Hunting is not an uncommon activity in Canada. However, most people only have a sweeping idea of hunting. What is the definition of hunting? What are the different types of hunting? In this article, I will share it with you.
Definition of hunting
Hunting is the act of humans seeking, pursuing, capturing, or killing wild animals or wild animals. By using animal bodies to obtain meat and useful animal products for their entertainment, survival, tourism, or to protect the ecological environment.
Three types of hunting
1. Therapeutic hunting
Natural hunting is a type of hunting that aims to protect other animal groups and species by strictly preserving the ecosystem and biodiversity. Natural hunting is a type of hunting that aims to protect other animal groups and species by strictly preserving the ecosystem and biodiversity.
When the population of a species becomes too large, its impact on the ecosystem will be as follows:
(1) Competition for other animal food resources;
(2) Excessive consumption of vegetation;
(3) The population increases due to breeding, migration, or other reasons.
In this case, natural hunting can balance the number of wild animals to a certain extent, while also reducing problems such as overpredation and ecological damage.
In the United States, white-tailed deer populations often exceed the carrying capacity of their local environment. For example, when white-tailed deer breed in large numbers at the turn of the season, this can negatively impact farmland and roads. Some states permit hunters to legally cull white-tailed deer during specific seasons to manage their populations.
One-horned antelope is a wild animal found in the African grasslands. However, due to their unique living environment, lack of natural predators, and excessive competition with other species, the population of unicorns continues to increase. Some African countries have begun to open up legal hunting to control the unicorn population.
The above two examples show that the overpopulation of animals has caused a severe ecological imbalance, so it is necessary to reduce their numbers by hunting to achieve balance.
2. Subsistence hunting
Hunting for subsistence is the most frequently cited main reason. Subsistence hunting is hunting for survival. Subsistence hunting mainly views animals from the perspective of their actual use. Hunters regard hunting as a harvesting activity and view wild animals as harvestable crops to provide food for themselves and their families. Subsistence hunting can be hard to observe as it often happens in isolated rural areas, frigid climates, or areas with distinct cultural identities. The characteristics of these places are far away from human habitation.
The Inuit are distributed in and outside the Arctic Circle from Siberia, Alaska to Greenland. Due to the cold weather and little plant food, they have relied on hunting for generations. Their food sources are generally reindeer, seals, walruses, whales, other animals, and various fish species in the Arctic. The Inuit people primarily rely on traditional hunting tools like crossbows, bows, and arrows.
3. Sport hunting
Sport hunting is an activity that involves the killing of wild animals for recreational or competitive purposes. Typically, this activity is enjoyed by those who appreciate the outdoors and have an interest in hunting. It's a unique leisure activity that allows city-dwellers to challenge themselves against nature and immerse themselves in the wilderness
Such activities can not only satisfy people's characteristic interest in wilderness survival skills and knowledge but also satisfy people's unique experience and desire to explore the world of nature and wild animals. On the one hand, sport hunting can teach you some basic survival skills. On the other hand, it can open your mind and enhance your mentality. You can also get some hunting products such as hares, pheasants, and wild ducks.
Trophy hunting is also a type of sport hunting. It refers to recreational hunting activities in which hunters pay to have a hunting experience, kill animals, and collect and display the animal remains as trophies to show off social status and brag about personal skill achievements. Trophy hunting is usually carried out by wealthy people. The animals they hunt are often large animals such as brown bears and lions, or they cut off ivory, antlers, etc. as trophies.
Hunters do not display fierce feelings for animals. Turkey, deer, and wild boar are generally hunted, often with firearms or weapons. Different countries have different laws and regulations regarding sport hunting, so this activity needs to be conducted legally and responsibly.
Hunting restrictions
To maintain the balance of the biological chain, the natural resource management agencies of each state in Canada issue quota hunting licenses every year based on the detailed survey results of animal experts that year. Every adult citizen can apply for a license.
To own a firearm in Canada, firearms owners must possess a valid firearms license and a Canadian registration certificate. However, automatic repeating firearms and pistols are prohibited, while rimfire rifles are also not used. On the other hand, muzzleloaders and shotguns are permitted.
Hunting is increasingly becoming one of people's favorite forms of entertainment, and the number of hunters is also growing by now. Hunting strengthens our bodies, increases our confidence, and promotes ecological balance. The article briefly introduces the definition of hunting and the three types of hunting: therapeutic hunting, subsistence hunting, and sport hunting. Every hunter can choose the weapon that best suits them based on the type of hunting they want to hunt.
