hunting animals argumentative essay

Arguments for and Against Hunting

White tail deer are at the center of this debate.

• University of Southern California

• Ohio Wesleyan University
• Brandeis University
• Northeastern University

visualspace / Getty Images

• Animal Rights
• Endangered Species

Legitimate arguments abound for and against hunting for the control of the population of deer and other “nuisance” wildlife; or for sustenance for people who kill animals so they can eat them. For many people, the issue is complex, particularly for those who are (and intend to remain) meat-eaters. After reading the arguments pro and con, you may find yourself leaning strongly to one side — or you may find that you're still on the fence.

What Is Meant by 'Hunting?'

Most people who argue in favor of hunting are not arguing in favor of trophy hunting, the practice of killing an animal simply to show off its head and pelt. Trophy hunting is, in fact, abhorred by the majority of the public with a recent survey showing 69% of Americans are against it. Often, the animal being hunted is a rare or endangered animal, but even trophy hunting for wolves and bears is unpalatable to many people. 

The killing of wild animals for food is a different story. Though it was, at one time, a way of life and necessary for survival, today, hunting is a controversial topic because it is frequently regarded as a recreational activity. Many people are concerned about safety issues, and society’s attitudes towards animals are changing. Some hunters oppose certain practices they consider unethical, such as baiting, canned hunting (in fenced areas), and hunting of stocked animals.

At the heart of the non-trophy hunting debate in the United States is one species: white-tailed deer. In many areas in the U.S., white-tailed deer flourish because of the lack of natural predators and the abundance of deer-friendly habitat. As pockets of green space shrink and disappear in our suburbs, the species has become the center of the debate over hunting, and many who consider themselves neither hunters nor  animal rights activists  find themselves drawn into the debate. The debate centers on practical and ethical issues including deer management, human/deer conflicts, non-lethal solutions, and safety.

Arguments in Favor of Hunting

• Hunting proponents argue that hunting is safe, effective, necessary, and inexpensive to taxpayers.
• The injury rate for hunting is lower than that of some other forms of physical recreation, such as football and bicycling.
• Proponents argue that hunting is an effective form of deer management because it will remove a number of individual deer from a population, preventing those individuals from reproducing.
• Since natural deer predators have been eliminated in many areas, hunters argue that hunting is necessary to perform the function of wolves or cougars in keeping the deer population in check.
• Hunting proponents also argue that reducing the deer population will reduce human/deer conflicts, such as car/deer collisions, Lyme disease, and landscaping damage.
• Compared to sharpshooters and immunocontraception, hunting is inexpensive to taxpayers because hunters will kill the deer at no cost. Also, hunting permits are sold by state wildlife management agencies, which are partially or fully supported by the sales of permits.
• Hunters argue that killing the deer is better than letting them starve to death.
• Hunters argue that hunting is a tradition, a ritual or a bonding experience.
• Regarding ethics, hunting proponents argue that killing a deer for food cannot be worse than killing a cow or a chicken. Furthermore, unlike the cow or the chicken, the deer lived a free and wild life before being killed and had a chance to escape.
• Hunters also argue that killing a number of deer benefits the ecosystem as a whole.

Arguments Against Hunting

• Hunting opponents argue that hunting is unsafe, ineffective, unnecessary, and unfair to taxpayers.
• Opponents point out that compared to some other forms of recreation, hunting injuries are far more likely to be fatalities. Based on data compiled by the International Hunter Education Association U.S.A., hundreds of people have died in hunting accidents in the US over the past decade.
• Opponents also argue that hunting is ineffective for solving human/deer conflicts. Studies show that car/deer collisions increase during hunting season because hunters frighten the deer out of the woods and onto roads.
• Contrary to popular belief, hunting is not the only way to address Lyme disease. The ticks humans encounter on grassy areas are often spread by mice, not deer. Additionally, hunters who dress deer or squirrels have a higher risk of tick bites.
• And as long as suburban landscaping includes deer-preferred plants such as tulips and rhododendrons, that landscaping will attract hungry deer, no matter how many deer there are.
• It may also be the case that hunting to reduce the number of deer is less effective than contraception. Hunting is ineffective because state wildlife management agencies intentionally keep the deer population high, for hunters.
• Lands managed for hunting are sometimes purchased and maintained with tax dollars, even though about 90% of Americans do not hunt.
• Hunters out for trophies, such as elk and deer with large racks, are killing the strongest and healthiest of the species, not the weak and starving they claim to be putting out of their misery. Killing the stronger members of the species leaves a permanent consequence for the species as a whole.

The hunting debate may never be resolved. The two sides will continue to debate safety, effectiveness, and cost, but will probably never agree on the ethics of killing wild animals for food or recreation.

Pacelle, Wayne. “ Survey of American Electorate Reveals Overwhelming Opposition to Trophy Hunting .” The Humane Society of the United States . Published December 5, 2017.

Cawthorn, Donna-Mareè, and Louwrens C. Hoffman. “ The Bushmeat and Food Security Nexus: A Global Account of the Contributions, Conundrums and Ethical Collisions .”  Food Research International (Ottawa, Ont.),  vol. 76, 2015, pp. 906–925., doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2015.03.025

Jennings, David. " It's Time to Stop Kicking the Can and Ban Canned Hunting ." Vermont Journal of Environmental Law .

Williams, Scott C., et al. “ Evaluation of Organized Hunting as a Management Technique for Overabundant White-Tailed Deer in Suburban Landscapes .” Wildlife Society Bulletin , vol. 37, 2013, pp. 137-145., doi:10.1002/wsb.236

Loder, Randall T., and Neil Farren. “ Injuries from Firearms in Hunting Activities .” Injury , vol. 45, 2014, pp. 1207-1214., doi:10.1016/j.injury.2014.04.043

Sheu, Yahtyng, et al. “ Sports- and Recreation-Related Injury Episodes in the United States, 2011–2014 .” National Health Statistics Report, No. 99, November 18, 2016.

“ Deer Hunting: An Effective Management Tool .” Maryland Department of Natural Resources .

“ Deer Population Control Methods – Cost & Effectiveness Comparison .” Hilltop Conservancy .

Barnhill, Anne, et al, editors. The Oxford Handbook of Food Ethics . Oxford University Press , 2018.

“ Deer Can Be a Threat to Forests .” New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

Bestetti, Valentina et al. “ If Hunters End Up in the Emergency Room: A Retrospective Analysis of Hunting Injuries in a Swiss Emergency Department .”  Emergency Medicine International,  vol. 2015, p. 284908., doi:10.1155/2015/284908

" Hunter Incident Database ." International Hunter Education Association U.S.A .

“ Facts + Statistics: Deer Vehicle Collisions .” Insurance Information Institute .

Buchthal, Joanna, et al. “ Mice Against Ticks: an Experimental Community-guided Effort To Prevent Tick-Borne Disease by Altering the Shared Environment .” Phil Trans R Soc B , vol. 374, 2019, doi:10.1098/rstb.2018.0105

“ Disease Precautions for Hunters .” American Veterinary Medical Association .

Gamborg, Christian, et al. “ Ethical Management of Wildlife. Lethal Versus Nonlethal Control of White‐Tailed Deer .” Conservat Sci and Prac , vol. 2, 2020, doi:10.1111/csp2.171

Pursell, Allen, et al. " Too Many Deer: A Bigger Threat to Eastern Forests Than Climate Change? " Cool Green Science . Published August 22, 2013.

“2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.” U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Knell, Robert J., and Carlos Martínez-Ruiz. “ Selective Harvest Focused on Sexual Signal Traits Can Lead to Extinction Under Directional Environmental Change .”  Proc R Soc B , vol. 284, 2017, doi:10.1098/rspb.2017.1788

• Controversial Bear Hunting Returns to New Jersey
• Cats Face Threats—and Can Cause Them—When They Roam
• Responses to Top Arguments Against Animal Rights
• What Will Happen to the Animals If Everyone Goes Vegan
• What’s the Difference Between Coyotes and Wolves?
• Rescuer Saves and Rehabs Hundreds of Wild Animals in Peru
• Antlers vs. Horns: What's the Difference?
• Why the Mustangs of the West Are Disappearing
• Why Red Pandas Are Endangered
• 8 Incredible Animals Being Hunted Into Extinction
• Trophy Hunter Kills One of Botswana’s Largest Elephants
• Are Wolves Endangered? Conservation Status and Threats
• Invasive Species: Wild Boar
• UK Ban on Trophy Hunt Imports Aims to Protect 7,000 Species
• Why African Wild Dogs Are Endangered and What We Can Do to Help Save Them
• Gray Wolves Are Endangered Again in Most US States

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Hunting — The Ethical Debate: Why Hunting Should Not Be Banned

The Ethical Debate: Why Hunting Should not Be Banned

• Categories: Hunting

About this sample

Words: 545 |

Published: Sep 1, 2023

Words: 545 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Prof Ernest (PhD)

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 802 words

3 pages / 1395 words

3 pages / 1464 words

2 pages / 1010 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Hunting

Diet plays a fundamental part in people’s lives. The food people eat, has an immense impact on their health and well-being. (Food diseases) As James Douglas-Hamilton said, “what we eat is, of course, what we choose to eat, and [...]

When I was a little girl, I recall an experience when a lady moved into a broken down house right down the street from mine. I remember feeling bad for her because her house looked sad and broken down. She was obviously broke [...]

The Green concept of the hotel industry is an increase in awareness since the late 1980s. The hotel sector is said to be one of the most energy and water intensive sectors in the tourism industry. When hotels are constructed [...]

“Lady Chatterley’s Lover” is an infamous novel written by D. H. Lawrence, which was banned in the United States until 1959 and in England until 1960 because it said that the novel contains pornography. Lawrence indeed uses a [...]

Eric Botton created the brand and the concept Bexley, French shoemaking institution 30 years ago without any industry knowledge in Lyon, France. He remains the president of the company to this day. But, in December 2017, the [...]

This paper basically deals with self-driven cars and their vehicle to environment connection to provide low carbon dioxide emission, avoid accidents. Since the car is evolving with time in today's world ninety percent of car [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Is Hunting Moral?

A philosopher unpacks the question

Three generations of a Wisconsin family with a nine-point buck. Photo by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources/Flickr, CC BY-ND

Joshua Duclos

Every year as daylight dwindles and trees go bare, debates arise over the morality of hunting. Hunters see the act of stalking and killing deer, ducks, moose, and other quarry as humane, necessary, and natural, and thus as ethical. Critics respond that hunting is a cruel and useless act that one should be ashamed to carry out.

As a nonhunter, I cannot say anything about what it feels like to shoot or trap an animal. But as a student of philosophy and ethics, I think philosophy can help us clarify, systematize, and evaluate the arguments on both sides. And a better sense of the arguments can help us talk to people with whom we disagree.

Three rationales for hunting

One central question is why people choose to hunt. Environmental philosopher Gary Varner identifies three types of hunting: therapeutic, subsistence, and sport . Each type is distinguished by the purpose it is meant to serve.

Therapeutic hunting involves intentionally killing wild animals in order to conserve another species or an entire ecosystem. In one example, Project Isabella , conservation groups hired marksmen to eradicate thousands of feral goats from several Galápagos islands between 1997 and 2006. The goats were overgrazing the islands, threatening the survival of endangered Galápagos tortoises and other species.

Subsistence hunting is intentionally killing wild animals to supply nourishment and material resources for humans. Agreements that allow Native American tribes to hunt whales are justified, in part, by the subsistence value the animals have for the people who hunt them.

