Hunting is a practice that has been around for centuries; it hasn't seen a recent surge in popularity. It's always been popular! But some people have started hating on the practice. I'm sure you've gotten at some point the question,

"how hunting is good for the environment?" or  "What about hunting beneficial to the ecosystem?"

So we've got some arguments to help your hunting apologetics. Hunting has led to habitat preservation and conservation efforts. It can be used as population control. Furthermore, death is natural; it's something we all eventually face, and it's important to remember to keep that in mind.

Hunting Promotes Conservation

Hunters are more likely to oppose legislation or policy changes that could be detrimental to the environment or animals. Hunting is considered a valuable tradition by many Americans. Hunters see it as their duty to preserve wildlife, wildlife habitat, and the hunter's access to this land. This means that hunters are more likely to oppose legislation or policy changes that could be detrimental to the environment or animals. It also means hunting promotes conservation in that hunters works hard to maintain healthy populations of game species. They do this by following ethical harvesting guidelines and practicing good public relations with their community members.

Wildlife conservation is the protection of wild animals and their natural habitats to maintain healthy wildlife populations. For instance, money generated from hunting activities can be used for mending habitats and protecting endangered species. The funds can also be used for surveys and research on different animal species to understand how they sustain the natural environment.

We haven't even touched on the licenses and permits. The licenses, permits, and other taxes paid by outdoorsmen across the country generate $100,000 every 30 minutes. That adds up to $1.75 billion per year! These funds help to support the national habitat conservation system.

Helps Control The Population Of Different Animal Species

Hunting aids population control. If there are too many deer, that means there are fewer resources for food for other species. We need a balance of prey and predator, and that's where conservation and hunting go hand in hand. There will often be hunts for an invasive species where your bag limit is double or triple what it usually might be.

Sadly, we have overcorrected sometimes on species preservation. My mind goes to a few years back when we had many bears in the northwest scratching trees and killing them. People got wind of this and decided to relocate and take out some of the population to save the trees. Well, what people didn't think about was the tree's death and what happens postmortem. Turns out mushrooms grow on dead trees. The bees used those specific mushrooms to coat their wings in spores, acting as a natural parasite deterrent. Because they took out the bears, the trees didn't die, the mushrooms didn't grow, the bees didn't coat their wings. A large majority of the bee population died out because of parasites. And as we all know, bees are our friends, and they help everything grow. Because the bees started dying out, food for other species was scarce and led to much damage to the habitat. All this because someone wanted to save some trees.

All that to say, balance in preservation is a very tight rope to walk, and we must do it with care. According to Fran Silverman, communications director at Friends of Animals, supporters of bear hunts "point to unscientific bear sightings to inflate numbers and livestock conflicts to scare the public." She wrote in an op-ed: "killing them will solve this, they say." And the hunters then get to take home the bears to mount or use as rugs.

Hunting Combats Poaching

The illegal killing of a protected species is a severe crime taken seriously by governments and citizens alike. Hunting bans exist in many parts of the world, yet there are always ways around them. Hunters are the first line of defense for turning in poachers and waste of wild game.

It's no coincidence that large population centers are often located near oceans, rivers, or other water sources. Besides the problems inherent with living close to a human-made environment, the increased pollution caused by animal droppings and lack of vegetation can be detrimental to animals and humans alike. Many animals may end up suffering if they are overpopulated due to a shortage of food. The ecosystem needs to be balanced to promote sustainability. Poachers don't care about that balance, and they want a trophy, a thrill, or some meat. Ethical hunters do their part in looking after the land and animals.

Telecky, Ph.D., president of wildlife for the Humane Society International, said, "The best way to conserve critically endangered species is to ensure that every animal remains alive, contributing to the genetic diversity of the species. Species with a diverse gene pool are more able to overcome challenges to their survival."

Helps Prevent The Spread Of Disease

A disease is a harmful condition that can be transferred from one organism to another. Many defects and illnesses should be taken out to prevent further spread when seen out on the hunt. Another type of animal disease that can also affect humans is rabies. Even though this type of ailment is rare, it should be kept under control and prevented because the mortality rate for the human population is high.

Protect Plant Species

In many cases, the land was the victim of what scientists and social scientists call the "tragedy of the commons." When no one is there to tend to the ground, and it is all open for public consumption, individuals will only think about their own self-interest. This leads to the over-use of the land. There are many conservation ranches and programs to help maintain a healthy balance of everything.

In summation, conservation hunting is the most ethical way to hunt. It is a fair chase, where the prey is free to run, and there are no surprises. Hunters are often seen as people who kill animals for sport, but this is not what conservation hunting is. Conservation hunting has many benefits; for example, it can provide population control in an area with an overpopulated animal that needs to be culled. Moreover, hunters do not just hunt one type of animal. They can choose to pursue only certain kinds of healthy animals or have seasons where they will hunt only certain birds or fish. Hunters also manage habitats to not become overpopulated by a single type of animal and endanger other species in the area.