> Hunting is not needed for population control. More effective and natural solutions exist, such as reintroducing natural predators, which address the root causes and allow ecosystems to balance themselves. Hunting, by contrast, is a reactive measure.
For those concerned wild animal welfare and/or "the predator problem", there are other solutions too.
For example, we (Belgian animal rights lobbyists/organizers/activists) have successfully pushed for sterilization as a more humane option. Many Belgian places now no longer combat pidgeon overpopulation by killing them, but rather use targeted spreading of food pellets (that are too big for smaller birds) that cause temporary sterility.
Same with cats, there used to be a huge cat overpopulation which lead to a truly enormous number of cats being killed to keep the population in check. Now there are laws demanding and subsidizing sterilization, drastically lowering the amount of killing that needs to be done.
Thanks a lot for highlighting that, Bob - and for your advocacy! I have a very packed article pipeline at the moment, but if time permits I might address this sterilization topic in an upcoming piece. I might get in touch with you to get some more information on this.
Pala – Thank you for your thoughtful, and respectful, response. You’re certainly correct that this an important topic to discuss and you’ve clearly thought a great deal about it. I’m under no illusions that anything I might say will change your opinion. I have very little to add beyond what I said in my original response – just a couple of comments:
1) “Predominately plant-based” = Omnivore (with, as I pointed out, huge variations amongst various human populations, current and ancient)
2) I did not argue that hunting is needed to “control populations”. In fact, I think that is a silly argument put forward by those incurring (typically quite minor) economic losses to various animal (e.g., deer) populations. I’d much rather see the end of humanity’s war on predators.
3) What, in my opinion, is not a silly argument is that unless many/most/all people know and understand the natural world well enough to (at least some of the time) prioritize it over short-term economic gain, the natural world will continue to be exploited, diminished, extirpated, and destroyed by our species. There are numerous ways to come to know, understand, and love the natural world. I’d be interested to learn what your path was. In my experience, hunting (and fishing) is a very effective way to achieve that. As I’m guessing you’re fully aware, conservation efforts are woefully under-funded and nowhere near up to the task at hand. Most people are, in general, far more interested in economic gain than in conserving the natural world. In the United States (I can’t speak to other countries), funds for conservation come from various sources, but significant amounts of that funding come through hunters and fishers due to license fees, Pittman-Robertson excise taxes, donations (e.g., to habitat acquisition and management groups such a Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited), etc. Without hunters and fishers our natural areas would be disappearing even faster than they are, taking with them many species in addition to those animals being hunted and fished for.
You raise important points in your response, many of which I agree with. Climate change is an existential threat that we are not addressing adequately. The practice of raising animals in CAFOs should end. I don’t know where you live Pala, but if you’re ever in Iowa, here’s my best offer: I’ll take you hunting and then you can make us a vegan meal (in our kitchen) that I’ll be happy to eat while we discuss these important issues.
Thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful reply — I really appreciate the respectful tone and the genuine spirit of dialogue you’re bringing to this conversation. It’s refreshing, and honestly quite rare.
You raise some important points. First, on your note about being “predominantly plant-based” meaning omnivorous — sure, fair enough in a purely dietary sense. But I think the real issue isn’t classification, it’s what kind of food systems are ethical, sustainable, and aligned with our values today. That’s where I believe we need to rethink the role of animal products in our lives — regardless of historical diets.
I'm glad we agree that hunting isn't necessary and that humanity should focus on alternative, more ethical and efficient ways of managing wildlife populations.
I truly do appreciate your invitation. But I hope you’ll understand that I wouldn’t go hunting — to me, that act constitutes blunt and unnecessary violence. And above all, it contributes to normalizing a culture of meat eating that inevitably includes factory farming.
I currently live in Europe, and I try to avoid flying whenever possible — primarily for environmental reasons — so meeting up might not be so easy. But if it were, I’d happily share a vegan meal with you and continue the conversation.
I can hear your deep affinity for the natural world. I’ve built my own relationship with nature through many avenues: hiking, forest walks, observing wildlife, and simply paying close attention to the ecosystems around me. I believe we can nurture that connection without resorting to violence. As Ed Winters put it: “If you want to feel close to nature, just go for a walk in a forest and leave the animals alone.”
Jim, I truly think honest conversations like this are where real progress begins, and I’m grateful for your openness and willingness to engage.
Thanks for your reply. I’m not headed to Europe anytime soon. I was hoping you lived in Michigan or something…🙂. If we could have gone “hunting” we would have brought a camera rather than a firearm or bow. But, how about this: send me your favorite vegan recipe and we’ll find a day for both of us to make it…. lunch for me, dinner for you to address the time zone difference. Then we could still chat over a meal. I think your “tribe” and my “tribe” might have more in common than is generally appreciated.
Hey Jim, I really appreciate that thoughtful offer — it actually made me smile! I love the idea of sharing a vegan meal and a good conversation across time zones. My next few weeks are looking pretty packed, but I really hope to take you up on that sometime soon. Have a great day & thanks again!
> Hunting is not needed for population control. More effective and natural solutions exist, such as reintroducing natural predators, which address the root causes and allow ecosystems to balance themselves. Hunting, by contrast, is a reactive measure.