In contrast, sport hunting refers to intentionally killing wild animals for enjoyment or fulfillment. Hunters who go after deer because they find the experience exhilarating, or because they want antlers to mount on the wall, are sport hunters.

These categories are not mutually exclusive. A hunter who stalks deer because he or she enjoys the experience and wants decorative antlers may also intend to consume the meat, make pants from the hide, and help control local deer populations. The distinctions matter because objections to hunting can change depending on the type of hunting.

What bothers people about hunting: Harm, necessity, and character

Critics often argue that hunting is immoral because it requires intentionally inflicting harm on innocent creatures. Even people who are not comfortable extending legal rights to beasts should acknowledge that many animals are sentient—that is, they have the capacity to suffer. If it is wrong to inflict unwanted pain and death on a sentient being, then it is wrong to hunt. I call this position “the objection from harm.”

If sound, the objection from harm would require advocates to oppose all three types of hunting, unless it can be shown that greater harm will befall the animal in question if it is not hunted—for example, if it will be doomed to slow winter starvation. Whether a hunter’s goal is a healthy ecosystem, a nutritious dinner, or a personally fulfilling experience, the hunted animal experiences the same harm.

But if inflicting unwanted harm is necessarily wrong, then the source of the harm is irrelevant. Logically, anyone who commits to this position should also oppose predation among animals. When a lion kills a gazelle, it causes as much unwanted harm to the gazelle as any hunter would— far more, in fact .

Few people are willing to go this far. Instead, many critics propose what I call the “objection from unnecessary harm”: it is bad when a hunter shoots a lion, but not when a lion mauls a gazelle, because the lion needs to kill to survive.

Today, it is hard to argue that human hunting is strictly necessary in the same way that hunting is necessary for animals. The objection from necessary harm holds that hunting is morally permissible only if it is necessary for the hunter’s survival. “Necessary” could refer to nutritional or ecological need, which would provide moral cover for subsistence and therapeutic hunting. But sport hunting, almost by definition, cannot be defended this way.

Sport hunting also is vulnerable to another critique that I call “the objection from character.” This argument holds that an act is contemptible not only because of the harm it produces, but because of what it reveals about the actor. Many observers find the derivation of pleasure from hunting to be morally repugnant.

In 2015, American dentist Walter Palmer found this out after his African trophy hunt resulted in the death of Cecil the lion . Killing Cecil did no significant ecological damage, and even without human intervention, only one in eight male lions survives to adulthood . It would seem that disgust with Palmer was at least as much a reaction to the person he was perceived to be—someone who pays money to kill majestic creatures—as to the harm he had done.

The hunters I know don’t put much stock in “the objection from character.” First, they point out that one can kill without having hunted and hunt without having killed. Indeed, some unlucky hunters go season after season without taking an animal. Second, they tell me that when a kill does occur, they feel a somber union with and respect for the natural world, not pleasure. Nonetheless, on some level the sport hunter enjoys the experience, and this is the heart of the objection.

Is hunting natural?

In discussions about the morality of hunting, someone inevitably asserts that hunting is a natural activity since all preindustrial human societies engage in it to some degree, and therefore hunting can’t be immoral. But the concept of naturalness is unhelpful and ultimately irrelevant.

A very old moral idea, dating back to the Stoics of ancient Greece , urges us to strive to live in accordance with nature and do that which is natural . Belief in a connection between goodness and naturalness persists today in our use of the word “natural” to market products and lifestyles— often in highly misleading ways . Things that are natural are supposed to be good for us, but also morally good.

Setting aside the challenge of defining “nature” and “natural,” it is dangerous to assume that a thing is virtuous or morally permissible just because it is natural. HIV, earthquakes, Alzheimer’s disease, and postpartum depression are all natural. And, as The Onion   has satirically noted , behaviors including rape, infanticide, and the policy of might-makes-right are all present in the natural world.

Hard conversations

There are many other moral questions associated with hunting. Does it matter whether hunters use bullets, arrows, or snares? Is preserving a cultural tradition enough to justify hunting? And is it possible to oppose hunting while still eating farm-raised meat?

As a starting point, though, if you find yourself having one of these debates, first identify what kind of hunting you’re discussing. If your interlocutor objects to hunting, try to discover the basis for their objection. And I believe you should keep nature out of it.

Joshua Duclos is a PhD candidate in the Boston University College of Arts & Sciences philosophy department.

• Share this story

Joshua Duclos Profile

Comments & Discussion

Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

There are 24 comments on Is Hunting Moral?

For the ethical hunter, the pleasure derived has nothing to due with taking a life. It’s derived from accomplishment and connecting with who we are as humans. Those are extremely pleasurable experiences.

We are advanced predators. The only way this subject gets overly complicated is when we attempt to move Homo sapiens from participation status to spectator status.

If I may modify your “three rationales”;

Therapeutic because it helps me connect with my DNA as a human and connect with the wild environment that our bodies are evolved to thrive in.

Subsistence because I nourish my body and the bodies of my friends and family with what I hunt. That shouldn’t be lost because a rancher, butcher and store owner are offering a convenience in exchange for currency.

Sport because hiking, scouting, climbing, training, carrying etc positively stresses my body and the contest between prey and predator is timeless and awesome.

I agreed completely. I hunt because it connects me with my roots and my religion. (I am a wiccan) I feel an intense belonging in nature and wish to survive off of hunted meat, foraged plant life and my own livestock and garden in the future. I believe it is important that we remain part of nature, otherwise we lose respect for it. To me it is cowardly to be responsible for the death of an animal while denying that it ever lived. Those who eat farm raised meat dislike hunting because it makes them uncomfortable to face the reality of death not because they care for animals. Most farming is much more harmful to animals and the environment than hunting. When I hunt an animal or raise it myself, I know it lived well or free and when my arrow prices it’s heart it will die instantly and without pain and fear; the same cannot be said for factory farmed livestock. I can also ensure that every price of an animal is used when I kill it myself. Bones make needles and tools for Flint knapping and tanning, joints make soup, hooves make regalia, hide makes warm clothing, skulls serve as momento Mori and even the intestines serve as sausage casings. By hunting I take agency over my own life and my responsibility to protect the earth . I can thank the animals I kill upon their deaths through prayer and carry them with me in my thoughts and in my body throughout my life. I get to know them as we live on the same land and I have learned to respect them as they best me time and time again. They are beautiful, sentient creatures and they have my undying respect. I hunt because not because it is human but because it is animal. If humans were ever to forget that we are in fact animals we would surely sign our own death warrants. By hunting I continue my role in our ecosystem, our sacred place. Forgotten by most it is important that rather than serve only as a drain on the Earth’s resources we strive to remain a part of her. I hope one day that when I die, I can be returned to the earth, where I will in turn be consumed and join the memory of life by nourishing future generations of living beings. For all life is borrowed, we belong to the earth, to the universe and we are destined to return to both, in mind and in spirit.

why do people hunt dears

People hunt deer for multiple reasons, food, pleasure, more connected to nature, or conservation. Whenever you buy a gun, ammo, tags, gear or stands, 11% of profits go to conservation. As a hunter, it is important to use the whole animal, to respect it, to kill it a humanely as possible.

While a reasonable look at the topic, it glosses over the major point that to me makes hunting obviously morally acceptable. Essentially if you eat meat, you shouldn’t have any objection to hunting. Even many people who do not eat meat, refrain due to the needless suffering caused by factory farming or due to CO2 emissions – many of whom have no issue with hunting, as it’s a far more humane a way to kill an animal than factory farming tends to be.

The pleasure in hunting for the vast majority is not from killing – it’s from the ‘hunt’ part. Exploring the woods, scouting new locations, tracking animals, learning the sounds, rituals and patterns of animals, camping with a purpose far from civilization, and being a part of the ecosystem. The killing part is the opposite of enjoyable; it feels to me personally though that I can’t justify eating meat if I can’t stomach killing the animal myself – obfuscating my ethical responsibility does not negate it.

I agree with Chris, hunting is more moral than eating farm animals. Not only do the wild animals live free, we also get to feel the impact of hunting first hand. But that is just a relative position of morals. In today’s wealthy Western world, we don’t need hunt nor eat farmed animals. So hunting is an unnecessary pleasure. It doesn’t matter whether the pleasure comes from a sadist killing of an animal or (as Alia and Michael said) from a higher source of connecting with the roots. If you subscribe to the modern life of convenience, and you go hunt for some additional pleasure – you are essentially placing your pleasure over the animal’s life and suffering. I can’t see that as morally justified.

The only reason I may agree with hunting is for food…. Some people hunt just for the sake of killing….like the fox hunting in England…and I absolutely hate trophy Hunting..

Good article, really well put together and thoughtful.

To respond to some of the comments:

How does the sense of accomplishment, or the sense of connection to who we are as humans, or the sense of connection to one’s roots, or the sense of connection with one’s religion, justify causing suffering? And how much suffering does it justify? To take some examples:

Imagine someone who derives a sense of accomplishment from hunting humans, and also derives a sense of connection to who we are as humans from it. (After all, humans have been killing each other throughout history.) Do those experiences of the hunter justify their actions, or is the experience of the victim also worth considering? If you answer that the hunter’s experience does justify their actions and that the experience of the victim is not worth considering, then you’re being consistent. But I would disagree with that moral framework, since mine is based on the minimization of unnecessary suffering.

The same goes for the sense of connection with one’s religion. Imagine a religion that involves human sacrifice, and that the religion’s members feel a sense of connection with their religion after shooting their victims. Does the experience of the killers justify their actions? Here again, my answer would be no, but that’s the position that this argument commits you to.

IMO the strongest argument in favor of hunting is for maintaining ecological equilibrium. However, the main question I would ask is, if no one did any population control and instead let nature play it out by itself, would that cause more suffering or less? Why is it preferable to preserve a small number of individuals of an endangered species at the expense of a large number of individuals of other species, unless we would otherwise expect the ecosystem to collapse into a desert? By that logic, a large culling of the human species is in order, since humans are directly causing extinctions and disrupting ecosystems at a higher rate than any deer population.

Hello Anon!

You mention you would like to minimize suffering. You also say people that justify the suffering of animals for religious reasons are acting inconsistent when they do not believe religion can justify human sacrifice.

I believe you are missing some of the assumptions made in this conversation. Most people think causing suffering is bad. They also believe acting on personal, religious beliefs is good. So, what happens when (good) religious beliefs tell you to do (bad) suffering? Essentially, humans instinctually balance our good/bad with the good/bad of others. Humans often do not seek their good exclusively or only seek not doing bad to others. The intensity of our good and bad feelings are compared to intensity of good and bad feelings our actions give to others when we make a decision. So, we assume our good and bad feelings are a little more important than another person’s feelings, and our feelings are much more important than an animal’s feelings.

My belief is that there is no logical inconsistency with saying my religion justifies hunting animals and does not allow hunting humans.

In fact, there may be an inaccuracy in your speech when you say you want to minimize the suffering of others. If someone were needed to donate blood to you to save your life, would you say,”Don’t prick that person with a needle. I want to minimize suffering.” I venture that you would not. If I am correct, you also balance your good feelings and suffering against that of others, including animals. The only questions are if your beliefs contain a hierarchy: Whose good feeling and suffering are most important? Are feelings of you more important than others? Are the feelings of humans more important than animals? Are our feelings all of equal more importance?

Thank you for your post. Feel free to respond to what I wrote and offer your perspective.

That is an absolutely amazing way to view the world and nature. I find your culture very beautiful and think that is a very amazing way to live and view such tasks and activities. I am not from any kind of Native American decent, although I have a little bit of Shawnee in me, I still do the same rituals as you out of respect for the animal. I always thank it for its life and for providing for me, my family, and friends.

