Mike Sauers
If you study the flora and fauna history of North America, you discover that there was a richness and abundance that is often compared to that of Africa. Even though the Native Americans numbered in the millions, they found a way to co-exist without decimating the eco system. Yes, they hunted, they trapped and they fished but mainly for sustenance. When the Europeans arrived all of that changed. Almost immediately the flora and fauna became tools for expansion and profit. This started small but, like a cancer, it spread until the vast herds of herbivores, like mountain bison and elk, were hunted to extinction. Millions of Carolina parakeets became extinct when farmers destroyed their habitats or hunters killed them for feathers. Passenger pigeons were also hunted to extinction for meat, feathers and to protect farmland. Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians were all impacted. Predators were not spared. Wolves, coyotes, mountain lions, panthers and cougars were virtually exterminated. Only the coyotes prevailed. Fur taking led the way and was rampant. Forests were leveled several times over. This was all deemed necessary for the expansion of the Europeans and empire.
There were voices of concern, protest and disgust including the Native Americans. They were drowned out by the expansionist fever. Eventually, a group of conservationists, some hunter/trapper/fisher and some not, made some inroads. Conservation efforts began to take root but the damage was already done. People have never been comfortable with the term “co-exist.” They prefer “management.” This led to the system/business we have today. The government sells licenses for hunting, trapping and fishing. These licenses allow users to hunt/trap/fish on state game lands and state waters. Also, with the permission of private land owners and hunting clubs, users hunt/trap/fish. Multiple businesses sell products of all sorts to hunters/trappers/fishers. It is a multi-billion dollar business. Hunters/trappers/fishers travel to partake in these activities. Restaurants, gas stations, hotels, bars, etc. are frequently visited. It is a bonanza!
Unfortunately, the above consumptive wildlife practices are firmly rooted in specieism and cruelty. Once you get past all of the propaganda and rationalizations; family time/tradition, love of nature/animals, conservation, exercise, sport, canned hunts, trophies, etc. you are faced with a grim reality. That reality is that you have to kill. Hunters/trappers/fishers make a conscious decision to kill sentient animals that are quite capable of feeling pain, experiencing fear and fighting to survive. All of this is glossed over by using words such as “harvesting”, “culling” and “management.” What is not talked about is the extreme violence that is used against animals. Bullets of all sorts tear through hides, muscles, organs and bones as do an assortment of arrows. Most of the time, when a hit occurs, the animal runs, falls, suffers and dies. This may take awhile and require shooting the animal a second time. Sometimes, animals are not found for several days. Traps of all sorts ensnare animals by their feet, head and body. They are left to suffer until the trapper checks his/her traps. This could be hours or days. Trappers will club, shoot and suffocate animals being careful not to damage the fur. Fishers bait fish and other creatures such as turtles into swallowing a barbed hook. They then drag the fish through the water until it is exhausted, pull it out of the water to suffocate and gut it while still alive.
The hunting population was/is predominantly white males. As this demographic has waned a concerted effort has been made to recruit people of color, women and children. It is particularly offensive to see children, ages 7 through 12, pictured with animals they have killed or assisted in killing. In my humble opinion this is child abuse. I do not believe that their emotional and/or psychological development is ready to fully understand the implications and consequences of hunting/trapping/fishing. As a former elementary school teacher, I can tell you that children are extraordinarily kind to animals unless they are taught otherwise.
The above is succinct. Much more can be said but I believe the seed is planted. As always I encourage you to do more research. Talk about it. Make it an issue.