This commentary is by Jesse C. McEntee of Underhill. He is a freelance writer, hunter and author of the “Next Adventure” newsletter.
A Vocal Minority
I seek to minimize the suffering of all wildlife, whether by hunting or by catching mice in the kitchen cupboard. Spearheading the effort to reform Vermont’s fish and game laws this past winter was Protect Our Wildlife, a wildlife advocacy group aiming to educate the public and state leadership about trapping practices and hunting techniques they believe are outdated.
Fierce opposition prevented the reforms from taking hold. Proposed changes could have altered how wildlife rules are made and the tactics allowed in hunting and trapping.
I bring up POW’s efforts because they represent a national trend to undermine hunting laws in the name of animal welfare, and I anticipate that new legislation will be proposed this winter in Montpelier. All outdoors-people should pay attention to how wildlife management is being legislated in their states. Whether you take pictures, watch birds or hunt, it’s an important dialogue.
POW seeks to “make Vermont a more humane place for wildlife” and to create a governance structure that includes non-consumptive viewpoints, replacing the current one that prioritizes hunters, trappers and anglers. I agree with some of POW’s sentiments, including opposition to hunting coyotes over bait or using hounds (unless necessary to control a nuisance population). I don’t support “killing contests,” but I do support hunting coyotes in the spirit of fair chase.
Another area of my agreement with POW is that wildlife governance should better represent the state’s population. The governor-appointed Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board has one member from each of the state’s 14 counties, which is not statistically representative. Essex County (population 6,000) and Chittenden County (population 170,000) both have one vote.
But a bill that would have addressed some of these governance issues, S.258, had problematic aspects as well. The bill would have made the Board “advisory” with no real authority, suggesting changes to the Fish & Wildlife Department instead of making decisions. At least at one point in the bill’s consideration, it would also have required that the Board include members representing non-consumptive users, such as birdwatchers, without clear evidence that this would result in a more representative system.
Just because a group is the loudest doesn’t make them right.
Speculation grew that groups like POW sought to get Board members friendly to their cause to limit hunting and trapping in Vermont. This sentiment may have some conspiratorial undertones, but it reflects the strong value Vermonters place on their right to hunt. Evidence suggests that trapping, which is even more controversial than hunting, still has majority support in Vermont.
The necessity of hunting
Humans used to hunt for food, but now we hunt because it’s a necessary conservation tool. After eliminating apex predators and developing the countryside, hunting became a critical tool to keep species like deer in check. Without predators, deer overgraze forests, leading to ecosystem damage. Hunters now help reduce populations to sustainable levels.
Though the percentage of American hunters has declined for decades, the need for hunting remains. In areas with few hunters or where hunting is banned, deer and bears become nuisance species, causing property damage and accidents. In addition to controlling populations, hunters fund millions in conservation efforts through licenses and ammunition taxes.
I care, therefore I hunt
The caricature of hunters as ignorant is outdated; most hunters are informed conservationists committed to ethical hunting practices. The few bad apples highlighted by anti-hunting groups do not represent the majority. For instance, the nonprofit Backcountry Hunters & Anglers champions public land access and habitat improvement, demonstrating deep care for the environment and fair chase.
If you’re not a hunter already, there’s one thing you can do to be part of this dialogue in a truly engaged manner: start hunting. Hear me out.
I grew up in an anti-hunting household, but over time I realized that hunting plays a critical role in conservation. Without apex predators, humans must manage wildlife populations. When I began hunting in my late 20s, the experience transformed my worldview. Hunting is tactile, rooted in a material reality. If you’re anti-gun or afraid of guns, try archery. You’ll likely enjoy the challenge and become attuned to factors like weather, terrain and animal behavior that influence the hunt.
Being outdoors also offers exercise and immersion in nature. You gain an understanding of environmental issues such as invasive species, development and climate change. Hunters often have deep knowledge of these topics.
Hunting also fosters social connections. It’s easy to stereotype hunters as conservative, but I lean left politically, as do many of my hunting friends. Hunting opens dialogue with people who may hold different views, creating bonds that are rare in today’s digital, fragmented society.
And, of course, hunting provides healthy, organic meat. Harvesting wild game offers a sustainable, ethical food source that’s lean and free of additives. I’ll never forget the taste of the venison from my first deer, cooked with friends on a cold Vermont night.
By becoming a hunter, you establish meaningful connections to the land, the wildlife and the food you eat — connections that many Americans are missing today.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Jesse C. McEntee: Why hunting is key to conservation efforts.