For those concerned wild animal welfare and/or "the predator problem", there are other solutions too.
For example, we (Belgian animal rights lobbyists/organizers/activists) have successfully pushed for sterilization as a more humane option. Many Belgian places now no longer combat pidgeon overpopulation by killing them, but rather use targeted spreading of food pellets (that are too big for smaller birds) that cause temporary sterility.
Same with cats, there used to be a huge cat overpopulation which lead to a truly enormous number of cats being killed to keep the population in check. Now there are laws demanding and subsidizing sterilization, drastically lowering the amount of killing that needs to be done.
Thanks a lot for highlighting that, Bob - and for your advocacy! I have a very packed article pipeline at the moment, but if time permits I might address this sterilization topic in an upcoming piece. I might get in touch with you to get some more information on this.
In any case, please keep up the good work!
Excellent, well reasoned and respectful article. Kudos for this! 🙏✌️🌎
I appreciate your feedback, Debra :) Thanks so much for reading!
This is excellent, thank you! 💚
Thanks, Jessica! 🙏
Thank you for this 🙏🤝🐽🐾 🌎
💚
Pala – Thank you for your thoughtful, and respectful, response. You’re certainly correct that this an important topic to discuss and you’ve clearly thought a great deal about it. I’m under no illusions that anything I might say will change your opinion. I have very little to add beyond what I said in my original response – just a couple of comments:
1) “Predominately plant-based” = Omnivore (with, as I pointed out, huge variations amongst various human populations, current and ancient)
2) I did not argue that hunting is needed to “control populations”. In fact, I think that is a silly argument put forward by those incurring (typically quite minor) economic losses to various animal (e.g., deer) populations. I’d much rather see the end of humanity’s war on predators.
3) What, in my opinion, is not a silly argument is that unless many/most/all people know and understand the natural world well enough to (at least some of the time) prioritize it over short-term economic gain, the natural world will continue to be exploited, diminished, extirpated, and destroyed by our species. There are numerous ways to come to know, understand, and love the natural world. I’d be interested to learn what your path was. In my experience, hunting (and fishing) is a very effective way to achieve that. As I’m guessing you’re fully aware, conservation efforts are woefully under-funded and nowhere near up to the task at hand. Most people are, in general, far more interested in economic gain than in conserving the natural world. In the United States (I can’t speak to other countries), funds for conservation come from various sources, but significant amounts of that funding come through hunters and fishers due to license fees, Pittman-Robertson excise taxes, donations (e.g., to habitat acquisition and management groups such a Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited), etc. Without hunters and fishers our natural areas would be disappearing even faster than they are, taking with them many species in addition to those animals being hunted and fished for.
You raise important points in your response, many of which I agree with. Climate change is an existential threat that we are not addressing adequately. The practice of raising animals in CAFOs should end. I don’t know where you live Pala, but if you’re ever in Iowa, here’s my best offer: I’ll take you hunting and then you can make us a vegan meal (in our kitchen) that I’ll be happy to eat while we discuss these important issues.
Hi Jim,
Thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful reply — I really appreciate the respectful tone and the genuine spirit of dialogue you’re bringing to this conversation. It’s refreshing, and honestly quite rare.
You raise some important points. First, on your note about being “predominantly plant-based” meaning omnivorous — sure, fair enough in a purely dietary sense. But I think the real issue isn’t classification, it’s what kind of food systems are ethical, sustainable, and aligned with our values today. That’s where I believe we need to rethink the role of animal products in our lives — regardless of historical diets.
I'm glad we agree that hunting isn't necessary and that humanity should focus on alternative, more ethical and efficient ways of managing wildlife populations.
I truly do appreciate your invitation. But I hope you’ll understand that I wouldn’t go hunting — to me, that act constitutes blunt and unnecessary violence. And above all, it contributes to normalizing a culture of meat eating that inevitably includes factory farming.
I currently live in Europe, and I try to avoid flying whenever possible — primarily for environmental reasons — so meeting up might not be so easy. But if it were, I’d happily share a vegan meal with you and continue the conversation.
I can hear your deep affinity for the natural world. I’ve built my own relationship with nature through many avenues: hiking, forest walks, observing wildlife, and simply paying close attention to the ecosystems around me. I believe we can nurture that connection without resorting to violence. As Ed Winters put it: “If you want to feel close to nature, just go for a walk in a forest and leave the animals alone.”
Jim, I truly think honest conversations like this are where real progress begins, and I’m grateful for your openness and willingness to engage.
Thanks for your reply. I’m not headed to Europe anytime soon. I was hoping you lived in Michigan or something…🙂. If we could have gone “hunting” we would have brought a camera rather than a firearm or bow. But, how about this: send me your favorite vegan recipe and we’ll find a day for both of us to make it…. lunch for me, dinner for you to address the time zone difference. Then we could still chat over a meal. I think your “tribe” and my “tribe” might have more in common than is generally appreciated.
Hey Jim, I really appreciate that thoughtful offer — it actually made me smile! I love the idea of sharing a vegan meal and a good conversation across time zones. My next few weeks are looking pretty packed, but I really hope to take you up on that sometime soon. Have a great day & thanks again!