Hunt

Hunt is a term with multiple related meanings. As a verb, to hunt means to pursue and attempt to capture or kill wild animals for food, clothing, population management, or sport. Hunting is practiced worldwide and is regulated in many jurisdictions through seasons, bag limits, licensing, and safety rules. Proponents view it as a traditional subsistence activity and a wildlife-management tool, while critics emphasize animal welfare concerns. Ethical frameworks and conservation science guide many hunting programs, including habitat management and non-lethal alternatives.

As a noun, a hunt can refer to an organized expedition to pursue game, a session of pursuing animals, or metaphorically to a determined search, such as a hunt for a lead or for information. The term also appears in phrases such as "hunt down" and "hunt for clues."

Hunt is also an English surname and, less commonly, a given name. It is generally understood to have originated from the occupation of hunter, tracing back to Old English or early Middle English forms. The surname is widespread in English-speaking countries and has produced numerous notable individuals in politics, arts, science, and sports.

In culture, The Hunt is a common title for works of film and literature. Notable examples include The Hunt, a 2012 Danish drama directed by Thomas Vinterberg (known in Danish as Jagten), and The Hunt, a 2020 American thriller directed by Craig Zobel. The term also appears in other media and in episode titles, reflecting its metaphorical sense of pursuit.