Hunting has nothing to do with the pleasure of killing. There is no pleasure in killing an animal. Hunting is about the sport of going out and doing what is our natural instinct – hunting fo our own food. I almost always keep the meat from a deer or elk kill but, if I don’t, I donate the meat to food drives or homeless shelters to fill someone’s belly with the natural food of humans, who instinctively are animals. Again, I would like to say that there is no pleasure in a kill, you always have to pay you’re respects to the animal and make a good shot so that the animal does not suffer.

Wyatt I definitely agree with that. I do the exact same thing, either eat all of the harvest, or share with family, friends, and neighbors. Sharing the harvest is almost as satisfying as the accomplishment of earning your own deer. I also believe in thanking and respecting the animal that provided and made it possible for me to feed me and my loved ones.

hunting is comletly fine to me when people do it because of keeping the animal population safe and not because of the food.if you were to hunt for food youd get nothing because hunting is really hard and it is for the love for the forests and animals. Killing an animal is bad but not that bad when you think of the animal that is on your bigmac they lived in a cage and brobobly have never seen the sun as for the hunted free meat lived in a forest happily, im not a vegan but if I were I would still eat hunted meat because that meat lived an happy life and not a super sad life in a cage.

I agree with this article, hunting should only be permitted for survival, food, and to control animal populations (invaders) . Not as trophies or as sport, due to the unimaginable pain it causes and the cruelness of human beings toward animals. I agree it may bring people closer to their traditions and I respect it. But it is one thing to hunt because you need it to survive, and another one to cause pain because of the power it gives you. There are moral ways to kill an animal.

I wish you would have separated “farm-raised meat” into two categories: meat available directly from local family farmers and meat of the sort generally available in supermarkets, produced by the ecologically destructive and inhumane (both to humans and to other animals!) system of factory farming. The latter type of corporate operation could be the subject of its own morality discussion.

I participate in a sort of online farmers market which connects local farmers with consumers via a website. A product list is posted each Sunday afternoon and people like me place their orders for delivery or pick up, depending on where they live. It’s great! This mode of marketing is good for the farmer, helping keep them on their land without kowtowing to Big Ag corporations, and good for the consumer.

I’ve visited one of these farms and spoken with some of the other producers at a recent event. The way meat producers involved in this co-op raise cows, pigs, and chickens is a universe away from how the animals who provide the meat you buy in a supermarket are raised.

Small farms involved in this co-op practice regenerative agriculture and follow organic farming practices although they’re not all USDA certified because it’s too expensive and time-consuming for small farms to do so. Their livestock are truly free-range. They spend their lives outside eating what they would eat naturally, not the grain used to fatten up livestock before they’re truck to a feedlot for more fattening and then just slaughter houses.

There’s a great video from a farmer in South Georgia who started a farm called White Oak Pastures, part of which explains the health of his cows compared to those being raised in the corporate agriculture version of meat production. And he knows because his family was involved in the latter system and so was he early on. But he had a moral crisis and switched. The film’s titled “Cud” and it’s not only educational but entertaining to watch because its lead Will Harris has a great personality! I’ve watched it multiple times after digging it up on YouTube once again to share with someone else, and I never tire of it. https://youtu.be/UoSl-ywW7kw

The problem is that meat and other foods produced by small farms are not cheap. They’re definitely worth the money but not everyone can afford them. But if more producers adopted these practices, food produced in a more morally tenable way would become more accessible and presumably more affordable.

Thus was obviously a major digression. But it seemed inappropriate to me to compare meat acquired through hunting to meat produced on farms without separating out the vastly different ways in which meat is raised.

As a wildlife biologist, I could provide a whole sermon about how necessary what the author calls “therapeutic” hunting is to conservation of not only other species but entire ecosystems! But it would take me hours to write it and there’s no room to put it here. I’ll just mention whitetailed deer who, thanks to us, have almost no native predators left on the the landscape, and invasive non-native feral hogs. Anyone interested can probably look this up themselves or may understand it just by thinking about it.

I think it depends on the purpose of hunting, no? If hunting for pleasure & not food (e.g. fox hunting), then that’s different for hunting for food.

Some hunters are more connected to the natural way of life than non-hunters who ‘outsource’ the killing to a much more morally corrupt industrialised meat industry!

I’d rather eat rabbit that was shot wild and lived a free & happy life, than ‘farmed’ meat bought in a supermarket.

Hunting is very accessible too and, in a time of austerity & cost of living crisis, hunting small prey (rabbits, grey squirrels in the UK etc), is a good way to get a nutrient dense meal. In fact all that’s needed is some skill (practise) and an air rifle (yes, you can take small prey with an air rifle – https://airrifleuk.co.uk/whats-the-best-air-rifle-for-hunting/ <- non-commercial link)

Of course people would need to know how to gut, skin clean and cook the meat.

I very much agree. Part of hunting is for the chase, the connection to nature and family. Hunting brings people together for a meal, for putting up stands, and for processing the animal and using it all. Thank you, Hunting is so misrepresented in urban areas.

It is crazy to read some of these comments supporting hunting. I cheer the fact that hunting is in decline and hopefully that trend will continue. Some commentators wrote they don’t enjoy “the kill,” only the connection to nature, camping with friends away from civilization, learning to track animals, etc. So why have the kill the end goal? Just go into the woods, enjoy nature, drink your beer and go home.

Hunters like to portray themselves as “conservationists” who really care about nature. Face the facts, the majority of hunters use loud four-wheeled vehicles which disrupts migration and hibernation, leave trash & beer cans in the woods, and are half drunk while holding a shotgun. Come visit Moosehead Lake in Maine – the noise of the vehicles, the drinking, the rowdiness, that is the current state of hunting my friends.

And what about the animal ecosystem hunters destroy? They want to kill the largest animal, which of course disrupts the order of the “family.” When an animal like a wolf, who mates for life and has close-knit family units, is killed, it can destroy the entire community. All for the joy of what hunters call “sport.”

People here in Maine treat hunting as a family ritual – my son’s first hunt, my daughter’s first kill. Really? What are you teaching your offspring? Guns, killing, immune to the pain you cause, power over animals?

What is always missing from these familial reunions is the fact that most kids – and probably most adults – are very bad shots. They wound an animal and it takes off terrified and in great pain. Do a photo web search of deer, moose and bear with arrows protruding from their sides. They survive for a while, but in agony. Sometimes the wounded animals are never found and dies a slow, horrible death. That is hunting.

It should be mandatory to make little Tommy look into the terrified eyes of the dying moose he just shot. (In Maine, we call it “harvesting,” sounds more civilized). As the blood seeps out and the animal breathes its last breath, Tommy can feel proud of the pain he has inflicted. That is hunting.

And don’t forget the picture holding the dead animal’s head – smiles all around. What powerful, smart, humans you are! You want ethical meat? Buy “certified humane” products. If it is too expensive, maybe cut back on the number of shotguns you buy each year. Or to be truly ethical, go vegetarian. I have been a vegetarian for about 5 years – it is so easy and a much healthier diet.

I have never hunted – and never will. I will never understand the joy people claim to experience. You want to shoot, hunt and kill? Join the US Army, deploy to Iraq for 28 months like I did. That is a real hunt, when the enemy is as smart as you are, are armed and actually shoot back. How many tough-guy hunters want to face a fair fight??

Hello C.W. Mitchell,

I’d like to respectfully comment on your insights. I’m a wildlife biologist that focuses on human-wildlife conflict and ways of offsetting it in order to grow or, at the very least, stabilize threatened and endangered species, primarily large mammals that require space to feed, reproduce, and disperse.

First, I respect the fact that you are against hunting wildlife. I also agree that many “hunters” do not respect wildlife or the land through various acts such as polluting (e.g. leaving empty beer cans, bottles, and other trash), being poor shots, engaging in drunken misbehavior, creating noise pollution, and outright disrespecting the animals they claim to have reverence for. There is also something to be said about the suffering that occurs as a result. How many deer survive with debilitating injuries from trigger-happy individuals who know next to nothing about using firearms? How many animals suffer from slow, agonizing deaths as a result? Finally, using terms like harvesting, taking, and sustainable use are nothing more than public relations buzz words. Whether one agrees or disagrees with it, hunters kill wildlife. That’s what it ultimately boils down to. The question of whether hunting benefits or hurts conservation, however, is the one worth exploring.

In this particular context, I will mention that I am from New York State, where despite the beautiful Adirondack Park, a few national wildlife reserves, and additional state protected and wildlife management areas, and privately owned forests, there are currently little (if any) natural predators for our very large white-tailed deer population. Without natural predators (e.g. wolves, mountain lions, etc.) the deer population negatively impacts forest ecology by over consuming resources, hence why hunting can have some positive impact on the biology of the forest habitats. Too many deer ravage browse, thus paradoxically harming the forests and other species within the food web that, despite having different niches, rely on some of the same resources for nourishment and survival. With the food web being incomplete due to humans historically extirpating apex predators, too many deer can ravage protected areas. This is where hunting paradoxically has come into play.

Personally, I would rather see a reintroduction of wolves and mountain lions; they would do a far better job of managing deer populations than human hunters ever would or could hope to. But until that happens, too many deer will take a burdensome toll on other species. Granted, nature does have a way of working itself out without human intervention, but historical and modern-day human pressures have already changed things to such a drastic degree that wildlife management policies (e.g. hunting) are put in place to help protect habitats. From a monetary perspective, funds from hunting and other uses do protect forested habitats, without which run the risk of being further degraded, which is why hunting fees (e.g. buck and doe tags) help fund additional research, conservation law enforcement, and restoration ecology.

Ethics in hunting are very important to consider, and you raised incredibly valid points to that end. I never served in the military, but I have gone out deer hunting with a colleague who did. He owns 100 acres of beautiful forest. He makes a point to only hunt once every couple of years, and he only ever kills one buck to eat. The rest of the time he just enjoys watching them. By doing so, deer are not afraid to be on his property, and they live there in relative abundance. Since he is/was former military, he never takes a shot unless it ensures a quick death. Moreover, he tends to shoot old bucks that look as though they aren’t long for this world anyway. (Many deer starve to death as I’m sure you know, which is equally as horrible as a deer getting shot by a drunken yahoo or someone with no training in firearms.) His shots are quick, and all edible parts of the deer are used for food. Having butchered my own meat, I realize that an animal has been killed. However, my colleague and I go to great lengths to ensure that the death is quick, that the deer killed is old enough, and that it is only used for food. We have even mercy killed deer that we’ve seen starving to death, barely struggling to take a step.

Finally, I agree that species such as wolves should be left alone, especially since the Eltonian food pyramid places apex predators at the top of the food chain, meaning there will be less of them than prey species from a population context.

At the end of the day, I hope that New York will consider reintroducing predators that can do a far better job of consuming deer than hunters will, especially since hunting is on the decline.

Quick question: C.W. Mitchell, are you a vegetarian? If not, then how do you get your meat? It is essentially the same thing as hunting except the animal is kept in a fenced in area and then shot and killed that way. There is almost no difference except that while hunting, one gives the animal a fighting chance to get away before the hunter can make the shot.

CWMitchell, thank you for your wise and compassionate words.

Wonderful comments Anonymous, C.W. Mitchell, and you as well Mike, as one who is a proponent for hunting. Beth Wright, thank you for your comments as well about the horrible and unnatural world of factory farming. I believe the Natives would be proud of you all, and you all seem to truly love the earth and nature and seem to really be connected to it, as the Natives of this land once were, before the animals, as well as themselves, were so nearly wiped out.

