The Importance of Hunting

William Lassell

English- Atkinson

3-nov-2012

The Importance of Hunting

Much has been said about the relationship between nature and the farmer or nature and the gardener, but what of the connection between nature and the hunter? The connection does exist though today's society might say otherwise. In fact the bond between nature and the hunter might be stronger than that of the farmers. After all the hunter came from the farmer. Today's society has the misconception that the practice of hunting is destructive and evil, and this idea is continuously being taught to the future generations. In reality hunting is doing just the opposite. Hunting is an important part of nature that can keep it in balance but at the same must be carefully monitor so it does not get out of control.

In today's society many only know of the atrocities of hunting, or only look at the death created. In history there have been many situations sadly where it has caused great damage, and unnecessary death. Before Lewis and Clark had ventured West in the early 19th century, the plains the West were filled by the millions of a never before seen creature. The expanse of the herds could be seen for miles and they're movement could sometimes sound like thunder. Lewis and Clark had never seen anything like it in their lives. If they had lived to see what became of the bison herds in less than a hundred years they might not have believed it. The buffalo was a new animal for the white man but one that the Native Americans were quite familiar with. They depended on the bison for survival, and once this became known to the white man it was an understood goal that to eradicate the buffalo would also eradicate the Indians. With this end in mind thousands upon thousands of buffalo were cut down. U.S. Army cavalry soldiers would kill the animals for the tongues only and leave the rest of the body to rot. Some would kill for the fir only. Passengers on trains would even take potshots at the animals for bragging rights. The atrocities were numerous. Yet it should be understood that this was going on long before any white man had explored the west. Indians were just as or even more wasteful when it came to hunting buffalo. The reason it did not put a dent in the buffalo population was because the tribes were so small and the herds so massive. Near the end, Native Americans were even joining white men in hunts on the animal. People killed as many bison as they wanted with different purposes in mind with the mentality that is was impossible to kill off such an animal. Theodore Roosevelt talks about seeing skeletons and skeletons for miles of dead buffalo during his own adventures in the west. By the end of the 19th century they would almost be extinct.

When the word hunting is brought up the buffalo situation will often be mentioned. Some of it really was hunting but not all. Hunting is an art. It can be done as a sport or survival skill. At times it is simply done out of necessity. The slaughter of thousands of buffalo at one time is not. This sort of situation has happened many times around the globe and has been attached to hunters. Greed and waste took over in these situations and the true meaning of hunting was thrown aside. Hunters are not the only ones that fall to greed though. A farmer knows he can produce more if he uses chemicals, therefore making a larger profit even though chemicals can be harmful to humans. In both situation morals are being replaced by want. This is the nature of man and man is susceptible to greed. He must be on his guard against it. Activists groups today will often look at the dark parts of the "hunter's" history and not at the positives of what hunting really is.

Hunting did not come about on its own. The actions of nature are the cause of its existence. As long as nature exists hunting will have to exist. When the deer and rabbits ate the farmer's crops, the farmer took action to protect the crops. When the wolves attacked the shepherd's flocks, he too took action. The farmers and shepherds were provoked by wildlife. It is the same reason why a gardener pulls weeds. To protect the crops or livestock they have worked hard for, in order that we might survive. If man was to neglect the fact that this was occurring, it would not be long before he begins to starve. Animals will continue to come back to feast on easy food if it is unprotected. The reason a child does not talk back a second time is because of the beating he had received for the first. Animals are smart enough just as children to know when and when not to pursue something.

Mr. Stephen Reynolds, author of Beyond the Killing Tree, gives adequate examples as to why hunting is the only solution to protecting crops and livestock. In his youth Reynolds lived in the wilderness of Alaska as a part of the Fish and Wildlife Services. A man lived in a cabin not far from his and went by the name of Old Pete. Old Pete made a living as a seal hunter, and became quite skilled in the art being able to pick off a seal at twenty yards or more from a bobbing skiff right when the seal was taking in a breath. How could someone possibly make a living off of seal hunting and why would it matter in Alaska? Farmers do not usual choose the Alaskan plain to grow crops on and how would seal be a danger to any livestock? The job though was so important that the U.S. Government was offering rewards to seal hunters. For every seal they shot they were given a certain amount. Due to complaints by local fishermen the Government put up these bounties because the seals were causing them trouble. They were a threat to their fishermen's success and way of living. They continuously damage their nets trying to obtain the fish within, and were also competition. Something had to be done, or the fishermen would be done.

Another example of Reynolds is that of a cowboy. When bringing the cattle in the cowboy noticed that the number was off by one and immediately set out to find the missing cow. When he found it, it had been attack by a bear. Knowing the usual manners of bears, he perceived it was only a matter of time before he would lose another. In order to protect his own livelihood he tracked down and killed the bear. The cowboy did not kill the bear for fun but out of necessity. The reason for hunting is clear. It is only natural that hunting exists.

Reasons for hunting might not even have to do with the protection of crops or livestock. It is possible that it is done in the interests of the animal population and the safety of man. Back home in Kentucky there is a highway that has a vast woods between the north and south bound traffic. Much wildlife resides in these woods, especially deer that can be seen from the road.