HUNTING & TRAPPING
Early humans lived primarily as hunter gatherers. Their food (fruits, roots, fish, mammals, birds) were obtained from the surrounding areas. In the case of birds, the eggs were easier to acquire.
Residence was temporary; small populations of humans were clustered together. Whenever resources in a particular area ran out, our ancestors moved to another area. Everyone helped in the sustenance of the community. Men hunted, the women gathered. As a general rule what was hunted was needed. There was hardly any excess waste.
Sport hunting targets an estimated 200 million animals in the United States every year. As expected varying estimates can be acquired pertaining to this estimate, depending on the institution you get your information from. I"ve used the most common estimate.
A successfully targeted animal may die quickly, die slowly, survive a lifelong wound, live maimed, and/or be orphaned. Depending on the weapon of choice, number and location of wound/s, age and health of the animal, species, the elements, the animal's resolve, where it ranks in the predator hierarchy, gender, and the availability of food, water, and shelter.
An abbreviated list of hunted, fished, or trapped animals species includes passenger pigeons (exterminated), elephants, apes, monkeys, bison (American bison nearly exterminated), rhinos, hippos, giraffes, koalas, pandas (the cutest bears), beavers, wolves, prairie dogs, ferrets, coyotes, fishes, Zanzibar leopard (may have been exterminated), sharks, dolphins, whales, jackals, bears, deer, foxes, tigers, turtles, bobcats, lynxes, lions, tigers, frog, cougars, snakes, cheetahs, grizzly bears, black bears, moon bears, polar bears, American bald headed eagles (now protected), California condors (now protected, peregrine falcons, ibex, musk oxen, dodo birds, almost fell into extinction), Florida panthers, leopards, jaguars, rabbits, squirrels, moose, squirrels, wildebeest, zebras, lynx, bobcats, pigeons, kangaroos, antelopes, wolverines, muskrats, whales, dolphins, fishes, apes, monkeys, crocodiles, walruses, penguins, seals, fishes, water borne mammals, alligators, snakes, boars, deer, moose, raccoons, swans, and African cape buffalo.
In times of war or territorial skirmishes, humans are also hunted-down in incredibly large numbers; the Taino were almost exterminated, the Beothuk were exterminated. The last member died in 1829 in St. John's, Newfoundland.
In 1760, near Pomfret, Pennsylvania, there occurred a Circle of Death"; a smorgasbord hunt. The intended result was to kill a magnanimous number of wildlife (predators and prey; land and airborne). The settlers did not appreciate the presence of so many pests nearby.
The hunters formed a 30 mile diameter ring. In addition, the hunters made loud noises.
Then the hunters slowly moved in for the kill, shrinking the circle from all directions in the process.
Wildlife therein had nowhere to run but to the center of the ring. In the end, a massacre ensued.
Primitive hunters used crude gadgets like sticks, atlatl, rocks, or any other object they could throw, beat, or ram into an animal. Primitive hunters had to use their imagination and brawn. Like wolves, they worked together to outsmart the target animal.
As weapons became more sophisticated hunting game could be done at a greater distance and with less brawn.
Animals could even be killed without having taken notice of the hunter. Sport hunting became possible; afterwards, canned hunting. Today, we have remote hunting from vast distances.
When the subsequent waves of humans arrived in the Americas it was the beginning of the end for many of the existing forests and wildlife species. The number of wildlife in North America, especially the United States was considerably larger than it is today.
Today millions of acres of forests are destroyed annually. Not to mention the indigenous populations, wildlife, and other treasures therein.
Early colonists became annoyed at night-time sounds emanating from forests.
Unless we humans suffer through an incredible worldwide catastrophe, animal habitats around the globe will soon be severely diminished.
Reasons for mass hunting of species include demonization, threat to livestock, contagious diseases, human habitat expansion, food and by-product use, protection of humans, and sport.
If a mother animal is killed, or severely wounded, her young offspring usually die.
Bow hunting requires more concentration and steady hands than crossbow or rifle hunting. Because of this fact, a targeted animal is more likely to be struck in a non-lethal part of his/her body from a bow hunter. This may cause a long-term lingering injury. Naturally, the targeted animal will try to get away if possible.
Crossbow hunting is popular in Ohio. The use of bows and arrows in hunting and warfare caused an enormous leap in technology. The bow and arrow along with the crossbow are smaller and require less brute strength than a primitive spear.