Hello Everyone! I would like to share my thoughts in this discussion, which I hope are respectful and appropriate to everyone. I also hope there are no obstacles to me sharing my viewpoint.

From my experiences in logical debates and reading ethical philosophy, I believe there is always one question that must start every ethical discussion:

What makes something right or wrong? (This question is the topic of metaethics).

If we ignore this question, we end up debating each other with contradictory assumptions on what morality is. When we make assumptions without realizing it, we will learn much less from our debates than we ought to. Ignoring this most fundamental question of ethics also obscures our ability to find truth, or even find answers that satisfy us.

This article does not discuss metaethics and assumes moral claims can be proven by examining our feelings and intuition. I think this article does a great job of examining our moral intuitions but I disagree with its fundamental assumption that these intuitions can accurately tell us the difference between right or wrong. More specifically, I believe examining our intuitions and feelings about hunting will not accurately inform us whether hunting is right or wrong.

My position is that morality is determined by human nature. (This position can be distinguished from talks about the natural order. I am not talking about nature, only about human nature). Human nature is deterministic and not free. What satisfies our human nature in a sustainable way is moral. What does not satisfy our human nature is immoral. Being determined (no free-will) human beings, the only sustainable lifestyle-one we can constantly feel motivation and a will to follow-is a moral one. Immoral people may not always reform their ways, but they are always changing, looking for the moral path in the wrong way.

So why do I believe morality has anything to do with human nature or human motivation? Morality in the context we talk about only is meaningful when it has a motivating power over us, especially when we feel acting moral is to our situational disadvantage. Only satisfying our human nature can have a sustainable motivating power over human beings without free will. It may seem I am using intuition to define morality. However, I only use intuition to connect my idea to the word “morality.” Whether we call my idea morality or not, my idea still exists. My idea of trying to satisfy our human nature and express truths to others that help them satisfy their nature aligns our thoughts with our motivation. I believe this makes it by definition a rational way of thinking and a way of thinking that is naturally persuasive.

So, the topic at hand is, is hunting ethical? Our human nature seems to involve seeking pleasure, happiness, and life satisfaction (these are all different kinds of good feelings. Pleasure is instant good feelings. Happiness is good feelings from circumstances. Life satisfaction is good feelings regardless of circumstances. Psychologists seem to have different categories of good feelings, all of which are important and similar to what I describe). Human beings also try to avoid pain. We can see it is unsustainable for a person to live in a way that maximizes pain and avoids good feelings. Examining sustainable and unsustainable lifestyles can help reveal to us human nature.

On the topic of hunting, human beings are causing pain to animals and may gain satisfaction from the act of hunting. I think the debate about hunting is popularly centered around hunting for sport, which I will focus on. In the altruism-egoism debate, Daniel Batson’s research (on egoism-altruism) has shown we have desires that require altruistic actions towards people to be satisfied. In other words, satisfying our human nature includes doing good to other humans. This evidence does not apply to animals, but it does show ideas that we only need to care about our own good feelings, when assessing our desires, are mistaken. The questions to ask are, “When hunters kill animals, is it harming the hunter? When hunters kill animals are they losing a sense of love or life satisfaction that would otherwise improve their lives?” If the answer to both questions is no then there is no reason to think a lifestyle of hunting causes the hunter suffering or is unsustainable for the hunter to follow. If this is the case, hunters are not acting against their human nature and are not acting immoral assuming the situation does include additional factors.

This is my take on the debate. My argument assumes humans have no free-will. I also assumed sustainable and unsustainable lifestyles (for human beings) revolve around seeking good feelings and avoiding pain. I also assume if someone neglects their desire to help others, it will be reflected in them having either less good feelings or more bad feelings.

I hope I contributed respectfully to this debate. I am willing to change anything in my comment if it does not come across as proper. Good luck to everyone.

Hunting for food and to conserve an ecosystem is still better than buying a cheeseburger and supporting the animal abuse that is factory farming.

Comments are closed.

Latest from The Brink

Not having job flexibility or security can leave workers feeling depressed, anxious, and hopeless, bu electrical engineer vivek goyal named a 2024 guggenheim fellow, can the bias in algorithms help us see our own, do immigrants and immigration help the economy, how do people carry such heavy loads on their heads, do alcohol ads promote underage drinking, how worried should we be about us measles outbreaks, stunning new image shows black hole’s immensely powerful magnetic field, it’s not just a pharmacy—walgreens and cvs closures can exacerbate health inequities, how does science misinformation affect americans from underrepresented communities, what causes osteoarthritis bu researchers win $46 million grant to pursue answers and find new treatments, how to be a better mentor, how the design of hospitals impacts patient treatment and recovery, all americans deserve a healthy diet. here’s one way to help make that happen, bu cte center: lewiston, maine, mass shooter had traumatic brain injury, can cleaner classroom air help kids do better at school, carb-x funds 100th project—a milestone for bu-based nonprofit leading antimicrobial-resistance fightback, is covid-19 still a pandemic, what is language and how does it evolve, the secrets of living to 100.

The Ethics of Hunting: Debating the Pros and Cons

Hunting has been a part of human life since ancient times. While it used to be essential for survival, nowadays, hunting is mostly done as a recreational activity. However, hunting has also been a topic of controversy and debate for decades, especially when it comes to its ethics. On one hand, hunting advocates argue that hunting can be a necessary tool for wildlife conservation and management, while on the other hand, animal rights activists believe that hunting is cruel and inhumane. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of hunting and its ethical implications.

Introduction

In this section, we will provide an overview of the topic and the importance of discussing the ethics of hunting. We will also introduce the main arguments of both hunting advocates and animal rights activists.

The Pros of Hunting

We will discuss the arguments of hunting advocates who believe that hunting can be a useful tool for wildlife conservation and management. We will explore how hunting can help control animal populations, prevent overgrazing, and fund conservation efforts. We will also discuss the benefits of hunting for local economies and tourism.

Controlling Animal Populations

By selectively targeting specific animals, hunters can help manage wildlife populations, ensuring that resources are not depleted beyond the environment’s carrying capacity. Overpopulation can lead to food scarcity, disease outbreaks, and damage to ecosystems, jeopardizing the well-being of both wildlife and humans.

In addition, regulated hunting programs provide funding for conservation efforts . Revenue generated from hunting licenses and fees goes towards habitat preservation, wildlife research, and maintaining protected areas. This financial support plays a vital role in safeguarding natural habitats and promoting sustainable practices.

When done ethically and within established guidelines, hunting can be an effective tool for wildlife management and conservation. It allows for the preservation of biodiversity and the protection of delicate ecosystems, contributing to the long-term sustainability of our natural world.

Preventing Overgrazing

Overgrazing occurs when herbivores consume vegetation beyond the capacity of the land to regenerate. This leads to the degradation of ecosystems, soil erosion, and a decline in biodiversity. Hunting can act as a natural mechanism to control the population sizes of herbivores, ensuring that grazing remains within sustainable limits.

By selectively harvesting specific animals, hunters help prevent overgrazing by reducing the pressure on vegetation. This intervention allows plant life to regenerate, ensuring a continuous food supply for herbivores and other wildlife species. The result is a healthier ecosystem that can support a more diverse array of plants and animals.

Moreover, hunting can provide economic incentives for landowners to manage their properties responsibly. Through hunting permits and fees, revenue is generated, which can be invested in land conservation, habitat restoration, and implementing sustainable land management practices.

When conducted ethically and in adherence to regulations, hunting can be an effective tool in preventing overgrazing. It promotes the long-term health of ecosystems, safeguards biodiversity, and fosters sustainable land use practices, ensuring the preservation of our natural heritage.

Funding Conservation Efforts

The funds generated from hunting licenses, permits, and fees play a crucial role in supporting conservation projects. These financial resources are allocated towards activities such as habitat preservation, wildlife research, anti-poaching measures, and the establishment and maintenance of protected areas. The revenue generated through hunting can be a vital source of funding, especially in regions where conservation budgets are limited.

Furthermore, hunting programs incentivize the conservation and management of wildlife populations. By implementing regulations and quotas, hunting helps ensure sustainable practices that maintain healthy population levels. This approach safeguards biodiversity, prevents overpopulation, and helps maintain the ecological balance within ecosystems.

In addition, hunting can foster a sense of stewardship among hunters. Many hunting organizations actively promote conservation education and ethical hunting practices , instilling a deep respect for nature and the importance of preserving wildlife habitats.

While the topic of hunting remains contentious, it is clear that when properly regulated and managed, hunting can provide crucial financial support for conservation efforts. By channeling funds towards conservation initiatives, hunting contributes to the protection of wildlife and the preservation of our natural heritage for future generations.

Benefits for Local Economies and Tourism

Hunting activities create employment opportunities, supporting outfitters, guides, and hunting lodges. These businesses provide services such as equipment rental, lodging, transportation, and meals, which directly contribute to the local economy. Additionally, the associated supply chain, including retail stores and restaurants, benefits from increased demand during hunting seasons.

Furthermore, hunting can attract tourists from near and far, boosting the tourism industry. Hunting enthusiasts often travel to explore new hunting grounds and experience the thrill of pursuing game in different regions. This influx of visitors leads to increased spending on accommodations, dining, transportation, and other local attractions, benefiting hotels, restaurants, shops, and recreational activities.

Local governments also benefit from hunting through the collection of hunting licenses, permits, and taxes. The revenue generated can be reinvested in infrastructure development, conservation efforts, and community services, improving the quality of life for residents.

While opinions on hunting may vary, its positive impact on local economies and tourism cannot be denied. When conducted responsibly, hunting contributes to job creation, revenue generation, and increased tourism, providing economic opportunities and supporting the growth of rural communities.

The Cons of Hunting

In this section, we will discuss the arguments of animal rights activists who believe that hunting is cruel and inhumane. We will explore how hunting can cause animal suffering and the ethical implications of killing animals for sport.

Animal Suffering

Animals targeted by hunters often endure prolonged suffering. The use of firearms, bows, or traps can result in wounds that are not immediately fatal, subjecting animals to prolonged agony. Moreover, hunting can disrupt the social dynamics of animal communities , leaving orphaned offspring vulnerable to starvation and predation.

There is also the concern of fair chase. In some instances, hunters use techniques such as baiting, hounding, or shooting from a distance to secure kills, which raises questions about the fairness and ethics of the practice.

While regulations and guidelines aim to minimize suffering, instances of wounded animals escaping and dying slowly remain a distressing reality of hunting.

As our understanding of animal welfare deepens, the ethical implications of hunting’s impact on animal suffering cannot be overlooked. Alternative methods of wildlife management that prioritize non-lethal approaches should be explored, ensuring that conservation efforts and population control are achieved without unnecessary pain and suffering.

Killing Animals for Sport

In the pursuit of trophies or personal satisfaction, some hunters prioritize the thrill of the kill over genuine necessity or sustenance. This approach raises ethical questions about the moral value of intentionally ending an animal’s life for personal gratification.

Moreover, the concept of fair chase is often called into question. The use of high-powered rifles, advanced hunting technologies, and enclosed hunting preserves can tilt the balance heavily in favor of the hunter, potentially undermining the principles of fairness and respect for wildlife.

Critics argue that killing animals solely for sport goes against our evolving understanding of animal welfare and the inherent value of all living beings. Advocates for conservation and animal rights emphasize the importance of promoting non-lethal forms of wildlife appreciation and conservation, focusing on ethical and sustainable practices that prioritize the well-being of animals.

While hunting can have valid arguments for its place in wildlife management, the act of killing animals for sport remains a significant ethical concern. Encouraging alternative forms of engagement with wildlife that respect their intrinsic value and promote their well-being is crucial for a more compassionate approach to conservation.

