I am not a tree hugger, but recognize the "trophy" animals are diminishing in numbers. There are 6billion people on the planet and many of them are hunters. People outnumber the animals, and hunters have immense advantages in the "fight" so expect fewer trophies in time.
I use the coyote graphic to address one (1) excuse used to kill animals, protect live stock. Controlling your enemy is not always as obvious as killing your enemy, even when it comes to people. I use this graphic because the others available are sad and sickening, even GROSS and CRUEL.
There is evidence that hunting prime animals MAY inhibit the gene pool in a bad way, leaving NOT the fittest, but weaker species in the gene pool.
NPR story of how hunting can lead to weaker, lesser, poorer species.
"One lion’s life – a lesson about hunting"
Posted on 4 March, 2015 by Guest Blogger in Animal Encounters, Conservation, Hunting
https://africageographic.com/blog/one-lions-life-a-lesson-about-hunting/
"Big Johns’ story and subsequent death are very relevant to the hotly debated topic of trophy hunting. While estimates of wild lion populations vary, it is safe to assume the number to be in the region of 20 000. With 7 billion people on the planet and rising, the lion population is in dire straits.
There are several contributing factors to this:
1. Trophy hunting – Targets the best genes in a population. If this superior animal’s genes are not in high enough density in the population, prevented due to its untimely death through hunting, it’s ability to produce offspring with the same impressive traits and necessities to survival is prevented. This paves the way for weaker genes to be more abundant."
There are five (5) other items on the list.
"Ending the Debate Over the Benefits of Trophy Hunting. 4 Myths Debunked"
by Kayleigh Barber 26 Aug 2015
"In the wake of Cecil’s death, the world is more conscious of trophy hunting than ever. Dozens of petitions have been created in a bid to stop airlines carrying trophies back across the globe, many of which have had great success, and it seems as though this popular lion has not died in vain in that respect.
However, fans of the “sport” have argued tooth-and-nail with animal activists for decades that what they do actually helps wildlife and local people, bringing trade and a source of food to poor villages, raising money for conservation efforts, and improving the gene pool of endangered animals by removing old and sick individuals from breeding and allowing stronger and fitter males to get their groove on. This all sounds beneficial to animals – if you ignore the fact that innocent lives are ended for the “good of the rest” – and if you ignore the pressing truth that debunks many of these statements."
These re MYTHS - not supported by the facts.
"1. Hunting is Not an Effective Method of Population Control"
"2. At Least Two-Thirds of Hunted Animals DO Suffer Painful Deaths and Injuries"
"3. Captive Animals are Bred Specifically to be Killed by Hunters"
"4. Hunting Does Not Necessarily Benefit Local Communities. In Fact, it Usually Doesn’t"
My suggestion: USE A CAMERA!
