Hunting and hunters have been part of human nature since the beginning of time. Some might argue that it is through this activity that we have evolved into highly efficient and intellectual animals and therefore into a culture. However, until recently, animal rights activists, conservationists, and non-hunters began to question and criticize the purpose of hunting. Mike Lapierre, Jane Goodall, Ward Clark and Sharon Levy share their thoughts on what hunters and hunting mean to them. The authors discuss important concerns about how hunting is leading to animal extinction and therefore damaging the ecosystem, the purpose of why we hunt and how it ties us to nature, why hunting should be accepted, and offer solutions to resolve the discrimination and retention issues. .The belief that “hunting leads to animal extinction” has some twists. Although Jane Goodall notes that “the wildlife trade is destroying the process of natural selection,” stating “We are enabling trophy hunting of the strongest, healthiest, most powerful animals, those who should lead their families and pass on their genes to future generations". are being eradicated,” others argue that hunting is actually helping to preserve the ecosystem. He states that “our appetite [for hunting] is causing extinction.” Mike Lapierre argues that hunters are conservationists seeking to protect and maintain wildlife habitats. “Each year, millions of hunter dollars are spent on wildlife management” (Lapierre). With this financial support and the help of organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, and the National Wild Turkey Federation, hunters have helped protect and manage wildlife (Lapierre). Managing is their ultimate goal. Because... middle of paper......Context. Network. July 17, 2014. Withdrawal, Sharon. “Hunting plays a crucial role in maintaining natural habitats and the environment.” On the hunt. Ed. Dawn Laney. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "The Plague of the Deer". Bioscience 56.9 (September 2006): 718-721. Opposing points of view in context. Network. July 22, 2014. Clark, Ward M. “Hunting is a Natural, Ethical, and Healthy Endeavor.” On the hunt. Ed. Dawn Laney. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Why Hunt?" www.wildfowling.co.uk. 2004. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Network. July 20, 2014. Well done, Jane. "Hunting contributes to the extinction of animal species." On the hunt. Ed. Dawn Laney. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "The wildlife trade is driving species to extinction." International Herald Tribune 13 October 2004. Opposing views in context. Network. July 20 2014.