Types of Hunting, some one please explain

I don’t think this is an appropriate subject for this forum.

I've been a hunter since I was 12 yrs old (now 66) & I really don't get it either. Just watched a video posted here where a "Professional" hunter shot a bison with his an air rifle. I'm pretty sure (I could be wrong) that bison didn't end up in his freezer. It probably got put to good use, but to kill something just because you can isn't in my way of thinking. To each his own I guess.

You definitely aren't a pioneer in this question. I think it's up to the individual hunter to judge what's ethical. Thankfully when we see something we don't like we can scroll by or simply not enter the hunting gate. 

Don’t get it myself. Seams like rich guys that want to brag. Total BS if you ask me. But it should be kept legal. Many times it’s thinning the heard. 

I hunt crows.2nd smartest animal in North America. Now that’s hunting. 

I pest occasionally, I invite people to my property to harvest deer in season (deer damage costs me more a year than all other property maint., not a small number). And it's just my penny, but I've never seen any report on what I would call trophy hunting, that makes any sense at all, most especially when people are travilng to do little else but take down game to brag about it.

I don't understand it either but I don't have a problem with it either. From what I have read and seen the meat does not go to waste as others usually reap the benefits of the trophy hunters hunts. Still it does seem a little strange to me to run around the world hunting but we all have our addictions do we not? ;^)

del

Lots I want to say, but nothing that probably wouldn't get my account deleted sooo….. 

I'll just say that there is a vast array of hunting available beyond the pesting done in backyards/farms. Population control of deer, bear, hogs....Just not in favor of hunting large animals for sport, regardless of where the meat goes. Maybe what I consider trophy hunting differs from some others.

Selective harvest of the oldest animals in an ecosytem allows for the youngers to reach their full potential and keep a steady population. If you watch some of Jim Shockey's Uncharted you will see some of the benefits of trophy hunting to the wildlife population and the economies around them. The only pockets of the iconic species in Africa are the areas that make business out of sport hunting. When hunting goes away, the value of animals is reduced to $1 per pound and they are viewed only as competition for resources. At that point they are simply poached out of existence.

I don't get it either & I agree that it's that type of hunting that gives the unarmed & uneducated populace their negative attitude towards ALL hunting. Even though I don't get it I try to not judge or make value assessments on what other hunters are into. I just know it's not for me so I don't do it. Hunting ethics, like politics & religion, can get to be pretty heated debates & ALWAYS gonna piss SOMEONE off.

Been in the hunting world for not too much and I have found a few types of hunting and there is 1 in particular that I do not understand much (and also I do not like and I think I will never do, but maybe I am wrong in my understanding)

1- Pest Control: Perfect! all pest related (rats, birds, etc), foreign / alien animals

2- Food Hunting: Awesome! (Rabbits, Hogs ... pests too! jaja, ducks, Deers, etc)

3- Population control: Bears, Alligators, etc. I understand that the numbers might be controlled for balance

4- Trophy Hunting: I just do not get it... might be a mix between number 3, but I think this is the reason why city people hate hunters in general, they think that hunting is number 4 only (I know ... ignorant, but it is what it is) ... so I just me that feels this way about this type of hunting or I am missing

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Edosan, awesome post I agree on everyone of your points. Thanks for bringing them up. 

You don't have to consider yourself a trophy hunter to appreciate... nay, STAND IN AWE of a nice trophy! Therein lies the appeal; a trophy is truly AWE-INSPIRING. Anyone who hasn't taken a nice trophy, especially in a sporting, challenging way that shifts even more advantage to the prey, I wouldn't expect to understand.

But to a hunter that reveres his prey, a trophy example taken in sporting pursuit is... well, to be blunt, the ultimate kill. BTW... you can still EAT 'em, even if you properly memorialize them.



I mounted this guy's plumage myself. Took all afternoon; but lasts a LIFETIME, and does the memory due justice!



OOPS... almost forgot. Gobbly was also memorialized in writing. Any more questions?

Trophy Hunter maybe was a wrong "title" what I meant was Killing just for the fun of it. Of course you can consider any type of hunt as a trophy, did not meant that.

I know just a few Idiots do that (fun killing), and usually selective killing is confused with "just for fun". Getting the picture ... 

Anyway I appreciate you guys taking the time for sharing your thoughts!

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I understand what you mean, difficult to find the correct wording. I can only speak for myself, hunting in general is fun for me whether I'm successful or not. Being out enjoying nature, hiking around and exploring new areas is really what I enjoy most. Some of the large ranches that I hunt have a serious problem with pest, the satisfaction of making a difference in helping those ranchers is huge. A great example is Ground Squirrels, some of these areas have literally thousands of them that have caused major problems such as erosion, killing trees, holes that horses and livestock can step in and break legs, diseases such as the plague. Beyond that they urinate on feed that causes major health issues for the animals as well as major financial loss to the rancher. The ground squirrel has one litter of five to eleven per year, with gestation of around one month, they get out of control very quickly. When a rancher is literally in tears because his place is so overrun by pest, my mind justifies the need to eliminate them...I think satisfied is a better word for me to use than "FUN" I agree that you can consider any type of hunt as a trophy hunt, some more difficult than others. I don't really know many of the circumstances or facts of some of these Big Game exotic hunts, hard to make judgments without knowing. I'm not very wealthy so can't relate to spending thousands on a hunt, I would imagine for $10k a kill would have to be guaranteed. I know some of these places are fenced in, nowhere for animals to go..it's not really something I would consider doing, not sure where my mind would have to go to justify. 

I trophy hunt make no excuses for it and see no point in trying to justify it to all those who dont get it. But bragging rights is sure as hell not the reason why i do it.

When you kill pest and are filming and posting it. You might should stop and think a little harder before you claim others are only doing what they do for bragging rights.,Or just for the fun of it.Because that shoe might fit you better. No offence intended just a reminder we are all in this together and none of us grow stronger from this kind of nonsense. 

Fuznut, I don't see this as "nonsense". I see it as an open, honest & enlightening discussion. Every side can be expressed by those who care to join and I believe EVERYONE who participates, hopefully, comes away a little more enlightened. Anyone who takes offense bares the responsibility for being offended, not the person who has posed the question. To call it nonsense devalues the importance of the ethics involved in our sport/hobby & THAT (ethics) is something EVERY RESPONSIBLE PERSON WHO AIMS AT & PULLS THE TRIGGER at a living thing needs to explore & "soul search" about. For me the importance of this subject is far from nonsense. For me it is ESSENTIAL. Glad we have a venue for these types of subjects. THIS DISCUSSION makes us stronger, NOT hushing it up.

I do not believe in trophy hunting,then I found out that some places use the money that the trophy hunter has to pay to trophy hunt is used to maintain a healthy herd or group of the animals....The money is put to good use....ok sounds good to me,because the guides or conservationist know what animals should be hunted ,like the trophy animals is doing his part for the herd....

Another thing is what Darwin said.....the strongest animals help maintain strength...for that reason strong studs should not be killed.

So then is will known that some trophy hunts are a way of getting rid of old wash-up studs....now ask yourself isn't that a better way?

Of course I am talking about animals and not some Solent Green movie.....I think all living things what to be able to get old.

Ask yourself what are you doing to yourself that will keep you from getting older......

I respect the people that like trophy hunting,I just don't like to see stuffed animals or people stuff themselves .