Is it normal that people hunt native species?

Is it normal that people who hunt, usually hunt native species, when there are numerous exotic and invasive species around? I am not saying tthat people should hunt exotic and invasive species indiscriminately, or just for 'sport', but many of these species cause much damage to the ecosystem. I think that we could set up a system to eliminate many of these from where they do not belong, and at the same time to find good uses for them.
I know that many people are squeamish about hunting large animals, such as mammals, birds, fish or reptiles. For these people, perhaps hunting exotic and invasive insects or plants is acceptable. Please share any thoughts or ideas on this.

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Based on 23 votes (9 yes)
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Comments ( 15 )
  • cigs

    I've got alot to say about this and i've had enough of these bastards where i am from people put native plants & trees in the invasive-plant-list when they are not invasive at all,
    and they keep on and keep on bringing more none native species here which do take over and the deer eat them then they say we need to do something about these deer because they keep eating our plants or flowers fuck those dumb people those none-native-plants-trees or flowers are a snack to the deer if they where native specie those dumb ass people would not have a problem with the deer so fuck them and fuck dnr.

    another story which the dnr has a law for box-turtles and each and every year i see more and more smashed turtles in the roads adult ones and young ones smashed, because some people don't give a fuck about them as i do i care for them i am not going to pay the dnr just so i can keep one as a pet fuck no when their law for the turtles aren't worth shit their law doesn't do a damn thing but bring money to their pockets their not trying to help save these animals and plants or trees they don't give a fuck all they care about is money,

    i have picked out of my seed-box what all trees i will be planting in spring time or in summer i have them i got them from around here where i live they are in the none native list of plants and trees and i will be planting them because they are native to here i'll be planting flowers to Asclepiadaceae and butterfly-weed-flowers,

    i find doing this much much better then building more roads and cutting down trees to build houses and apartments that we don't even need, these people plant plants and trees where later on they will be cut down they plant them in wrong spots where they shouldn't be they plant them in between roads which they should not be their and some wonder why the trees bark is split have a look, look where its growing next to a road in a small circle where less water gets to the roots on the side of a road where it can be damaged if i was the people planting these i would plant them in a more safer place than by a road or in between roads this just shows how unsmart they all are.

    and if my place can keep bringing more none native things here i can plant stuff that is native to here and i will.

    and i have told these people and it seems they just don't care they plant stuff for the looks not trying to help the earth if they did they would plant stuff in a more better place don't you think.

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  • I've said it before and i'll say it again. There's no skill in animal hunting, hunt people!

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  • Avant-Garde

    You make a good point, OP. Hunting is very regulated all ready depending on where you live. It's a curious matter regardless of the prey's "nationality". I have read stories on the disasters from letting foreign animals invade on foreign eco-systems. Hunting could potentially be a good answer to this as well as tightening laws to try to prevent such dangers from occurring. There could be a negative view on this from society who would most likely try to protest. On the other hand, "eco-system invasion" might have some benefits: the animals naturally there could learn to adapt or could end up breeding with the "invader" to create a brand new species. I hope I'm making sense with this....

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    • You are making perfect sense.
      Some things to consider:
      A determination needs to be made between what is an exotic specie and what is an exotic and invasive (or potentially invasive) specie.
      Hunting and other regulations sometimes protects exotic and invasive species.
      Some so-called animal rights activists, actively promote the spread of some of these exotic and invasive species.
      Genetic hybridization is often harmful to wild populations, such as between Domestic Cattle (Bos primigenius) and American Bison (Bison bison) or between plants, such as between White Mulberry (Morus alba) and Red Mulberry (Morus rubra), now almost all genetically swamped by the former.

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  • drumandpickchick

    In our state you can shoot rabbits in the desert on certain days. They also do a good job trying to keep the spreading of zebra muscles from boats to lakes. When you go fishing they will have 'wanted' posters for certain fish. It will tell you to kill them and do not put them back in the water. I think they do a good job in my state with trying to control invasive species. They make it eveyone's responsibility in order to make the outdoors experience enjoyable for eveyone. You have to share responsibility if you want to have fun, catch big fish or tag a big buck!

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  • FocoUS

    Hunting is pretty well regulated.

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  • Shackleford96

    Oh yes, a tree makes for a very difficult prey indeed...

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  • howaminotmyself

    Hunting for invasive plants? Count me in. Damn you English Ivy!

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    • cigs

      i have been in a long time on this matter.

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  • wigsplitz

    There's typically pretty strict laws regarding what you can hunt and when. There's already a lot of thought and a lot of people working on the issues you bring up, just check your state's DEC (if you're in the US).

    Hunters like to hunt, period. They may have a favorite, but when it comes down to it, people who like to hunt, like to hunt no matter what they're hunting. I's a sport.

    When a species becomes overpopulated, usually they will come up with a management plan. The latest one here where I am has been a bobcat or mountain lion, I can't recall. People want to hunt them for the sport of it and for their hides.

    Hunting and fishing are so different you can't bunch them in together.

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    • That's exactly what i'm saying, they are hunting bobcats and mountain lions, which are both native species in many places of North America, while there are many feral domestic cats running around, and these often cause problems for native wild species.

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      • cigs

        ? how do they exactly i would like to know.

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      • wigsplitz

        So you're talking about house cats?? I don't get it. You don't have to hunt them they pretty much just get slaughtered if they're causing that much of a problem.

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        • Please read this. They are even more of a problem in other places, such as Pacific islands and New Zealand.

          http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ovusferalcats.htm

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          • wigsplitz

            OK, well here if the cat belongs to someone, the can be arrested if the cat is not neutered or spayed and is roaming, and also if their cat causes damage....the owner is held responsible...but if it's just some cat, then there's no law against killing it as long as you're not cruel about it or no one finds out, if you are cruel.

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