Which of the following statements about hunting is true? [Answered]

Possible Answers:
a) Regulated hunting has led to the extinction of several North American animals.
b) Hunting is an effective wildlife management tool.
c) Excessive hunting causes edge effect.
d) Hunters spend less time, money, and effort on wildlife conservation than other groups.

Correct ANSWER:

b) Hunting is an effective wildlife management tool.

And the right answer is B. Why? Let us find out!

Hunting: An Effective Tool for Wildlife Management 

Hunting is an effective wildlife management tool because it helps keep animals populations under control and in balance with their natural habitats. Hunting can prove important when it comes to safeguarding and maintaining the integrity of wildlife’s natural conditions. 

In addition, hunting directly funds wildlife conservation in the United States. The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 (PR Act) established the creation of the Wildlife Restoration Fund. This act required a portion of revenues from hunting licenses plus a tax on the importation of firearms to go towards the conservation of wildlife. Ironically, recent declines in hunting licenses have led to shortfalls in conservation budgets.

Hunting licenses ensure that deer and other wildlife populations are maintained at healthy levels. Too many deer result in weak and starving populations. Too few and they may not repopulate fast enough to ensure their survival. Hunting licenses are regulated to keep wildlife populations in perfect balance.

Furthermore, hunting can also help build and strengthen public support related to land preservation. The government’s budget is growing tighter, and wildlife managers and communities find it hard to find funding for wildlife maintenance and management. 

The public land managers can now invite hunters to come to carry out ethical hunting practices not only to generate funds but also to maintain a healthy balance of animal species in a specific region. According to a recent study by Agri Life Extension, predator control is also a great tool for wildlife management. 

This means hunting can help get rid of unnatural concentrations of any particular species in an area. However, there are economic protocols and thresholds to determine when it is alright for hunting to justify as a control measure. 

Why Are the Other Answers Wrong? 

While hunting can be an efficient tool for wildlife management, here is why options a, c and d were not the right answers. 

Regulated Hunting leading to Species Extinction

Hunting regulations have been in place for decades now. The idea is to protect and preserve wildlife by limiting the duration, time, and season for hunting. This means hunters can go wild at shooting prey of their choice on a certain day, timing, or season. Therefore, regulated hunting can never lead to species extinction. 

Excessive Hunting Causes Edge Effect

The edge effect addresses what happens when you place two contrasting wildlife ecosystems next to each other. Most animals typically live near the food and water sources such as river bottom, and the animals create habitat along one corridor. So edge effect has nothing to do with hunting as it is a natural phenomenon. 

Hunters spend less time, money, and effort on wildlife conservation than other groups.

That is not true. Hunters are increasingly helping land managers and are avid supporters of wildlife conservation these days including funding conservation directly through the purchase of hunting licenses. For instance, many hunters are directly supporting wildlife conservation through duck stamps. This way, hunters help restore and protect the habitat for migratory birds, waterfowl, and other wildlife. 

The Takeaway

If planned sensibly, land managers can use hunting as a powerful tool for wildlife management. Setting limits on hunting and what the hunters can consider prey is the primary factor for adequate wildlife management. This will help create a balanced ecosystem and prevent the unnatural concentration of any one species in the area.