Mike Sauers
November 18, 2025
When you study the flora and fauna history of North America, you discover a richness and abundance that is often compared to Africa (Wild Animals of N.A. Nat. Geographic Soc. 1930). Though the Natives numbered in millions, they found ways to co-exist without decimating the eco system. They hunted, trapped and fished but mainly for sustenance. When the Europeans arrived all of that changed. Immediately the flora and fauna became tools for expansion and profit. This started small, like a cancer, but spread until the vast herds of herbivores, like mountain bison and elk, were hunted to extinction. 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. Trapping led the way and was rampant. Forests were leveled several times over. This was all deemed necessary for the expansionist movement.
There were voices of concern, protest and disgust including the Natives. 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 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 visited. It’s a bonanza!
Unfortunately, these consumptive wildlife practices are firmly rooted in speciesism and cruelty. Once you get past the propaganda and rationalizations; family time/tradition, love of nature/animals, conservation, exercise, sport, 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 capable of feeling pain, experiencing fear and fighting to survive. All of this is glossed over using words such as “harvesting”, “culling” and “management.” What is not talked about is the extreme violence that is used against animals (The American Hunting Myth, Ron Baker). Bullets tear through hides, muscles, organs and bones as do an assortment of arrows. 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 ensnare animals by their feet, head and body. They are left to suffer until the trapper checks the traps. This could be hours or days. Trappers will club, shoot and suffocate animals being careful not to damage the fur. Fishers bait fish into swallowing a barbed hook. They play the fish through the water until it is exhausted, pull it out to suffocate or gut it while still alive.
The hunting population is predominantly white males. As this demographic wanes, an effort is being made to recruit women and children. It is offensive to see children, ages 7 through 12, pictured with animals they have killed. I do not believe their emotional and/or psychological development is sufficient to understand the implications and consequences of their actions. Having been an elementary teacher, I can tell you that children are extraordinarily kind to animals unless they are taught otherwise.
Nature maintains a balance that humans negatively impact.