The Ethics of Hunting

In this section, we will discuss the ethical implications of hunting and how it can be viewed differently based on cultural, social, and personal beliefs. We will explore how hunting can be seen as a necessary tool for some, while others consider it cruel and unnecessary.

Cultural and Social Beliefs

The ethics surrounding hunting are deeply rooted in cultural and social beliefs, with diverse perspectives shaping our understanding of this controversial practice. Cultural and societal contexts heavily influence the perception of hunting, making it a complex and nuanced ethical issue.

For many indigenous and traditional communities, hunting holds significant cultural, spiritual, and subsistence value. These communities view hunting as an integral part of their identity, passed down through generations as a means of sustenance and connection to the natural world. For them, hunting is deeply embedded in their cultural heritage and traditional practices.

Conversely, in modern urban societies, hunting is often met with skepticism and criticism. Animal welfare concerns, shifting attitudes towards animals as sentient beings, and the availability of alternative food sources contribute to the ethical debate surrounding hunting. Many argue that hunting for sport or personal pleasure contradicts evolving ethical values that prioritize minimizing harm and promoting the well-being of animals.

The clash of cultural and social beliefs highlights the need for respectful dialogue and understanding. Recognizing and respecting diverse perspectives can foster a more inclusive and nuanced conversation about the ethics of hunting. It is essential to consider the impacts on animal welfare, ecological balance, and cultural traditions when assessing the ethical implications of hunting practices.

Personal Beliefs

The ethics of hunting are profoundly influenced by personal beliefs, with individuals forming their own perspectives on this contentious practice. Personal values, experiences, and moral compasses shape one’s stance on hunting, making it a highly subjective and complex matter.

Some individuals view hunting as a means of connecting with nature, embracing a responsible and sustainable approach to obtaining food. They argue that engaging in the process of hunting allows for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world, fostering a sense of self-sufficiency and environmental awareness.

On the other hand, many people hold strong opposition to hunting, driven by their personal beliefs about animal rights and the inherent value of all living beings. They perceive hunting as an unnecessary and unethical act, asserting that alternatives such as plant-based diets and conservation efforts should be prioritized to protect wildlife populations and promote compassionate values.

Navigating the ethics of hunting requires respectful dialogue and consideration of diverse perspectives. Recognizing that personal beliefs play a significant role in shaping ethical stances on hunting allows for constructive conversations that promote understanding and empathy.

Ultimately, the ethics of hunting are deeply personal and reflective of individual values and experiences. It is important to engage in open and respectful discussions that encourage critical thinking and empathy towards differing viewpoints, fostering a more holistic understanding of the complex ethical considerations surrounding hunting.

In this section, we will summarize the main points of the article and provide our own perspective on the ethics of hunting. We will encourage readers to form their own

Based on the arguments presented, it is clear that the ethics of hunting is a complex and multifaceted issue. While hunting can have benefits for wildlife conservation and management, it can also cause animal suffering and ethical dilemmas. Ultimately, the decision to hunt or not is a personal choice that should be informed by one’s values and beliefs.

However, it is important to note that hunting should be done responsibly and ethically. This includes following hunting regulations and guidelines, using proper hunting equipment and techniques, and minimizing animal suffering. It is also important to respect the animals being hunted and their role in the ecosystem.

In conclusion, the ethics of hunting is a topic that continues to spark debate and controversy. While hunting can have benefits for wildlife conservation and local economies, it can also cause animal suffering and ethical dilemmas. It is important to consider both sides of the argument and make informed decisions based on personal values and beliefs.

• Is hunting necessary for wildlife conservation?

While hunting can be a useful tool for wildlife conservation and management, it is not the only option. There are other methods, such as habitat conservation and non-lethal wildlife management, that can be used to maintain healthy and sustainable ecosystems.

• How can hunting be done ethically?

Hunting can be done ethically by following hunting regulations and guidelines, using proper hunting equipment and techniques, and minimizing animal suffering.

• Is hunting for sport ethical?

The ethics of hunting for sport is a matter of personal opinion and values. Some people believe that killing animals for sport is unethical, while others see it as a legitimate form of recreation.

• Does hunting benefit local economies?

Hunting can have economic benefits for local communities, such as creating jobs and bringing in tourism revenue. However, these benefits should be balanced with the ethical considerations of hunting.

• Can hunting be a sustainable practice?

Hunting can be a sustainable practice if it is done responsibly and in accordance with wildlife management principles. This includes monitoring animal populations, using selective harvest methods, and minimizing waste.

One Reply to “The Ethics of Hunting: Debating the Pros and Cons”

• Pingback: The History of Hunting: From Survival to Sport - Wild Boar Outdoors

Comments are closed.

Related Posts

Revolutionizing the Hunt: Mastering the Art of Drone-Assisted Hunting

Introduction: In the realm of hunting, tradition meets innovation as…

12 Hunting Hacks: How to Hunt Like a Pro, and Not Like a Fool

If you're a seasoned hunter or a beginner, you'll learn…

Don’t Be a Boar: How to Make Your Wild Boar Hunting Experience Unforgettable

Introduction Are you an adventurous individual who enjoys the thrill…

📕 Studying HQ

Argumentative essay topics about animals, rachel r.n..

• September 10, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas

Looking for a good argumentative essay topic about animals? You’re in luck! We’ve put together a list of 20 topics that will get you started.

Argumentative essay topics about animals can be divided into three categories: animal rights, animal welfare, and animal testing. Each one of these topics could be argued from multiple perspectives.

Animal rights is the belief that animals should have the same basic rights as humans, including the right to life and liberty. Animal welfare is the view that animals should be treated humanely and with compassion, and that their well-being should be given consideration. Animal testing is the use of animals in scientific experiments to further our understanding of health and disease.

All three of these topics are controversial , which makes them perfect for an argumentative essay. So without further ado, here are 20 argumentative essay topics about animals!

What You'll Learn

Thirty Argumentative Essay Topics about Animals

1. Zoos are inhumane and should be banned. 2. Animal testing is cruel and should be outlawed. 3. Pets should not be allowed in public places. 4. Service animals should be exempt from laws banning animals in public places. 5. Hunter education should be mandatory for all hunters. 6. Trapping should be banned because it’s inhumane. 7. Fur coats should be banned because of the cruelty involved in obtaining the fur. 8. The exotic animal trade should be banned because it’s cruel and often results in the animal’s death. 9. Animal hoarders should be required to get help for their mental health issues and have their animals seized. 10. It should be illegal to breed dogs for physical characteristics that cause them health problems.

11. Puppy mills should be outlawed because of the inhumane conditions the animals are kept in. 12. Animal fighting should be banned because it’s cruel and often results in the animal’s death. 13. The use of animals in entertainment should be banned because it’s cruel. 14. Factory farming should be banned because of the inhumane conditions the animals are kept in. 15. Animals should not be kept in zoos because it’s cruel and they’re often not able to live a natural life. 16. It should be illegal to hunt animals for sport because it’s cruel and often results in the animal’s death. 17. The use of animals for research should be banned because it’s cruel and often results in the animal’s death. 18. It should be illegal to buy or sell ivory because it contributes to the poaching of elephants. 19. It should be illegal to buy or sell endangered animal parts because it contributes to the decline of those species. 20. The ownership of exotic animals should be banned because it’s cruel and often results in the animal’s death

Twenty Argumentative Essay Topics on Animals to Write About

1. Is it morally wrong to keep animals in captivity? 2. Should the hunting of animals be banned? 3. Is it cruel to declaw cats? 4. Should there be a ban on bullfighting? 5. How does the animal welfare movement impact the lives of animals? 6. Is it morally wrong to eat meat? 7. Should more be done to protect endangered species? 8. What is the impact of zoos on animals? 9. How do humans benefit from keeping animals in zoos? 10. Are factory farms cruel to animals? 11. What is the impact of animal testing on human health? 12. Should the use of fur be banned? 13. What are the benefits of having a pet? 14. How does animal agriculture impact the environment? 15. What is the relationship between humans and animals? 16. How does our treatment of animals reflect our values as a society? 17. Do we have a responsibility to care for all animals, or just those that are cute and cuddly? 18. How can we make sure that all animals are treated humanely? 19. What are some ways that people mist

Animal topics for research papers

There are many different animal topics that you can choose to write about for your research paper. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Animal testing: Is it necessary? 2. The pros and cons of zoos 3. Are exotic animals good or bad pets? 4. The link between animal abuse and domestic violence 5. How do we define “humane” treatment of animals? 6. Should there be more regulations on the breeding of animals? 7. The impact of climate change on wildlife 8. How humans can coexist with dangerous animals 9. The ethical debate surrounding the consumption of animal products 10. Are there alternatives to using animals for research purposes?

Animal topics for essay

There are many different animal topics that you can choose to write about for your essay . Here are some ideas to get you started:

-The pros and cons of keeping animals in captivity -The ethical considerations of animal testing -The impact of human activity on endangered species -The complex social hierarchies of animal societies -The fascinating world of animal communication -The incredible adaptability of animals to changing environments-The unique and important role of animals in ecosystem

You can also check out :

How Many Sentences Are in a Paragraph

Creative Narrative Essay Topics

Creative Synthesis Essay Topics

1 Step on how to write an introduction for an argumentative essay

Find out more  Capstone Project Ideas for Nursing Leadership [50 Topics]

check out  130+ Good nursing capstone project ideas to Write About )

As you continue,  thestudycorp.com  has the top and most qualified writers to help with any of your assignments. All you need to do is  place an order

Start by filling this short order form order.studyinghq.com

And then follow the progressive flow. 

Having an issue, chat with us here

Cathy, CS. 

New Concept ? Let a subject expert write your paper for You​

Have a subject expert write for you now, have a subject expert finish your paper for you, edit my paper for me, have an expert write your dissertation's chapter, popular topics.

Business StudyingHq Essay Topics and Ideas How to Guides Samples

• Nursing Solutions
• Study Guides
• Free Study Database for Essays
• Privacy Policy
• Writing Service 
• Discounts / Offers 

Study Hub: 

• Studying Blog
• Topic Ideas 
• How to Guides
• Business Studying 
• Nursing Studying 
• Literature and English Studying

Writing Tools  

• Citation Generator
• Topic Generator
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Conclusion Maker
• Research Title Generator
• Thesis Statement Generator
• Summarizing Tool
• Terms and Conditions
• Confidentiality Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Refund and Revision Policy

Our samples and other types of content are meant for research and reference purposes only. We are strongly against plagiarism and academic dishonesty. 

Contact Us:

📧 [email protected]

📞 +15512677917

2012-2024 © studyinghq.com. All rights reserved

103 Hunting Essay Topics & Examples

Looking for good hunting essay topics? The oldest known human activity is worth exploring!

🏆 Best Hunting Essay Examples

📌 hunting argumentative essay topics, 🏹 interesting hunting essay topics, 👍 good essay topics on hunting, 🦌 controversial hunting topics to write about, ❓ questions about hunting.

Hunting has a long history. Many scientists agree that it was the thing that influenced human evolution. Early humans started making and using stone tools to make hunting more effective. This activity was long critical for people’s survival and still remains critical in some places of the world. However, in developed countries it is now used mostly for recreation.

In a hunting essay, you might want to focus on the reasons why hunting is good or bad for the environment. One more idea is to discuss if hunting should be allowed. Another controversial topic is the ethical aspects of this activity. Finally, you can collect hunting safety tips.

If you are looking for hunting essay topics, you’re in the right place. In this article, you’ll find great hunting topics to research, paper titles, and hunting essay examples for your inspiration.

