Hunting, which has been around for thousands of years and is popular in most developed countries, is good for the environment because it increases biodiversity and keeps prey like piebald melanistic deer populations stable. In areas with a lot of hunting, such as Africa, animal numbers are all steady even with an ever-increasing human population. It has been estimated that hunting does not harm populations until densities reach 10 animals per square mile. The effects of overhunting on wildlife vary regionally depending on the prey species being hunted.
Hunters are very efficient at killing large numbers of animals because they typically use one shot per kill; whereas non-hunters tend to use several shots before they finally get their prey.
1. Biodiversity is increased by hunting because it provides a source of income for hunters, who then spend the money on land. Most hunters prefer to hunt on private land, which is usually better managed because there are more resources for the landowner.
2. Hunting allows ecosystems to maintain stable populations and decreases the need for other forms of population control such as poaching and culling. Because it has a minimal effect on predator/prey ratios and creates a stable environment, hunting does not endanger species like certain animal rights groups claim it does.
3. “Hunting provides opportunities for landowners to manage wildlife populations and improve habitat. These activities, when conducted properly, improve the land for other forms of wildlife.”
4. Another way hunting helps the environment is by encouraging people to preserve natural habitats. Because hunters want to get their prey as easily as possible, they choose to hunt in areas that have good conditions for animal populations. This creates an incentive for landowners to work on maintaining good habitat before it becomes a prime hunting location.
5. Hunting can also be viewed as a way to control pests and invasive species such as the brown tree snake in Guam and feral pigs in Hawaii.
6. “Hunting can prevent the loss of species from their natural habitats by providing a balance between prey populations and predators in areas geographically isolated from other populations.”
7. “Many studies have shown there is no evidence that hunting leads to animal population explosions.”
8. Hunting increases biodiversity because it keeps some species in check while keeping others thriving. In many areas, animals are hunted only when they become too numerous; for example, moose in Maine and deer in Minnesota are frequently felled by hunters in order to encourage other species to thrive. Hunting is particularly good at preserving certain animals in areas that have a smaller population, such as the California condor or the Florida panther.
9. Another way hunting prevents species from becoming extinct is by reducing the amount of habitat that is used for other purposes. If a species does not exist in a particular area, it will decrease the amount of habitat for other species to live in and thus can become extinct.
10. Hunting also prevents predators from killing prey. For example, raccoons prey on rodents and would eventually reduce their populations if they were not hunted. Instead, the habitat of the raccoons and rodents remain stable because hunting ensures that neither species becomes dominant.
Hunting also helps decrease the number of animals that are killed as a result of unintentional interactions. Animals that would have been killed by cars or traps will instead be taken by hunters, reducing the total population significantly.
11. “Hunters provide information to managers about population size, age-structure and harvest quotas.”
12. Fuel taxes can be used to maintain wildlife habitats.[verification needed] Additionally, it forces land owners to use more fuel-efficient vehicles in order to keep their hunting down. These programs are already in place in many states.[verification needed]
13. Hunting also helps wildlife to survive by either providing food or providing a source of income for hunters. For example, in Africa there is an abundance of elephants and the money that can be made from hunting these animals offsets the cost of protecting them from poachers.[verification needed]
14. Hunting does not harm populations until densities reach 10 animals per square mile.
15. In areas with a lot of hunting, such as Africa, animal numbers are all steady even with an ever-increasing human population. It has been estimated that hunting does not harm populations until densities reach 10 animals per square mile.
16. If a species is hunted to extinction, it does not mean that there are still enough animals left to affect the population. For example, if the Irish Wolfhound was hunted to extinction, then other breeds would remain in low numbers because the Irish Wolfhound was their prey.[verification needed]
17. Hunting is used to deter poaching and other forms of illegal hunting by providing compensation for hunters who catch poachers.
18. Hunting provides opportunities for landowners to manage wildlife populations and improve habitat on their land allowing them to make more money from the sale of this habitat.
19. Another way hunting benefits wildlife is by providing an incentive for landowners to work on maintaining good habitat before it becomes a prime hunting location.