Cross bow hunting uses a propulsion system similar to a firearm. It's very effective.
Barring a worldwide catastrophe, some form of hunting or another will be around for ages to come.
Conservation and hunting must not be at odds. Habitats must be protected. Hunting seasons and maximum kills must be calculated to ensure that wildlife species" numbers do not fall below a sustainable level. The Endangered Species Act (ESA) must be rejuvenated. Bush era weakening of the ESA or special interests groups must be reversed and more.
Government agencies and hunters" organizations should work together to ensure accuracy in this endeavour; if that is possible. Furthermore, if possible, protected zones (no hunting or human encroachment) should be established.
Wildlife and forest lands are difficult to effectively protect if located near high density or poor human populations.
Professional, legal hunters understand that roads give easier access to hunting sites, but lessen privacy and isolation.
Africa and Asia have been hit hard by illegal and government sanctioned non-sustainable logging, poaching, and wildlife trafficking.
In all fairness poor people involved in deforestation, non- sustainable hunting, hyper-extraction of valuable resources, and the bush meat trade view people in the western world as hypocritical. They need their money. Sometimes they"re very hungry and have no other way to earn a living. Westerners made fortunes by doing the same thing that they"re telling the Third World nations not to do.
First World corporations are doing most of the damage in Third World countries, and they"re reaping the bulk of the profits.
Anti-poaching laws must be stringent and enforced. In North America illegal hunting must result in stiff fines. Smorgasbord style hunting (limitless hunting; American bison, passenger pigeon), habitat destruction, pollution, and destruction of keystone species are big problems that must be dealt with head- on. We"re not struggling Third World people.
When large tracts within forests are destroyed, humans and animals therein are adversely affected. Soil erosion, habitat loss, and mud slides can result. Trees help to keep the ground soil in place. Tree dwelling creatures can't go anywhere if the trees in their habitat are destroyed.
When roads are carved into forested areas, pollution levels rise, and humans become more detached from nature. Large woodlands or forests become non-contiguous. Road kill is another serious problem. What does a wild animal know about roads and road kill?
The bush meat resulted from overhunting of wildlife species in the equatorial forests of west and central Africa. The Great apes are being obliterated in order to be eaten as a "meat delicacy" in fancy African restaurants.
A plate of chimpanzee or gorilla meat can cost 60 U.S. or more. The bush meat trade is a lucrative business bringing in an estimated 2 billion dollars. Poachers number in the thousands, often from other countries or in Africa.
Poachers are nasty, well-armed, and will fire on rangers if necessary. Great apes are no match for the poachers' super weapons.
The logging industry is helping to sustain the bush meat crisis. Logging companies (often foreign) build roads that cut into forests. Workers enter deep into the forest to kill, eat, and sell bush meat.
Baby apes abducted for the entertainment industry require the killing of several other members of the troupe, by shooting or machete. This holds so especially in gorilla troupes. Male silverbacks may fight to the death to protect themselves, those under them, and for their honour as troupe leader. Chimpanzee and gorilla mothers have been known to fight to the death to protect their offspring. Mouse lemurs are the smallest primates.
Wildlife including Great Apes, monkeys, elephants, swine, water borne mammals, rodents, and pangolins are affected by the bush meat trade. Many great apes and monkeys have lost a hand or a foot in horrible snares. In fact, any animal that steps on a snare is subject to being ensnared, regardless of what the target species was.
The term bush meat generally concerns Africa, but can refer to any place on this planet where this problem occurs. Africa and Asia are not the only places where wildlife habitats are being obliterated. The Amazon Rainforest is taking a beating 24 hours a day. Many dams have flooded indigenous peoples" lands and have destroyed wildlife habitats.
Animal habitats are under the complete control of humans. Animal species can't run, hide, or migrate to far-off regions to escape us. Specialist animals have a difficult time re-adjusting to new habitats. Many of them end up dying.
Advanced weaponry, helicopters, airplanes, water borne vessels (with ice breaking instruments), sonar, tracking devices, computer monitoring, advanced communication devices, satellite technology, automobiles, and snowmobiles, have given humans the ability to kill, terrorize, control, trans-locate, and/or annihilate any mammalian species on the face of this planet.
Humans have charted every known land mass. Wildlife on miniscule non-charted islands cannot escape our pollution.
Even polar bears are hunted. The lucky ones are gunned down and die quickly. The unlucky ones are chased, wounded, and then continue to be chased by hunters, sometimes with specially trained dogs or mechanized vehicles.