• Human Behavior and Psychology in “The Good Will Hunting” by Gus Van Sant The second important person with him is his best friend Chukie, who he tells that he would love to be a laborer for the rest of his life.
• Hunting and Gathering Agricultural practices were implemented 10,000 years ago, and it has since played a vital role in the replacement of hunting and the gathering as a way of livelihood. In ancient times, hunting was seen as […]
• What Theory or Theories of Counseling are Observed in the Film Good Will Hunting? It is crucial to state that there are too many therapists who refused to work with Will Hunting because of a number of reasons, the main of which was the character’s contempt to them.
• Ken Liu’s “Good Hunting” and The Perfect Match This essay aims to explore the elements of defamiliarization that are evident in the two works and to summarize the points to show how the use of this technique differs in the stories.
• “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”: The Bedroom and Hunting Scenes Consequently, from this point on, the narrative splits into two parallel lines that show the reader the perspective of the lord and Gawain throughout the day.
• History of Hunting: Evolution and Improvement Contrary to the modern trend of hunting being more of a sport, during the pre-civilization era hunting was one of the main means of survival.
• The Change of Canadian Indigenous Hunting History Despite the advancement of this source of livelihood, the need to regulate the utilization of natural resources, replenish the food supply, and maintain the land formed a critical part of the Indigenous peoples’ practices.
• Hunting, Death, and Free Will: “No Country for Old Men” by the Coen Brothers From the beginning, the directors of the film warn the viewer that the movie is about at least two things: hunting and death.
• Hunting Netiquette Violations This is a message attached to people’s mails without their consent. An example of this violation is a word-for-word plagiarism.
• Licensing of Hunting in the United States The positive effects linked with the exercise include the revenue it generates for the economy through the sale of animal products and the reintroduction of game species that were previously phased out by poaching activities.
• Allowing Licensing of Hunting in the United States The statistics and view on the partial data are essential to verify and defend other information from other researches in the study about the nature and extent of hunting alongside the journey on hunting in […]
• The Impacts of Hunting Prohibitions on People This paper highlights the article’s credibility by proving that the authors carried out research and shows its usefulness to readers and policymakers through various cases on the impacts of hunting prohibitions among the communities.
• The Problem of the Whale Hunting It should be noted that ordinary citizens can participate actively in the reduction and subsequent elimination of this trade. This way, control and a sense of direction are instilled in the whaling society.
• Ethical Aspect of Hunting: Dilemma of Hunting Ethics This paper illustrates the ethical aspects of hunting on the basis of human as the hunter versus animals as the hunted.
• The Wild Boar Hunting Experience Not the most pleasant experience in the world, rubbing mud and whatever other kind of natural goo I could find in various strategic spots on my body, but I did the best I could and […]
• Hunting in Wildlife Refuges in California In addition, the lack of regulations and the prohibition of hunting in wildlife refuges in its entirety has led to the overpopulation of certain species and the introduction of imbalance to the ecosystem, with the […]
• Environmental Issue: Hunting on Whales The case study at hand presents an environmental issue involving the Makah tribe that had hunted whales over two thousand years until the 1920s when this practice had to be discontinued due to the decline […]
• Church Role in Witch Hunting Despite the fact that a lot of research has been done on the history of witch prosecution and the part of the Church in it, it is still debatable whether its power exceeded the influence […]
• Hunting, Its Moral and Environmental Issues The first fact refers to the idea that there is nothing more natural than hunting, and that is why it is normal.
• Hunting a Christmas Tree by Barbara Dean This story is an amazing combination of natural beauty, human pretentiousness, and despair that may spoil even the most beautiful events in a human life like Christmas.”Hunting a Christmas Tree” is Dean’s personal position on […]
• Gender Studies: Gathering and Hunting Abilities For instance, the hunting skills of men can be attributed to their being dominant in the arm simply because they have a better chance of hitting the target than women do because of their better […]
• Whaling in Japan: Justifiable by Culture? The gap in reasoning when it comes to utilizing the concept of “scientific research” as a means of justifying the hunting of various whale species by Japanese whalers is the obvious fact that you do […]
• No Excuse: Whale Hunting in Japan When examining the basis of the treaty established by the International Whaling Commission in relation to the protection of the whale species it can be seen that the entirety of the document was meant to […]
• The Growing Use of Firearms in Sports and Leisure Hunting Today
• The Hunting and Gathering Societies of The Kung, Shoshone, and Mbuti Tribes
• Prey Are Better Protected From Visually Hunting Predators
• Wildlife Valuation: The Collective Good Aspect of Hunting
• The Effects Of Hunting And Fishing On The Economy
• The Norwegian And Japanese Position On Permitting The Hunting
• The Negative Effects of Stopping Hunting and Trophy Hunting to the Animal Ecosystem
• Trophy Hunting and Its Benefits in Economic and Conservation Significance of the Trophy Hunting Industry in Sub-Saharan Africa
• The Kung, Shoshone, And Mbuti Tribes: Hunting And Gathering Societies
• The Benefits of Hunting for Food in Hunting, Climate Change and the Future of Food, an Article by Nick Romero
• The Deer Hunter: The Unintended Effects of Hunting Regulations
• Trophy Hunting : A Common Controversial Issue Among People
• Seal Hunting in Canada’s Coast Angered Animal Rights Activists
• The Symbiotic Lives of People in The Hunting Snake, a Poem by Judith Wright
• Traditional Hunting and Its Relevance to Eskimo Societies
• The Reactive Attachment Disorder of Will in Good Will Hunting, a Movie by Gus Van Sant
• The Role and Contributions of Hunting and the Issues Surrounding the Sport
• The Importance Of Hunting In Sir Gawain And The Green Knight
• The Necessity of Legalizing Wolf Hunting in Wisconsin
• The Traits of the People of Hunting and Gathering Societies
• Types Of Hypoallergenic Hunting Dogs
• Why The Hunting Can It Affect The Surrounding Ecosystem
• The Economics of Hunting, Game-Preservation, and Their Legal Setting
• The Importance Of Pursuing Love Is No Different Than Hunting A Deer
• The Relationship of the Characters of Will and Skylar in the Movie Good Will Hunting
• The Intrigues of Hunting and Gathering Chimpanzees
• The Dangers and Inhumanity of Big Game Trophy Hunting
• The Effects of Mercury Contamination in Pheasants on the Value of Pheasant Hunting in Oregon
• Whaling: The Hunting Of Fin Whales In Antarctic Ocean
• Why Is Hunting Good For The Environment
• What Theory Or Theories Of Counseling Are Observed In The Film Good Will Hunting
• Witch-Hunting in Seventeenth Century New England
• The Controversy Surrounding the Bloody Sport of Fox Hunting
• Why Sport Hunting is Cruel and Unnecessary
• The Patriot Act: Hunting Terrorists or Civil Liberties
• The Hunting of People in The Most Dangerous Game, a Book by Richard Connell
• The Pros and Cons of Hunting and the Controversies Surrounding the Practice of Killing or Trapping Animals
• Witch Hunting And Branding : Rural Areas Of India
• Procreation, Fishing, and Hunting: Renewable Resources and Dynamic Planar Systems
• Valuing Characteristics Of Transferable Deer Hunting Permits In Kansas
• Social Sites: Virtual Playgrounds Or Predatory Hunting Grounds
• The Growing Importance and Value Implications of Recreational Hunting Leases to Agricultural Land Investors in America
• Shark Hunting: The Loss of an Apex Predator, and the Corruption of the Ocean Ecosystem
• The Economic Value of Lottery-rationed Recreational Hunting
• User Fees and Equity Issues in Public Hunting Expenditures: The Case of Ring-Necked Pheasant in Oregon
• The Impacts of Hunting and Gathering in the Paleolithic Period
• Whale Hunting and its Significance to the Makah Culture
• The Market Value of Ingress Rights for White-Tailed Deer Hunting in Texas
• Why Hunting Animals For Sport Shouldn’t Be Banned
• Promoting Successful Hunting and Fertility with Paleolithic Art
• How Has Hunting Changed Over the Last 100 Years?
• Why Is Animal Hunting Still Legal in Many Countries?
• What State Has the Best Hunting Laws?
• Do LED Flashlights Make Hunting Easier?
• What Are the Differences Between Hunting and Fishing?
• Will All Hunting Be Illegal in the Future?
• Is Hunting an Ethical Way to Eat?
• Why Should Fox Hunting Be Banned?
• What Damage Is Big Game Hunting Doing in Africa?
• How Can Trophy Hunting Help Many Endangered Species?
• What Would Happen if Hunting Was Not Banned in India?
• Is Hunting Good or Bad for the Environment?
• Why Is Fox Hunting Illegal in England?
• How Is Hunting in America Different Than Any Other Country in the World?
• Why Do People Get a Thrill From Hunting and Killing Animals?
• Is Sport Hunting a Breakthrough Wildlife Conservation Strategy for Africa?
• What Is the Punishment for Hunting in India?
• Should Trophy Hunting Be Banned, as It Is Just Cruelty for Entertainment?
• What Is the Best Argument for Hunting?
• Why Did Humans Begin Hunting?
• How Long Has Hunting Been Around?
• What Country in Europe Has the Best Hunting?
• How Big Is the Hunting Industry in the US?
• What Effect Does Overhunting Have on the Environment?
• How Does Subsistence Hunting Work in Alaska?
• What Are the Problems of Hunting in the US?
• Which State Has the Most Public Hunting Land in the United States?
• Should Hunting Around the World Only Be Allowed for Food?
• Where Is the Best Turkey Hunting in the World?
• What Is the Most Popular Type of Hunting?
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, May 24). 103 Hunting Essay Topics & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hunting-essay-topics/

"103 Hunting Essay Topics & Examples." IvyPanda , 24 May 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hunting-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '103 Hunting Essay Topics & Examples'. 24 May.

IvyPanda . 2023. "103 Hunting Essay Topics & Examples." May 24, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hunting-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "103 Hunting Essay Topics & Examples." May 24, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hunting-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "103 Hunting Essay Topics & Examples." May 24, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hunting-essay-topics/.

• Endangered Species Questions
• Extinction Research Topics
• Wildlife Ideas
• Meat Research Ideas
• Animal Farm Research Topics
• Fishing Research Topics
• Hobby Research Ideas
• Animal Abuse Research Topics
• Nature vs Nurture Research Topics
• Animal Rights Research Ideas
• Entertainment Ideas
• Cruelty to Animals Titles
• Ecosystem Essay Topics
• Salem Witch Trials Research Topics
• Animal Welfare Ideas

The Ethics of Hunting: Some Philosophical Questions to Consider

Photo Credit: Kelly Cox

In these two articles, some philosophical questions about the morality of hunting are explored.

In the first article, “ Is Hunting Moral?  A Philosopher Unpacks the Question,” Philosophy Ph.D. candidate, Joshua Duclos, discusses:

• Some of the rationales for why people hunt — conservation, subsistence, and trophy/sport hunting
• What bothers many people about hunting — harm, necessity, and character
• The relationship between naturalness and virtue and the challenges associated with the naturalness-morally good argument.

As a nonhunter, I cannot say anything about what it feels like to shoot or trap an animal. But as a student of philosophy and ethics, I think philosophy can help us clarify, systematize and evaluate the arguments on both sides. And a better sense of the arguments can help us talk to people with whom we disagree. — Joshua Duclos

The author’s intent is not to argue in favor or against hunting…but, rather, to introduce some of the philosophical nuts and bolts of the “is hunting moral?” debate, as well as make clear various distinctions.  To read Article 1 in its entirety, click here.

