Population Control: Anti Hunting

In response to hunters' argument saying that hunting helps regulate wildlife population control, environmental and animal advocates believe otherwise. Those against hunting introduce the argument that many animals being hunted aren't at risk of being overpopulated. They also bring up the fact that there are rare and exotic animals that are being hunted, so the idea of using hunting as a way to balance population isn't enough of a valid reason to stalk and kill animals. 

There are many more species than just overpopulated deer that are being hunted, many for no ethical reason at all. Environmental and animal advocates argue that the overpopulation of deer and other species is due to poor land management and that  these agencies serve only to provide a population large enough to suit sport hunters. These anti-hunting advocates support the idea that the overpopulation of deer stems not only from the specific mismanagement of deer populations, but from the mismanagement of our forestlands and natural areas. 

According to the Humane Society of the United States, the vast majority of hunted species- such as most birds, squirrels, and raccoons- "provide minimal sustenance and do not require population control." According to The Fund for Animals with data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state wildlife agencies, 200 million animals are killed by hunters each year. The annual death toll in the U.S. includes 42 million mourning doves, 30 million squirrels, 28 million quail, 25 million rabbits, 20 million pheasants, 14 million ducks, 6 million deer, and thousands of geese, bears, moose, elk, antelope, swans, cougars, turkeys, wolves, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, boars, and other woodland creatures. 

These statistics show that millions of species, not just deer, are being hunted regularly and not for the sake of population control. Also, these are just the typical targeted animals in the United states. There are also more rare and exotic animals being targeted in foreign countries and anti-hunting advocates fear for the endangerment or even extinction of such animals. 

Big game hunting is related to more exotic animals like lions, zebra, elephants and other species. These large and more rare animals are definitely not at risk for becoming overpopulated, so animal advocates don't see that there is any way to justify killing such majestic creatures. Hunting these kind of animals is often compared to poaching, however, as long as the hunter has a specific license to hunt that specific animal in a specific area, it is legal. It is the government permitting the hunt of these animals and those against hunting see it as wrong and fear that we are driving these animals toward endangerment. 

Even though there are species, like deer, that happen to be overpopulated, there are plenty of species that are not and are still targeted by hunters. Groups and individuals against hunting fear that hunting such animals and threatening their way of life is also threatening their ecosystems, their species, and even their existence. 

Sources:

(IDA) In Defense of Animals
http://www.idausa.org/facts/hunting.html
http://www.idausa.org/facts/deercontrol.html

(PETA) People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
http://www.peta.org/about/faq/Without-hunting-deer-and-other-animals-would-overpopulate-and-die-of-starvation.aspx