If an injured polar bear were to miraculously escape from its human pursuers, he/she will be forced to live the life of a 'wounded animal" (blood loss, anaemia, illness, infection, the elements, loss of hunting capacity, etc.).
Polar bears tread vast distances on ice in the circumpolar region of this planet. Anthropogenic (human caused problems) include oil barrel leakages, excessive hunting, PCB's and other chemical poisons.
Nations and territories with polar bear populations include Canada, the United States, Norway, the former Soviet Union, and Greenland (a territory of Denmark)._
Early spring ice melting occurring in vast stretches of the
North, where polar bears live. Early spring ice melting causes a shorter hunting season for the polar bears.
Polar bears need a platform (ice) in order to hunt their favourite food (seals). Polar bears wait silently and patiently next to a breathing hole then make their move as soon as the seal comes up to take a breath. A polar bear can scent a seal from up to 20 miles.
Polar bears also eat seabirds, fishes, berries, plants, and reindeer.
Polar bears are very powerful animals. They attack and kill seals with their teeth and claws. Polar bears are more dangerous to humans than grizzlies. Perhaps it's because Polar bears haven't come into contact as often as grizzlies.
Polar bears and grizzly bears have been seen evading traps. Some individuals even know how to remove an article of food from a trap without triggering the trap. Indeed, these are intelligent animals.
Polar bear populations can easily fall into the danger zone. They breed slowly; have small litters, maturation occurs between the age of four and six, and over-hunting.
Native hunting of polar bears is regulated by international law and the laws of the nation. Poaching and corruption is prevalent in the former Soviet Union.
In sport hunting, polar bears are "gold medals" of the Arctic." They're the largest, toughest, and most courageous of all the large bear species. Excluding humans, polar bears are the highest ranking predator in their habitat.
Professional polar bear hunters must have high levels tenacity, endurance, stamina, and strength. Hunting is often done in extreme temperatures, with the use of sled dogs. This is the hunter's choice.
Inuit peoples depend on polar bear hunting for survival. The hide, meat, and teeth, are used efficiently. Inuit peoples once believed that polar bears were the second most powerful spirit.
Bear claws were used as talismans by the Cree. The purpose was to ensure protection.
Some aboriginal peoples of the far north use technology to hunt native species. In essence, it has become much easier to hunt animals.
T he early American colonists killed off many of the bears in their respective region. Sadly, this process would continue throughout much of the continental United States. Grizzly bears now reside in less than 2 percent of their former range, and their population is between 1 and 2 percent of its former number.
There are slightly more than one thousand grizzly bears in the continental United States. There have been numerous cases of grizzly bears prying open car doors and ransacking homes. DO NOT FEED A WILD BEAR, EVER! IF YOU ARE CAMPING, BE ALERT AND PLACE YOUR FOOD IN SEALED CONTAINERS.
Black bears have been more successful in their survival and in evading of humans. There are presently eight recognized bear species. Minnesota had a bounty on black bears from 1945 to 1965.
Bears have been shot, poisoned, trapped, box trapped, and assaulted with an espontoon (French word). An espontoon is a spear known in English as a halbert.
The espontoon resembled a spear, was five or six feet long, and had two blades. The attacker could thrust his weapon repeatedly at a grizzly bear.
Problems between humans and bears have a very long history. In fact, it was primitive humans who first had problems with bears in caves.
There are many nicknames for bears. A partial list of names includes nanook, big hairy one, black beast, brownie, yogi, bruin, happy hooligan, big feet, bear cat, beast, goliath, grandmother, shining cat, honey bear, four eyes, ape man, monster, etc. This partial list includes names from all of the bear species. The Stutz Bearcat was an early automobile.
Professional, amateur, and youth sports teams use bear names; most notably football, baseball, and basketball.
Many bears were killed in the First and Second World War. The Indian Army killed many sloth bears during the 1800's. Perhaps for target practice, or some other trivial reason/s. On a somewhat positive note, grizzly bears are flexible in what they eat; salmon, berries, honey, fruit, moose, elk and human food.
Grizzly bears may double their weight, eating up to 20 thousand calories per day, in preparation for a long hibernation. Incredible quantities of plant materials must be eaten because grizzly bears" digestive system can't properly absorb the nutrients therein.
Scientists study bear scats to identify what was eaten and digested by individuals.
The term "black bear" is a generic description of bears that are coloured black, cinnamon, brown, semi-red, or in between.
