Hunters

Hunters are people who pursue wild animals for food, sport, or population management. They rely on knowledge of animal behavior, tracking, and marksmanship, and operate within legal frameworks designed to ensure safety and wildlife sustainability.

Types of hunting include subsistence hunting, traditional and recreational hunting, and professional or guided hunting in some regions. Common targets range from small game such as rabbits and squirrels to big game like deer and elk, waterfowl, upland birds, and predators. Hunting practices vary by culture, ecology, and local regulations.

Equipment and methods include firearms and bows, traps and nets, and hunting dogs. Techniques encompass still hunting, stalking, ambush, calling, drives, and stand hunting. Seasons, bag limits, and other rules are set by wildlife agencies to balance ecological concerns and user demand.

Laws typically require licenses, hunter education, firearm or safety training, and adherence to seasons and harvest limits. Ethics emphasize fair chase, minimizing suffering, safety, respect for landowners and other users, and responsibility for the environment and non-target species.

Conservation: in many regions, hunting funds wildlife management through licenses, taxes on equipment, and donations. Cultural significance: hunting has historic and cultural roles in many communities, and debates surround animal welfare, ecological impact, and alternatives to wildlife management.