Most to Least Compelling Arguments for Hunting
Successfully addressing hunting arguments with people requires an understanding of where you are in the matrix of topics . More importantly , it requires knowing where the non-hunter you ’ re talking to is at in that same matrix , and then meeting him there and explaining things from that point forward . It won ’ t do much good to try to explain trapping if the only reason a person accepts hunting is as a food source ; that individual is just not ready to hear it .
However , if a non-hunter acknowledges safety issues with predators such as bears , lions or coyotes , or mentions
habitat degradation due to over-browsing by deer and the resulting starvation or disease that comes with that , then you can reaffirm that belief and begin to talk about things like how hunting , through Pittman-Robertson funding or conservation organizations , enhances and expands habitat while also keeping herds in balance with that habitat . From there , it ’ s a short jump to translating the funding mechanisms in the U . S . to similar issues in Africa , which opens the door to dispelling myths around “ trophy ” hunting there and in North America .
MOST Discussion Points Food
Connect here , educate on different species as table fare , recipes and share food .
Human Safety Zoonotic diseases , large predator attacks , car accidents , flooding due to beavers and other wildlife conflicts .
Wildlife Management
Predator / prey / habitat balance , suffering of ecosystem with mismanagement .
Locally Sourced Food Larger societal buzzwords like carbon footprint , biodiversity , sustainability .
Organic Meat
Knowledge of origin , participated in every step from field to fork , healthy , no antibiotics / steroids , humane life .
ADOBE STOCK
Habitat Enhancement
Conservation work by NGOs for every species through both funding and sweat equity by volunteers .
Funding Mechanisms Pittman-Robertson model , license / tag sales , user pay / everyone benefits , only group funding it .
Local Economies
Find economic impact of hunting in your state legislative district at : sportsmensalliance . org / reports .
International Funding Hunting ’ s economic incentive reduces poaching , expands hunted populations , protects habitats .
Traditions
Depending on the listener , he might not understand your family / friend / hunting culture . Proceed with caution .
Time Spent Outdoors Getting away from people , connecting to nature , quiet . Undermined by alternatives ( hiking / golf ). Use as an addition to more persuasive points .
LEAST Using Dogs
Using Bait
Connect hound hunting to more accepted dog hunting ( waterfowl / upland ), ability to tree and release , ethics of evaluating the animal , ideal for management goals .
Evaluation time , shot placement , ideal for management goals .
“ Sport ” Hunting Differentiate between “ market ” hunting of past and “ sport ” hunting with laws followed . It ’ s not a “ game .”
For Personal Challenge Low success rate of hunters , need for training , scouting , etc . Proceed with caution ; ego doesn ’ t play well .
“ Trophy ” Hunting Meat isn ’ t left , wanton-waste laws , meat / hide / bones used in Africa . Age-class hunting , younger animals passed on and fewer animals killed .
Trapping
Necessary for human safety / rabies / flooding , Google “ Potential Costs of Losing Hunting and Trapping as Wildlife Management Methods ” for mind-boggling data .
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