Historically, bears have been hunted, trapped, used for entertainment, eaten, caged, bear baiting (horrible sport), demonized, driven off of their habitats, and have had body parts including their skin, teeth, bones, and claws used to satisfy human needs. Texas ranchers killed bears to protect peoples" livestock.
Grizzly bears are large, powerful, and fast. If desperate enough they"ll take on and kill a full-grown moose.
Father Armand David was the first European to see a panda. The Chicago zoo was the first to house a giant panda. There are nearly 1600 pandas in the wild. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has used the panda as its logo since 1961.
Although giant pandas are cute and cuddly looking, never approach one straight on in the wild. The giant panda is still a wild animal. Giant pandas eat twenty different kinds of bamboo.
They live in thick-forested areas in China where it's cool and damp. Their primary food source is bamboo.
The hunting of giant pandas has been illegal in China since 1962.
Being a giant panda in the wild is tough. Many giant pandas Don't reach adulthood. Leopards and other predators are a lurking danger.
The Government of China has established 40 giant panda preserves in order to help protect this beautiful animal.
Corridors have been carved out to enable pandas to migrate to bamboo sites. Pandas generally don't breed too well in captivity. Zoo professionals must work hard to fix this problem.
The Arabian Oryx (140-175 lbs.) is a medium-sized antelope. It was almost blasted out of existence. This desert wonder was once quite numerous in the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabian Oryx can survive without drinking water for up to a year. Plants supply it with much needed moisture.
From the 1950's rampant, unfettered hunting of the Arabian Oryx by helicopters, radio communications, and modern weaponry almost resulted in extinction of this species.
The Government of Saudi Arabia, Fauna Preservation Society (now Fauna and Flora International) and the World Wildlife Fund have helped pull the Arabian Oryx back from the brink of extinction.
Today, there are conservation efforts by governments in the region and international organizations, helping to maintain a healthy Arabian Oryx population.
Seven percent of the American population are hunters; they"re dedicated to their cause.
Canned hunting doesn't require much talent, often no chase, and a guaranteed kill. Many professional hunters look down upon the canned hunting industry, and rightfully so.
Canned hunting preserves are springing up in the United States. There are hundreds of preserves in Texas alone. The hunting is done on private lands containing exotic animals, usually from Africa or Asia. Because most owners "guarantee" that the hunter will get a kill, any John, Dick, or 'Harriet", can shoot an animal. Just have your credit card in your hand.
Thankfully, 9 states have already outlawed canned hunts. In 2005 the Texas Legislature passed a law prohibiting remote hunting (hunting by internet); including bow hunting, cross bow hunting, or firearm hunting of animals in Texas.
Trophy hunting is available in North America, Europe,
Africa, and Asia. In Europe, millions of Euros are made annually from proceeds of the trophy hunting industry. Trophy hunting organizations based in Europe offer package deals (including tours, lodging, and hunting) to designated sites in Africa, Asia, North America, and Europe.
Endangered species are oftentimes hunted. Some zoos and circuses sell animals to the canned hunting industry. Some of these animals have been in captivity on display and have been fed by humans for much of or all of their lives. Abuse does occur.
The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) is respected and known throughout the world.
In essence, many canned hunting targets have been de- animalized; they"ve lost their fear of humans and their flight instinct has been blunted.
Most preserves are fenced-in, or have some kind of enclosure structure. In effect, the animals are sitting ducks! Even if the animal does run away, it"ll be within the confines of the preserve. In some cases, food is used to entice the animal to approach a pre-designated site. Food may be placed in the same location for days or weeks beforehand to better assure an easy kill. The animal casually goes to its food source, and is then killed.
Some canned hunting organizations give the hunter even more aid. The target animal is actually securely fastened to a stationary object; a guaranteed kill.
Wolves once prevailed over much of the North American continent. With over 20 gray wolf sub-species it's no wonder. In their heyday wolves were super predators, usually hunted in well-organized packs, thereby increasing their strength, persistence and efficiency.
Wolves have incredible endurance, able to trot for many miles a day. Packs of wolves will kill a bear if it gets too close for comfort. In a one-on-one confrontation, a wolf wouldn't stand a chance against a full-grown bear or a cougar.
Early European settlers, demonized, then began wide-scale slaughtering campaigns against wolves. Because wolves killed livestock and were large predators, settlers, especially ranchers, viewed them as competitors and dangerous creatures. Unwarranted and inflated stories of wolves attacking people were widely distributed. In fact, wolves in the wild almost never attack people.
