Ch. 10 Discussion Questions Hunting and Wildlife Politics
2. Discuss the trends in the number and percentage of hunters and anglers in the U.S. population. What factors explain these trends? How have these trends affected the political influence of these groups? Why? Explain.
3. There are disputes over the ethics employed by hunters. What ethical principles have been promulgated for hunters? Discuss the history of the origin of these ethical rules. To what extent do hunters adhere to these principles? What hunters tend to dispute these ethics? Do you believe that it is important to adhere to such principles? Why? Discuss.
4. What is the relationship between hunters and wildlife conservationists? On what types of issues, do they tend to coalesce politically? On what issues do they tend to disagree? What implications does this relationship have for wildlife conservation policy?
5. There is a dispute over whether government should ban lead use in hunting and angling equipment that can endanger wildlife. What are the main points at issue in this debate? What position do you take? Why?
6. What are the primary arguments that suggest hunting can support biodiversity? In what ways can hunting harm biodiversity? Overall, do you think hunting has a beneficial or harmful effect on biodiversity? Discuss.
7. There has been a significant movement towards private hunting such as that on "game ranches." Describe these developments and discuss whether you believe them to be harmful or supportive of wildlife biodiversity.
8. There are disputes over whether hunting should be allowed in national wildlife refuges. What are the arguments in favor and against their use in these refuges? What position do you favor? Why?
9. There are also disputes over whether guns should be allowed in national parks. Take a position and defend it concerning this issue.
10. Many states have acted to protect hunters from those protesting hunting. Identify whether your state has legislation concerning this issue and then take a position. (You may review the publication below as well as other sources you are able to access). Do you favor or oppose this legislation? Why?
http://www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/state-constitutional-right-to-hunt-and-fish.aspx
11. There is a dispute over the extent to which hunters and anglers financially support wildlife diversity through the fees they pay for licenses and other means. Discuss the opposing viewpoints on this issue. What position have hunter groups taken on the movement to diversify financial support for state wildlife agencies and more generally wildlife conservation? What is the reason for their position? What is your position concerning the diversification of funding for wildlife conservation? What governmental support, if any, do you should be employed at the Federal, state, and local levels?
- Read the publication available below as well as other publications that you are able to access concerning human uses of wildlife including hunting, angling, and non-consumptive activities and then discuss how important consumptive uses are compared to non-consumptive uses in economic and political terms? Which uses are more important economically? Which users have more influence politically? Why? Explain.
2. Discuss the trends in the number and percentage of hunters and anglers in the U.S. population. What factors explain these trends? How have these trends affected the political influence of these groups? Why? Explain.
3. There are disputes over the ethics employed by hunters. What ethical principles have been promulgated for hunters? Discuss the history of the origin of these ethical rules. To what extent do hunters adhere to these principles? What hunters tend to dispute these ethics? Do you believe that it is important to adhere to such principles? Why? Discuss.
4. What is the relationship between hunters and wildlife conservationists? On what types of issues, do they tend to coalesce politically? On what issues do they tend to disagree? What implications does this relationship have for wildlife conservation policy?
5. There is a dispute over whether government should ban lead use in hunting and angling equipment that can endanger wildlife. What are the main points at issue in this debate? What position do you take? Why?
6. What are the primary arguments that suggest hunting can support biodiversity? In what ways can hunting harm biodiversity? Overall, do you think hunting has a beneficial or harmful effect on biodiversity? Discuss.
7. There has been a significant movement towards private hunting such as that on "game ranches." Describe these developments and discuss whether you believe them to be harmful or supportive of wildlife biodiversity.
8. There are disputes over whether hunting should be allowed in national wildlife refuges. What are the arguments in favor and against their use in these refuges? What position do you favor? Why?
9. There are also disputes over whether guns should be allowed in national parks. Take a position and defend it concerning this issue.
10. Many states have acted to protect hunters from those protesting hunting. Identify whether your state has legislation concerning this issue and then take a position. (You may review the publication below as well as other sources you are able to access). Do you favor or oppose this legislation? Why?
http://www.ncsl.org/research/environment-and-natural-resources/state-constitutional-right-to-hunt-and-fish.aspx
11. There is a dispute over the extent to which hunters and anglers financially support wildlife diversity through the fees they pay for licenses and other means. Discuss the opposing viewpoints on this issue. What position have hunter groups taken on the movement to diversify financial support for state wildlife agencies and more generally wildlife conservation? What is the reason for their position? What is your position concerning the diversification of funding for wildlife conservation? What governmental support, if any, do you should be employed at the Federal, state, and local levels?