In the second article, “The Ethics of Hunting:  Can We Have Our Animal Ethics & Eat Them Too?,”   Michael P. Nelson, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife & the Department of Philosophy, Michigan State University, and Kelly F. Millenbah, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University , discuss some of the the l iterature on both sides of the debate regarding the morality of hunting (as it concerns animal welfare) . 

“When confronted with articulate and reasoned arguments from animal welfare ethicists,” they state, “those interested in defending hunting have three [basic] choices”

• Acquiesce and maintain that hunting is fundamentally incompatible with the direct moral standing of nonhuman animals
• Deny nonhuman animals direct moral standing
• Grant nonhuman animals direct moral standing and maintain that this is fundamentally compatible with hunting

[T]his third alternative suggests the challenge lies in articulating a position that unites hunting with a respect for life in its many forms.  A system where animals are respected but not hunted seems unacceptable to some in the wildlife community, while a system where animals are hunted but not respected seems unacceptable to nearly everyone.   The challenge is to answer the question: Can we both respect and hunt animals?  Can we have our animal ethics and eat them too? — Michael P. Nelson & Kelly F. Millenbah

Further, they say, the task ahead, is:

…to meld the philosopher’s’…grasp of ethics with the wildlife ecologists’ real-world and empirical knowledge …Certainly this conversation will be weird and uncomfortable at times….[But] given the limited progress in the debate over the ethics of hunting, we can no longer afford to avoid such discomfort.  It is hard to imagine a more appropriate way to honor the legacy of Aldo Leopold and Olaus Murie. — Michael P. Nelson & Kelly F. Millenbah To read Article 2 in its entirety, click here .

Additional Resources to Explore

Some articles & books.

• The History of Hunting and Conservation:  Ethical Dilemmas & Concerns
• Wildlife Management & Policy: Disease and De-Listing
• Hunting — Philosophy for Everyone:  In Search of the Wild Life
• Beyond Fair Chase:  The Ethic & Tradition of Hunting
• Philosophy Now:  An Interview with Roger Scruton on Animal Rights and Wrongs

Audio/Video

Watch & listen to audio/video and view photos from each walk in our 3-Part Fall Philosophy Walk Series on environmental ethics, conservation, preservation, hunting & hunting ethics, wildlife management, governance/policy & community.

• Walk 1 (Environmental Ethics, Conservation & Preservation)
• Walk 2 (History of Conservation, Hunting & Ethics)
• Walk 3 (Wildlife Management & Policy)

Comments are closed.

A Non-Profit Organization

• Search for: Search

Merlin Events Calendar

Make a Donation

By investing in philosophy, you are investing in community.  Please don your toga by making a tax-deductible donation today and/or by becoming a sustaining donor!

Special Project

Learn more about our 2024-2025 special public philosophy project on homelessness.

Stay in the Loop

Things to Consider

Testimonials.

Community Hubs

Want to help bring a new program to the Helena & Mountain West communities?  Our Community Hubs project is an innovative vision for public humanities that re-centers community as a place of learning.   Learn more about our vision & how you can help support it here!

We Love Our Donors!

The Value of Philosophy

Proud Members

The Edvocate

• Lynch Educational Consulting
• Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
• Write For Us
• The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
• The Edvocate Podcast
• Terms and Conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Assistive Technology
• Best PreK-12 Schools in America
• Child Development
• Classroom Management
• Early Childhood
• EdTech & Innovation
• Education Leadership
• First Year Teachers
• Gifted and Talented Education
• Special Education
• Parental Involvement
• Policy & Reform
• Best Colleges and Universities
• Best College and University Programs
• HBCU’s
• Higher Education EdTech
• Higher Education
• International Education
• The Awards Process
• Finalists and Winners of The 2022 Tech Edvocate Awards
• Finalists and Winners of The 2021 Tech Edvocate Awards
• Finalists and Winners of The 2020 Tech Edvocate Awards
• Finalists and Winners of The 2019 Tech Edvocate Awards
• Finalists and Winners of The 2018 Tech Edvocate Awards
• Finalists and Winners of The 2017 Tech Edvocate Awards
• Award Seals
• GPA Calculator for College
• GPA Calculator for High School
• Cumulative GPA Calculator
• Grade Calculator
• Weighted Grade Calculator
• Final Grade Calculator
• The Tech Edvocate
• AI Powered Personal Tutor

College Minor: Everything You Need to Know

14 fascinating teacher interview questions for principals, tips for success if you have a master’s degree and can’t find a job, 14 ways young teachers can get that professional look, which teacher supplies are worth the splurge, 8 business books every teacher should read, conditional admission: everything you need to know, college majors: everything you need to know, 7 things principals can do to make a teacher observation valuable, 3 easy teacher outfits to tackle parent-teacher conferences.

Hunting Argumentative Essay Topics

• The Increasing Use of Assault Weapons in Sports and Leisure Hunting Today
• Prey Are Fully Protected from Optically Hunting Predators
• Wildlife Appraisal: The Collaborative Good Characteristic of Hunting
• The Economic Impacts of Hunting and Fishing
• The Norwegian and Japanese Positions on Hunting Permits
• The Detrimental Consequences of Stopping Hunting and Trophy Hunting on the Animal Ecosystem
• Trophy Hunting and Its Economic Advantages in Economy and Society and Preservation
• The Importance of Trophy Hunting in Sub-Saharan Africa
• The Kung, Shoshone, and Mbuti Tribes: Hunting and Amassing Communities
• The Advantages of Hunting for Food in Shooting Animals, Environmental Issues and the Future of Food, an Article by Nick Romero
• The Unexpected Consequences of Hunting Regulations
• Trophy Hunting: A Widespread Controversial Subject Among People
• Seal Hunting on Canada’s Coast Has Enraged Animal Rights Activists.

Interesting Hunting Essay Topics

• The Importance of Conventional Hunting in Eskimo Societies
• The Compulsive Obsessive Disorder of Will in Good Will Hunting , a Movie by Gus Van Sant
• Hunting’s Involvement and Accomplishments, as Well as the Issues Surrounding the Sport
• Hunting’s Significance in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
• The Significance of Wolf Hunting in Wisconsin
• The Characteristics of Individuals in Hunting and Gathering Societies
• Kinds of Hypoallergenic Hunting Dogs
• The Economics of Hunting, Game Conservation, and the Legal Framework
• The Significance of Seeking Love Is No Different Than Hunting a Deer
• The Connection of the Personalities of Will and Skylar in the Movie Good Will Hunting

Good Essay Topics on Hunting

• The Perplexes of Hunting and Collecting Chimpanzees
• The Risks and Dehumanization of Big Game Trophy Hunting
• The Consequences of Mercury Contamination in Pheasants on Pheasant Hunting Value in Oregon
• Whaling: The Constantly Searching of Fin Whales in the Antarctic Ocean
• Why Is Hunting Beneficial to the Environment?
• What Concept or Concepts of Counselling Are Demonstrated in the Film Good Will Hunting
• The Dispute Over the Bloody Sport of Fox Hunting
• Why Sport Hunting Is Harsh and Ineffective
• The Patriot Act: Terrorism or Personal Freedoms?
• The Benefits and Drawbacks of Hunting, as Well as the Controversies Surrounding the Practice of Killing or Trapping Animals

Controversial Hunting Topics to Write About

• Witch Hunting and Brand Recognition in Rural India
• Inexhaustible and Adaptive Planar Systems in Procreation, Fishery, and Scavenging
• Appreciating Character Traits of Transferable Deer Hunting Permits in Kansas
• Social Networking Sites: Digital Play Areas or Predatory Hunting Grounds?
• The Expanding Significance and Value Consequences of Recreational Hunting Leases to Agricultural Land Investors in America
• Shark Hunting: The Extinction of an Apex Predator and the Deterioration of the Ocean Ecosystem
• The Competitive Benefit of Lottery-Rationed Recreational Hunting
• Administrative Costs and Disparities in Public Hunting Expenditures: The Case of Ring-Necked Pheasant in Oregon
• The Influences of Hunting and Gathering in the Palaeolithic Period
• Whale Hunting and Its Significance in Makah Culture
• The Market Value of Authentication Rights for White-Tailed Deer Hunting in Texas
• Why Hunting Animals for Athletics Shouldn’t Be Banned
• Publicizing Effective Hunting and Procreation: with Palaeolithic Art

Good Research Topics About Hypnosis

Performance assessment: everything you need to know.

Matthew Lynch

Related articles more from author, research topics about ethical relativism, fascinating essay topics about corn, brain-based essay topics, simple & easy narcissism essay topics, research topics about alfred hitchcock, simple & easy moral development essay topics.

Forgotten password

Please enter the email address that you use to login to TeenInk.com, and we'll email you instructions to reset your password.

• Poetry All Poetry Free Verse Song Lyrics Sonnet Haiku Limerick Ballad
• Fiction All Fiction Action-Adventure Fan Fiction Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Sci-fi/Fantasy Scripts & Plays Thriller/Mystery All Novels Action-Adventure Fan Fiction Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Sci-fi/Fantasy Thriller/Mystery Other
• Nonfiction All Nonfiction Bullying Books Academic Author Interviews Celebrity interviews College Articles College Essays Educator of the Year Heroes Interviews Memoir Personal Experience Sports Travel & Culture All Opinions Bullying Current Events / Politics Discrimination Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking Entertainment / Celebrities Environment Love / Relationships Movies / Music / TV Pop Culture / Trends School / College Social Issues / Civics Spirituality / Religion Sports / Hobbies All Hot Topics Bullying Community Service Environment Health Letters to the Editor Pride & Prejudice What Matters
• Reviews All Reviews Hot New Books Book Reviews Music Reviews Movie Reviews TV Show Reviews Video Game Reviews Summer Program Reviews College Reviews
• Art/Photo Art Photo Videos
• Summer Guide Program Links Program Reviews
• College Guide College Links College Reviews College Essays College Articles

Summer Guide

College guide.

• Song Lyrics

All Fiction

• Action-Adventure
• Fan Fiction
• Historical Fiction
• Realistic Fiction
• Sci-fi/Fantasy
• Scripts & Plays
• Thriller/Mystery

All Nonfiction

• Author Interviews
• Celebrity interviews
• College Articles
• College Essays
• Educator of the Year
• Personal Experience
• Travel & Culture

All Opinions

• Current Events / Politics
• Discrimination
• Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
• Entertainment / Celebrities
• Environment
• Love / Relationships
• Movies / Music / TV
• Pop Culture / Trends
• School / College
• Social Issues / Civics
• Spirituality / Religion
• Sports / Hobbies

All Hot Topics

• Community Service
• Letters to the Editor
• Pride & Prejudice
• What Matters

All Reviews

• Hot New Books
• Book Reviews
• Music Reviews
• Movie Reviews
• TV Show Reviews
• Video Game Reviews

Summer Program Reviews

• College Reviews
• Writers Workshop
• Regular Forums
• Program Links
• Program Reviews
• College Links

Hunting: A Persuasive Essay

Favorite Quote: "Believe me nothing is trivial"(The Crow)

