Arguments for Hunting with Respect for Life
Those who appreciate hunting with respect for life view it as more than a way to hunt; they view it as a way of life, a deep-seated belief and a moral and ethical code. Hunters who believe in respect for life:
- Respect nature and natural order
- Do not take more than they need
- Appreciate nature's bounty and strive to keep populations healthy
- Follow the rules and regulations set up by state and local government
Respect for life hunters place high value on maintaining and properly using their tools. Whether hunting with a bow, knife or gun, hunters understand how to use their tools to implement quick, clean kills that will result in the least amount of suffering possible. They follow through on a kill immediately to ensure that the animal is not lingering in pain.
Advertisement
Arguments in support of respect for life hunting include:
- Respectful hunting maintains animal populations and prevents overpopulation, which leads to sickness and disease and unnecessary suffering.
- Hunting is the most popular form of wildlife management and conservation. Hunting and fishing licenses provide needed revenue for fish and game organizations. Hunters provide $1.7 billion dollars each year for conservation [source: Eaton].
- Children who are properly educated in hunting and shooting learn lessons of self-control, responsibility, compassion and humility. Some believe that getting youth involved in hunting decreases aggression and actually helps boys become more peaceful and less violent as they become men [sources: Eaton, Coughlin].
- Hunting is a more humane way to kill animals than other options.
- Hunting helps protect agriculture and the environment from predators and animal pests.
Believers in respect for life have put a lot of effort into backing up their arguments. But what about the other side of the argument?
AdventureHunting PrinciplesWhat's so bad about fox hunting?AdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Rifle HuntingAdventureGame HandlingIntroduction to Hunting TrophiesAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Bow HuntingAdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Party HuntingAdventureHunting RegulationsIntroduction to Hunting LicensesAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsIs knife hunting the fairest way to hunt?AdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Sport HuntingAdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Subsistence HuntingAdventureHunting PrinciplesIntroduction to Unfair HuntingAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsWhat is still hunting?AdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Knife HuntingAdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsHow Wolf Hunting WorksAdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsHow Hunting Leases WorkAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Hunting ATVsAdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Hunting PreservesAdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Internet HuntingAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Hunting BlindsAdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsHow Predator Hunting WorksAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsHow Hunting Calls WorkAdventureHiking & CampingHow Gem Hunting WorksAdventureGame HandlingHow Trophy Hunting WorksAdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Long-Range HuntingAdventureHunting PrinciplesIntroduction to Fair Chase HuntingAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Hunting with DogsAdventureHunting PrinciplesIntroduction to How to Conserve Hunting HabitatsAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsWhat is the best hunting-dog group and why?AdventureHunting RegulationsIs wolf hunting legal?AdventureHunting Principles5 Hunting Safety TipsAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsTop 10 Hunting-dog BreedsAdventureHunting PrinciplesDoes deer hunting reduce car accidents?AdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsHow to Choose a Hunting KnifeAdventureHunting PrinciplesIntroduction to Hunting with Respect for LifeAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsHow to Choose a Hunting RifleAdventureHunting PrinciplesIntroduction to Hunting with Respect for LifeAdventureHunting PrinciplesIntroduction to How to Conserve Hunting HabitatsAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsWhat is the best hunting-dog group and why?AdventureHunting RegulationsIs wolf hunting legal?AdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Long-Range HuntingAdventureHiking & CampingHow Gem Hunting WorksAdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsHow Predator Hunting WorksAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Hunting ATVsAdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsHow Wolf Hunting WorksAdventureHunting PrinciplesIntroduction to Unfair HuntingAdventureAlternative Hunting MethodsIntroduction to Party HuntingAdventureHunting RegulationsIntroduction to Hunting LicensesAdventureTraditional Hunting MethodsIs knife hunting the fairest way to hunt?AdventureGame HandlingIntroduction to Hunting Trophies