Emotional rhetoric drives much of our media coverage , social media and even many in-person interactions these days . When it comes to hunting , those quips reduce complex issues to simple sound bites , often putting sportsmen in a tough spot . Here ’ s how to successfully undermine one such often-repeated and foolish argument , with notes on talking points , to help you put your best foot forward for bystanders and lurkers listening to the conversation .
THE STATEMENT :
“ THEY WERE HERE FIRST !”
WHAT IT EXCUSES :
HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
THE RESPONSE : Yes , animals [ 1 ] have been in North America a long time , but so have people . Going back to prehistoric time through settlement of the continent , we ’ ve shared the landscape with wildlife . We ’ ve hunted them for meat , skins , bones and feathers [ 2 ] to nourish and clothe our bodies , [ 3 ] as well as to decorate them and the walls [ 4 ] of our homes . We ’ ve also continually had conflict with them , especially large predators such as wolves and bears , which have always posed a danger to individuals and domestic animals . [ 5 ]
Modern society ’ s large cities , small towns , farms [ 6 ] and road systems have drastically changed the continent and how we and animals live within it . There is far less habitat and far more people , [ 7 ] which leads to more potential conflicts . Unless you ’ re advocating for genocide or the wholesale destruction of cities [ 8 ] and displacement of citizens , it doesn ’ t matter who was here first . [ 9 ] Like it or not , [ 10 ] wild animals don ’ t get to maraud our yards , pastures or homes to eat our flowers , livestock or pets . [ 11 ] The best we can do [ 12 ] is to manage the situation to reduce the odds of conflict .
There are many keys [ 13 ] to doing that , but the biggest is successful wildlife management , [ 14 ] which balances predator and prey species with available habitat so that all three remain in healthy ranges . [ 15 ] If you want more habitat , then you must invest [ 16 ] in it ; hunter-conservationists [ 17 ] have reclaimed and enhanced [ 18 ] tens of millions of acres to the benefit of thousands of species . [ 19 ] But the bottom line is that when human-wildlife conflict takes place , a resolution is needed . We can ’ t just ignore the problem ; that would be irresponsible for both people and wildlife . [ 20 ]
1
Insert any species here . 2 Reiterates hunting as a legitimate use of entire animal . 3 Underscores healthy aspects of game and many uses of body parts . 4 Legitimizes use of trophies from the hunt , going back to cave drawings and indigenous jewelry . 5 Tribes , farmers , people around the world have always had conflict with predators .
6
Everyone plays a role , not just those living where conflicts happen . 7 Acknowledge this simple fact as the crux of the problem . 8 Frame anti-hunters ’ ultimate ideological resolution as ridiculously as possible . 9 Restate and deny their argument . 10 Anti ’ s don ’ t have to like truth to acknowledge it . 11 Nobody likes pets to get eaten . 12 Put forward a reasonable solution .
13
Take away arguments about trash cans , fences , flagging or other deterrents by acknowledging them . 14 While other points can help , ultimately wildlife management is the key . 15 Healthy is the key . Poor health of any of the three will likely result in more conflict .
16
This doesn ’ t just happen , and it isn ’ t free . Put them on the spot by asking how much they or anti-hunting groups contribute . 17 Continue to highlight the inextricable link between hunting and conservation . 18 Reclaiming creates new habitat where it didn ’ t exist ; enhancing makes habitats better and increases its biodiversity and carrying capacity . 19 Yes , we ’ ve done this for game species , but all other plant and animal species benefit from it . 20 Paints you as reasonable , results-orientated , logical and caring for both people and animals .
ADOBE STOCK
MAKE YOUR POINT
Having trouble framing an argument related to animal rights , wildlife management or aspects of hunting , fishing and trapping ? Email us ( info @ sportsmensalliance . org ) and we ’ ll help you break it down here !
SPRING 2022 17