A wolf attack may occur when a person inadvertently walks into a dispute, near wolf pups or encounters a sickly individual. Hybrid (wolf-dogs) should not be companion animals; They"re unpredictable. They don't belong in the pet category.
Ranchers have an inherent right to defend their livestock and companion animals. Problem animals should be dealt with by translocation or deadly force, if necessary. Translocation takes time and money though.
Ranchers provide bread and butter to the citizens at large. Fencing, securing the livestock, guard dog/s, and motion detectors (expensive), and other non-lethal methods may help.
The extermination campaign of wolves was encouraged and supported by the United States Government through the use of bounties. The bounty system was also used in the Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. Calls for the 'extinction' of wolves were prevalent. What they really meant was extermination.
Extinction sounds natural, like it was caused by nature. Under this context, extermination is the deliberate, cold- blooded and calculated series of actions designed to completely annihilate wolves. Trapping, hunting (with or without a bounty), habitat destruction, poisoning and translocation were the main methods used.
Bounties were given for wolf carcasses. By the early1970's, there were only a few hundred wolves left in the Continental United States, most of them in the upper Midwest. Although wolves in Alaska fared better today they're under threat, from aerial shooting.
The Endangered Species Act (1973) was a step forward for the protection of endangered species, including wolves. Although the process was slow it eventually lead to the re-introduction of additional wolves into the upper Midwest. Other areas may follow suit. Nevertheless, the forces against wolves haven't given up yet.
A wolf named "Old Lefty" evaded being killed for 13 years. In Alaska, wolves are being killed by aerial shooting or land and shoot kills. The former procedure exhausts the wolves, making it easier to shoot them. The gunners are sharpshooters.
In land and shoot kills, the plane lands, the gunners get out then the wolves are gunned-down at close range or point blank range.
The Airborne Hunting Act of 1972 specifies the conditions pertaining to the aerial hunting of wildlife. Aerial hunting in Alaska has been placed under the category of wildlife management, thereby neutralizing the Airborne Hunting Act of 1972.
In packs wolves are very formidable predators; able to take down a full-grown, antlered, healthy moose.
Wolves can trail a target animal for many miles, if necessary.
Wolf packs initially spot a herd, stalk the herd, get closer to the herd, close-in on an individual, harass and make contact with the individual, separate the individual then move in for the kill.
In the kill, several or all of the wolf members may participate. All's not good however. Many of their attempts at finding and killing prey are unsuccessful. Prey animals have evolved acute senses and in the case of adult moose, an incredibly deadly kicking ability; in adult males incredible antlers. These prey weapons can cause serious injury or death to a wolf.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between government bodies.
CITES members safeguard the safety and security of wildlife and plants in the international trade.
CITES member states adhere to CITES rulings voluntarily.
The trade in wildlife and plants crosses numerous international borders. As such cooperation between member nations is necessary in order to implement CITES rulings.
The black market trade is a big problem to be tackled. Currently, there are 175 members of the CITES Convention.
Animals are categorized animals into three appendices:
1. Appendix one: Includes species populations that are threatened with extinction. Trade in these species is permitted under 'special" circumstances (non-commercial import).
2. Appendix Two: Includes species populations that are controlled in order to prevent trade that is harmful or hazardous to their existence.
3. Appendix three: Includes species that are controlled in one or more countries. The "controlling nations" have requested other nations to help in their control.
Although CITES does not have the power or authority it needs, the organization is respected by the governing world body and citizens across the globe.
Nations that illegally trade in animals and plants are often not fully equipped to stop poaching, don't care, or are actively involved in the illegal trade. In effect, some governments are a big part of the black market. Rampant corruption, dictatorship, and no tough controls keep the process running.
CITES member nations should continue to work hard and diligently to help protect endangered species.
In Britain people who want to hunt game birds can do so at special estates or farms. Here, game birds are reared to later be targets for game bird hunters.
Game bird hunters referred to as "punters" by the British, pay hefty prices to shoot game birds out of the sky. The surrounding areas may be cleared (poisoning, trapping, shooting, bludgeoning, snaring, etc.) of wildlife prior to the big hunting event.
Fur-bearing animals can be trapped by the use of snares. Snares are wires that strangle the part of the body that is caught. For instance, if a fox's leg is caught in a snare, the snare becomes a tourniquet. Since many sna