The circle of life is what we call it even though others think it’s wrong. Sports like hunting and fishing are truly a good thing to have because without them there would be no humans on earth. Hunting has kept us alive for generations why stop now when people are beginning to question? If an emergency were to happen people who hunt would survive longer. People who hunt have smaller grocery bills because they don’t have to buy meat and they live longer off of the fresh meat then those who eat farm raised meat that was frozen at the store. There are many reasons why hunting is a good thing rather than a bad. First of all in case of an emergency like global warming, ice age, or anything that could possibly happen, hunters would survive longer because of the skill they acquired when young. It is a fact that when lost in the woods someone who can hunt will survive for at least a week more than someone who lives off plants they find. There are many other facts but one I like the most is that people who have the skill to hunt are better at defending themselves, so in chance of world war the 7% of people who hunt will be able to provide safety for their families. Additionally the price of food is going up, families with hunters do not need to pay for meat at least half of the year. The prices of common food and drink like milk and cookies have gone up to 50% more than in 2008, how much higher will the prices go in the next two years? Taking off the price of meat on a family’s grocery list for a year will give more then 10% savings! Would it not be great to be able to buy your cousins an extra Christmas gift, get yourself the new jacket you need, or even pay the workers to fix the leak in the roof? There are many more reasons why people who hunt will be better off. On the other hand there is plenty of logic against hunting, one reason being hunting for sport kills the animal even though they are too small to eat or use for anything but a trophy. Another reason being the animals are cute and killing them is sad, but there are many animals and all hunters do is keep the population in line. The last reason I have against hunting is that animals that are endangered are hunted to the point where there is none left. While all of these are good reasons there are more reasons why hunting should be allowed. Equally important a reason for not being able to hunt are gun laws, because some people make mistakes everyone who uses guns correctly are to be punished. For example last Friday the 16th of December 2012 a shooting occurred where 20 children where shot and 6 adults the man who did this was reported dead but to the people on the news this was the start of a storm. Gun law fanatics jumped at a reason to make guns illegal, to enforce more laws on innocents even though people who just use weapons to hunt did not do anything wrong. People jump at the chance to make things sound wrong to everyone when in fact it only affected few. These things happen in support of the grieving families, think of the families that have had hunting as a tradition through generations who’s sport and lifestyle will be changed. Again there are families in which hunting is a tradition passed down from father to son and even to daughters for generations. It is a fact that real father son bonding takes place when they go on their first hunting/fishing trip. Happy family events take place when a child shoots his/her first deer, they get their picture taken and people in the family get copies and most of the time it is ritual to give the first slice of meat to a mother or grandmother. In Conclusion, there are many reasons why people who hunt should have more respect and why it should be allowed instead of dismissed. People are safer, have more to eat, and have more money to spend when they have hunters in their family. I hope this essay has put an understanding in the hearts of people who did not understand. These have been facts on why hunting is good and a few facts about why it is not.

Similar Articles

Join the discussion.

This article has 4 comments.

Favorite Quote: life is full of surprises.

• Subscribe to Teen Ink magazine
• Submit to Teen Ink
• Find A College
• Find a Summer Program

Share this on

Send to a friend.

Thank you for sharing this page with a friend!

Tell my friends

Choose what to email.

Which of your works would you like to tell your friends about? (These links will automatically appear in your email.)

Send your email

Delete my account, we hate to see you go please note as per our terms and conditions, you agreed that all materials submitted become the property of teen ink. going forward, your work will remain on teenink.com submitted “by anonymous.”, delete this, change anonymous status, send us site feedback.

If you have a suggestion about this website or are experiencing a problem with it, or if you need to report abuse on the site, please let us know. We try to make TeenInk.com the best site it can be, and we take your feedback very seriously. Please note that while we value your input, we cannot respond to every message. Also, if you have a comment about a particular piece of work on this website, please go to the page where that work is displayed and post a comment on it. Thank you!

Pardon Our Dust

Teen Ink is currently undergoing repairs to our image server. In addition to being unable to display images, we cannot currently accept image submissions. All other parts of the website are functioning normally. Please check back to submit your art and photography and to enjoy work from teen artists around the world!

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

• Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
• Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
• Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
• Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
• Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
• Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

• Make a claim
• Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
• Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
• Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

• Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
• Cite data to support your claim
• Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
• Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

• Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
• Highlight the problems with this position
• Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
• Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

• Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
• Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
• Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
• Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/argumentative-essay/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, how to write a thesis statement | 4 steps & examples, how to write topic sentences | 4 steps, examples & purpose, how to write an expository essay, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essay Database >
• Essay Examples >
• Essays Topics >
• Essay on United States

Whether Or Not Hunting Should Be Used To Reduce Overpopulation Of Certain Animal Argumentative Essay

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: United States , Hunting , Society , Overpopulation , Population , Nature , Control , Animals

Words: 1250

Published: 03/17/2020

ORDER PAPER LIKE THIS

With its origin in the ancient times; hunting is still widely practiced all across the world. Some do it for fun, few do it for adventure and now the target is to reduce overpopulation of certain animal species by hunting. But, is this ethical? Hunting is one of those controversial topics that have no possible solution but continue to plague modern society. Human rights activists are totally against hunting. There are several pros and cons of hunting and having researched about all of them, I strongly condemn hunting to be a feasible way for eradication of overpopulated animal species. Humanity urges development of a pro-life stance amongst everyone and there are no valid reasons why humans would have the right to take lives. This just not concern animals, but such overactive psychologies can lead to other socially violent activities. Hunting should not be tolerated and is morally unacceptable.

HUNTING AND OVERPOPULATION

Hunting is morbid and subjecting any life to such cruelty is inhuman. In cases of overpopulation caused by abnormal natural occurrences, environmental methods of sustenance and conservation work naturally and bring about equilibrium. Nature has its own ways of providing a healthy life to the animals and survival of the fittest works even now. Therefore, to shoot an animal under the pretense of concern involving starvation or sickness is destructive. Animals tolerate painful deaths if they are injured by hunters and not killed. Those animals that escape from the hunters face starvation. Interruption in migration and hibernation patterns is caused by hunting. In Africa, the number of tuskless animals have increased due to elephant poaching, and in Canada, hunting has resulted in a reduced horn size of bighorn sheep’s (PETA). According to The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the awareness about the overpopulation of various species can arouse owing to damage caused to their habitat by the development sector, or natural predators may have been eliminated. But, this is usually overlooked. Here, HSUS suggests “humane wildlife-population control” involving “immunocontraception”. Though this method, humans can control animal populations as and when necessary. This method utilizes the body’s immune response and puts off pregnancy. By implementing this method, issues of overpopulation is ideally prevented without harming the animal or the population. Deer and wild horse populations in the US and elephant populations in Africa are successfully controlled utilizing immunocontraception. Therefore, when there are scientific ways to harmlessly control overpopulation, there isn’t any rationality behind hunting in modern society. Glenn Kirk of The Animals Voice noted that hunting causes severe suffering to wild animals and is “gratuitously cruel”. Hunting differs significantly from natural predation and hunters kill for pleasure-seeking purposes. Claims of balancing the wildlife population by hunting is actually void given that the hunters’ license are increasingly used to “manipulate a few game [target] species into overpopulation at the expense of a much larger number of non-game species, resulting in the loss of biological diversity, genetic integrity and ecological balance”. Also, a vast number of primary targets such as doves, wolves, squirrels and upland birds have least sustenance and do not demand population control (qt. in Davis’ “Does Hunting Help or Hurt the Environment?”). In a latest move, a five-year research project has been designed in one of the villages in the US to humanely stabilize the deer populations that thrive in the open habitat. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation approved the protocols and plans to involve highly skilled staffs from the HSUS to capture and inject a long-lasting form of the PZP vaccine to an estimated number of 60 female deer’s living in the Village of the Hastings-On-Hudson. Post-treatment, the deer’s will be observed for fawns and effectively control overpopulation (The Humane Society of the United States). It is extremely difficult to justify hunting on moral grounds. Recreation is always a priority for the hunters, and massive financial deals are made between hunters and private land owners. However, mentioned below are few explanations offered by hunters to support the viability behind hunting.

JUSTIFYING HUNTING

According to The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), trapping or removal can be an effective tool for elimination of overtly populated habitats. Usually, deer’s are considered to cause massive overpopulation and the DNR tries to justify hunting as an effective population control tool. They strive to cater towards the well being of the species and maintain populations at par with human activities. Hunting serves as the core method for sustaining deer populations at proper levels throughout North America. In a better explanation, the DNR came up with a survey result that states that less than 4 percent of deer hunters in Maryland considered a trophy to be the sole reason behind deer hunting. Though the DNR tried a great extent in accounting for deer hunting, but sadly it had to unleash that recreation was definitely one of the reasons behind deer hunting. Hunting gave rise to animal trafficking and involves huge ransom. It instigated several illegal activities worldwide and such acts should be penalized.

HUNTING AND ANIMAL TRAFFICKING

In Loew’s “Arizona organization protects 'canned' hunting”, canned hunts are big business that takes place on private lands. These places serve as “profit hunting reserves or game ranches”. Hunters often pay to kill animals that might be a native or bought from individuals involved in animal trafficking. Approximately, 5,000 “exotic ranchers” practice canned hunts in North America. Animals are kept in fenced enclosures from which they are unable to escape. Hunters pay a price to the owners and kill animals. Though states have restricted canned hunts, but there are no existing federal laws to stop such practices. Until the Congress co-sponsored bill- the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act is passed, it is impossible to stop trafficking and hunting of exotic species (Loew).

After a thorough research, it can be concluded that arguments over ethical hunting is baseless. Hunting is a vicious method to control overpopulation. In contemporary times that has an array of numerous scientific marvels; there is no possible reason to acknowledge the painful killing of animals. Concept of ethics doesn’t exist in hunting. Such practices lead to several criminal networks that can affect the human society as well. In several parts of the world, a number of popular animal species has fallen considerably. For instance, the restoration and preservation of tigers is extremely important. There can be counter-arguments that hunting is also done for consumption purposes. But, it should be noted that hunting should not be tolerated if it poses threat to species and results in extinction. As far as population control is concerned, there are better ways to manage it and considering hunting as an overpopulation management should be legally banned.

Works cited

Davis, Bill. Does Hunting Help or Hurt the Environment? Scientific American. 10 Nov. 2009. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. PETA. Why Sport Hunting Is Cruel and Unnecessary. 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. Loew, Morgan. Arizona organization protects 'canned' hunting. CBS5. 12 Nov. 2012. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. The Humane Society of the United States. Wildlife Overpopulation. 2014. Web. 23 Nov. 2014. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Wildlife and Heritage Service. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2014. The Humane Society of the United States. Deer Fertility Control Research Project Launched in The Village of Hastings-On-Hudson. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.

Cite this page

Share with friends using:

Removal Request

Finished papers: 366

This paper is created by writer with

ID 270440701

If you want your paper to be:

Well-researched, fact-checked, and accurate

Original, fresh, based on current data

Eloquently written and immaculately formatted

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

Get your papers done by pros!

Other Pages

Approach essays, legal drinking age essays, different styles essays, obese essays, scarce resources essays, war ii essays, the play essays, harsh essays, psychosocial essays, effective leadership essays, music theory essays, essay on after school delinquency prevention program, free research paper on follow up compliance with pre arranged primary care providers post emergency room, health care essay sample, cyber bullying essay, republican and liberal democratic positions essay sample, low back pain cost of illness essay sample, code of ethics for physical therapists without the use of drugs essay, report on internal briefing paper, research paper on procedures in the physical sciences, powers of congress essay, sample essay on receiving feedback, culturally responsive teachers in todays diverse classroom essay samples, example of objectives report, literary analysis assignment essay example, good chinese immigration to the united states of america research paper example, free report about comparison between social identity and realistic conflict theories, hand washing and bacteria report sample, example of the andrea yates case essay, free literature review on differential effects of egfr ligands on endocytic, external analysis of hd motorcycle manufacturer case study sample, good example of mathematics paper report, example of interactive advertisin campaign course work, essay on e business, free art architecture research paper example, art in the middle east research papers example, invasion of privacy case studies, public debt case studies, fatality case studies, timeliness case studies, cruise ship case studies, incapacity case studies, tracheostomy case studies.

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline