For most of Homo sapien's time on earth, this species was a hunter gatherer. Much of his hunting may have been scavenging. More often, homo was the prey. His numbers were small, life span short, maybe 20 years.Chidbirth was a 50-50 gamble for mother
and newborn.
Fifty thousand years ago there were some changes. Homo erectus had migrated to Eurasia, as far as Australia. Populations had increased. The spear, with flint, copper and iron spear heads have been found as far back as 40,000 years BC.
Bow and arrow was used throughout Eurasia from possibly 30-40,000 years ago. The weapon appeared in the North American arctic 5000 years ago and spread to the American midwest by 2000 ya. Spanish explorers brought the horse in 1500's and horses soon fell
to the hands of the plains indians. The horse greatly increased their mobility. These people, riding bareback, shooting a bow and arrow at the full gallop, were amazingly skilled hunters of the Buffalo. It is notable, however, that when the Europeans spread
westward the buffalo were in the millions, herds as far as the eye could see. Their population was apparently not impacted by the indigenous hunters.
In a span of just 50 years, in the hands of the European immigrants, the Winchester repeating rifle almost
wiped them out. The Winchester was known as the "the gun that won the west".
Now we have the .375 Magnum. And telescopic sights. A killing shot of a large animal can be made from 500 yards.
We have domesticated animals and an agicultural revolution.
We can easily go to the "Save- on- Foods" where there is abundant produce. We do not need to kill wildlife for food. It is obvious that the Bears,Sheep and Goats in the video clips were not killed for steak and chops.
It is expensive to do a hunt. A BC
outfitter says you can do a 10 day hunt for $25,000. If you want to try for two [bear and sheep], that's $30,000. Then there's the cost of your airline, your weapon and ammunition, other gear probably adding up to about $35-40,000. That's
an expensive roast dinner. Hunting and species licenses are dirt cheap {$30 for a resident hunter.} I suspect this is the government's way of encouraging "Hunting Tourism" {$50 million annually.}
So, why do people spend thousands to
"go hunting"? So they can go a week without a shower? Carry a 50 pound pack up and down montains? Sleep on the hard ground? Experience clouds of flies and mosquitos? Eat dried noodles and beans three times a day? Because they like risky, small
plane flights?
I don't think any of the above. Why, then?
They want to kill something. From a safe distance.
The President of the United states, Theodore Roosevelt, liked
to hunt. In 1909 he led an expedition to Africa where he and his companions killed 500 large game animals for the Smithsonian and American Museum of Natural History. The museum worked on the specimens for many years. There was considerable duplication of specimens
and many were dispensed to other institutions.. When criticized for these excesses, Roosevelt argued back, saying the museums should take the hit. The great wilderness man, John Muir, tried to stop him, to no avail. "Teddy just likes to kill things", he said.
OK, We Homo sapiens need to turn the page. We are literate and educated. We know we are related to every other living thing on this planet. We are all in it together. Nature is a tough place. Predators kill prey [and eat every last morsel.] Wildlife
can die of disease and accident. Bears may kill other bears. There is a certain balance in nature. Homo sapiens needs to stay out of it.
You like wilderness? OK,you can go there. Learn how to saddle a horse. Learn how to put gear on a pack horse securely.
Learn how to put up a tent, light a fire, find your way. Learn about everything you see; the geology, the vegetation, see all small things; marmots, skunk, racoon, wolverine. Want to bring something back? Take your camera [a good one with
telephoto lens] and know how to use it.