Why Banning Hunting is Not the Answer “Hunting animals should be banned!” insist the animal rights proponents. “We have a God given right to hunt animals and you can’t stop us!” shout back the resolute hunters defensively. Is anyone really listening to the ‘other side’? In a recent Africa Geographic Magazine article Simon Espley states the problem concisely. “The thing about hunting is that the topic is so polarizing that it prevents meaningful discourse between people who probably have more in common than they care to admit.” (Espley) Hunting allows hunters to have food for their families and reduces habitat overcrowding, so it should not be banned. Trophy hunting, on the other hand, is very controversial and deserves a closer look at whether or not it should continue to be permitted. There are be two sincere sides to the decision to ban or not ban hunting. Both sides agree on many basic ideas. For instance, animal rights proponents and hunting enthusiasts both believe in protecting endangered species, protecting ecosystems or habitats of all animals, humane treatment of animals, and supporting animal preserves in many parts of the world. Most of the bitterness is driven by the refusal to recognize how much they all have in common. Trophy hunters often become incensed more about their right to hunt than the rightness of the hunt they are paying for. Legitimate concern over corruption in the area of trophy hunting safaris has brought about widespread anger within the animal rights camp. The discovery that little of the huge price for those guided safari’s ever make it into the hands of local populations has upset even the trophy hunters who sincerely believe they are doing good. Hunters, bullied by the outcry and threats against their lives respond with claims they are actually the ones who are protecting wildlife in general by the money they put into hunting. Both sides should develop the will and patience to listen, to accept that there is never only one right side in a dispute, and to find a compromise that falls short of actually banning the practice. Today there is a lot of commentary about the inhumanity of trophy hunting and partisans on both sides are intensely focused on this issue. Espley nails down the difficulty the opposing parties have of listening to each other. “People are mostly either rabidly for or rabidly against hunting. This rabid focus results in an inability to see facts or opinions that are not directly in line of sight, and this kills the opportunity to learn from each other and work together towards a common goal.” (Espley) Interestingly, a short story published in 1924 by Colliers, “The Most Dangerous Game” has recently gotten quite popular due to the killing of Cecil, a protected lion. The main character in this story, Rainsford, a seemingly hardened big game hunter, suddenly becomes the hunted. In the end the reader wonders if Rainsford may have learned compassion for his prey after being stalked for three days by the insane, Zaroff. (Connell) This concept has led extremists to suggest that big game trophy hunters should have to experience being hunted down. The hunters respond by reminding the animal rightists that the money they spend in third world countries is helping animal conservation efforts and lifting local economies. Many animal rightists want to ban hunting outright, particularly in the United States. These people believe that all animals have as much right to life as humans and should not be hunted for any reason. Hunting for food where the primary purpose of the hunt is to provide meat for the hunter and his family is still practiced in the United States and certainly in many other countries of the world. There are millions of people in this country living below the poverty level and hunting or fishing provides them with the protein their bodies need. Why We Need Hunting CSA Hunting for food, where the primary purpose of the hunt is to provide meat for the hunter and his family is still common in the United States and certainly in many other countries. Hunting for food is good for the environment maintains Oregon journalist, McCaulou. She reasons that because no antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, herbicides or unnatural feeds are used in raising this meat it is healthier for the consumer. (McCaulou) Wild animals are not penned up or branded and they are not artificially fattened up for the kill. Hunting for food follows a more natural path than commercial meat production. The money gained from licensing hunters is generally used to support wildlife and to protect animal habitats. Licensed culling, where there is overpopulation of some animals, particularly deer, allows the smaller herds to thrive. It also prevents starvation and disease that kills off large numbers and allows a healthy population to survive. Crowding depletes food supplies and hungry wild animals then stray into farms and neighborhoods for food or are hit by cars. For these reasons, hunting for food should not be banned. To hunt or not to hunt is not an easy debate to settle but clear thinking, reasonable people can agree on the substance and compromise on side issues. Animals are important, conservation benefits everyone, Americans can lead the way, and really hearing each side is valuable. Hunting for food is reasonable and should be regulated but not banned. Trophy hunting certainly needs to be regulated and other means of experiencing exotic animals, local cultures and the wilderness in general should be encouraged and supported.

Works Cited
“Botswana: Trophy Hunting to Ecotourism.” The Financialist. 15 March 2013. Web. 21 September 2015.
Connell, Richard. The Most Dangerous Game. The Language of Literature. reprinted by permission. Brandt & Brandt, Literary Agents. McDougal Littell. 2006. 40-57 Print.
Espley, Simon. “Why The Hunting Conversation Hurts Conservation.” Africa Geographic Magazine. 30 January 2015. Web. 20 September 2015.
McCaulou, Lily Raff. “5@5-Why Hunting Your Own Dinner is an Ethical Way to Eat.” Eatocracy.cnn.com. 2 July 2012. Web. 19 September 2015.
“The Myth of Trophy Hunting as Conservation.” Africa Geographic Magazine. 18 June 2010. Web. 20 September 2015.
“Why We Need Hunting.” Common Sense For Animals. n.d. Web. 21 September 2015