Is hunting for sport (not food or survival) morally justified? At one point of time hunting was very crucial for survival but now some would say hunting is nothing more than a violent form of recreation that the majority of hunters do not need for subsistence. Those who support hunting may say it does more good than bad for economic reasons. Outsiders are more concerned with the pain and suffering and loss of life endured by the animals. A study conducted by a Yale professor concluded that 60% of Americans disapprove of sport hunting and about one-third of Americans favor a total ban on hunting (Achor 138). I believe hunting animals for sport and not for survival is completely wrong and should be illegal. Hunting is permitted in many wildlife …show more content…
Starvation and disease can be tragic, but they are nature’s ways of ensuring that healthy, strong animals survive and maintain the strength of the rest of their herd or group. The balance of ecosystems also ensures their survival, if they are left unaltered (Achor 155). Hunters are not anything like that or natural predators. While natural predators cull the weak, the old, and the sick members of the species, human hunters kill the strong, large, healthy animals. This weakens the gene pool. Shooting an animal because he or she might starve or get sick is still cruel and arbitrary. There are also many instances of licensed hunters killing more animals than allowed by law. “Limit violations were found in 25% of hunters examined at roadblocks in Utah and in 40% of hunters examined in Idaho” (Wilson). It’s not a cheap source of food either. Hunters spend money on weapons such as ammunition, licenses, blinds, tree stands, mobile stands, scents, lures and a variety of other equipment. Annually, they spend about $10 billion in supplies, equipment, motels, restaurants, and other expenses related to hunting trips (Stevens). Hunting also hurts people in many ways as well. About 200 hunters and innocent passersby die and between 1,500 and 1,700 are injured in hunting accidents each year (Achor