a helpful management tool for keeping deer from becoming overpopulated. When European settlers arrived, the deer were hunted for meat and hide without thinking of management. After 100 years, deer were threatened with extinction in N.C. Today deer populations are 1.25 million in NC. Hunting can help regulate this population if done correctly.

Web. 20 Jan. 2014. Curtis, Paul D., and Kristi L. Sullivan. "White-Tailed Deer." Ccontario.org.

However these facts have not gone unnoticed. If hunting is well regulated, whether it be for sport or recreational involvement, and there are no major affects to the species, if anything it may help bring back species from the edge of extinction. “Several wildlife managers view recreational hunting as the principal basis for protection of wildlife.”(Lebel) Thousands of years ago, hunting may have been the cause of the extinction of the North American large land mammals. “Moving up into the 1940’s and 50’s some of today’s most prominent game animals were almost non-existent.”(Kerry G) Over-hunting will directly cause the decline in the particular animal’s species. This will effect everything around it, for example ... ... middle of paper ... ...unting Hurt or Help the Environment?

Whitetail Hunt Whitetail deer are said to be the most commonly hunted animal in North America. Throughout history, people that have lived in America have always wanted this animal for its meat and skin. With the large increase of hunters, our government has made rules and regulations to maintain the population of the famed whitetail deer. Whitetail deer are major game for hunters today and have been a staple resource as far back as the first Indians in America, being their prominent source of meat (known as venison). Native Americans used the entire deer for survival in wilderness.

Introduction The Red River Métis began their organised bison hunts soon after 1820 (Gerhard, 1982). The hunts did not take long to become a major part of the Métis culture and heritage. This would end up being a major source of income for many decades. As the ice age glaciers started to melt, the bison and other animals started moving onto the plains, the Métis then used this migration to their advantage and started hunting them (Gerhard, 1982). Some First Nations, particularly the Dakota and Assiniboine, relied primarily on the bison, utilizing every part of the body and carcass (Gerhard, 1982).

But as settlers pursued them for food and market hunters slaughtered them with snares, traps, and set guns, the deer population underwent a disastrous decline. By 1900, only 400,000 whitetails remained. What happened ever since 1900 has truly become a huge conservation success story. Through a massive effort by sportsmen and wildlife managers, market hunting was outlawed, sport-hunting regulations were established, and habitat improvement programs began. Because of the efforts of these concerned people the whitetail population has risen to around 20 million.

Historically, vast numbers of deer, elk, moose, and beavers lived in eastern forests; polar bears muskoxen, moose and caribou in the northwest; and millions of buffalo, pronghorn antelope, along with thousands of grizzly bears in the west (Brown). Because the wildlife species’ habitats were being taken and market hunting became huge, the wildlife population in the United States went drastically down. At the turn of the century, Americans finally took notice of the wildlife’s declining numbers. The disappearance of the bison became a rallying cry for those concerned about the future of wil... ... middle of paper ... ... them. Wildlife biology is the perfect choice for my career.

The areas that I want to talk about are state-owned game areas. These public hunting areas can be crowded, over hunted, and in effect can produce some pretty smart whitetails. Bow hunting on state land can be frustrating, or rewarding if some simple tactics are followed. If you are going to hunt on public land, then the first rule one has to follow is to get off the beaten paths. Most hunters will not choose a hunting location more than ½ miles from their vehicle (Blake, Bucks in the Public Domain, 2009).

Ever since the Pilgrims were introduced to the Indians, the deer was a big meat source for survival. They used the meat, bones for various needs, including sewing and the fur for clothing. The deer became an everyday hunted game. The decline of the deer population began. Before Mayflower Landed, Indians had a Saying "you only killed what you can eat, so that you can eat tomorrow', the forest itself did not provide the optimum habitat necessary to maintain the deer population.