Different types of hunting

There are many different types of hunting — essentially, hunting is the act of searching for something with the intent to capture or kill. There is definitely evidence of humans using spears to hunt large animals over 500,000 years ago, but our ancestors may have been hunting for millions of years.

What motivates people to hunt? People may hunt to obtain animal products for personal consumption or for sale. Hunting can be recreational or might have cultural significance. Additionally, hunting serves as a mechanism for wildlife management and can play an important role in conservation efforts.

Traditional Hunting

Not so long ago, hunting was essential for survival, providing food, clothing, and materials for tools. Traditional methods of hunting vary greatly across the world:

• Aboriginal Australians used boomerangs.
• Inuit used harpoons.
• Indigenous people in Southern Africa used pitfalls.
• Members of the Matis tribe used blowguns.
• In Europe, they used hunting dogs and falconry.

Over time, hunting evolved from a necessity to a recreational and cultural practice. Hunting can be deeply rooted in traditional practices, and so it can often serve as an important way to connect with one’s heritage and identity.

Different Types of Game

Animals that are being hunted are often referred to as “game” and are usually separated into two categories: big game and small game.

Hunting for Big Game

Big game hunting is the hunting of large animals. Animals that are considered “big game” weigh more than 40 pounds. This includes animals like bears, cougars, deer, giraffes, feral hogs, etc.

Hunting for Small Game

You guessed it — small game hunting is the hunting of small animals. Animals that are considered “small game” weigh less than 40 pounds. This includes animals like rabbits, squirrels, coyotes, badgers, etc. (as well as birds).

Hunting for Birds

Bird hunting is a type of small game hunting, although it is often considered distinct. The birds can be further separated into two categories: upland birds and waterfowl. Upland birds are typically terrestrial (ptarmigans, grouse, turkeys, etc.) while waterfowl are–wait for it–usually found around water (geese, ducks, swans, etc.).

Different Types of Hunting

Hunting for Subsistence

Subsistence hunting is the hunting animals for one’s essential needs. There are still communities across the world that rely on hunting for their food and livelihood. This often comes with cultural component.

Hunting for Sport

Recreational hunting is hunting for entertainment — the challenge, the competition, the enjoyment. Unlike subsistence hunting, this type of hunting is not about survival. Recreational hunting can play an important role in wildlife management, and just because the hunting is recreational, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the animal goes to waste afterwards.

Trophy Hunting

Trophy hunters are people who hunt for the purpose of collecting “trophies”. Trophies are animals (or parts of animals) that are hunted and kept for display. Trophies can range from full taxidermy mounts to just the head, horns, fur, etc.

Trophy animals are typically big animals that are challenging to hunt (and can often be hard to get a tag for). They come with prestige and that is what makes them desirable.

The Big 5

The Big 5 are considered the most dangerous and most difficult animals to hunt in Africa. This includes:

• Lions
• Elephants
• Rhinos
• Leopards
• African buffalo

Hunting for Sale

Hunting for sale is hunting to obtain animal products for commercial purposes. There are many reasons for this. Bears, tigers, and rhinos are often hunted to make traditional medicines. Crocodiles are hunted to make leather products. Other animals, like mink, may be hunted for their fur.

Varminting

Hunting for varmint (or varminting) is hunting for the sake of pest control. In this case, these animals are hunted because they are a nuisance; they might do things like kill other animals, destroy crops, damage infrastructure, or spread disease. Examples of varmint include animals like skunks, rats, snakes, coyotes, gophers — as well as animals that are considered to be an invasive species.

Predator Hunting

Predator hunting is a type of varmint hunting. Specifically, this type of hunting is intended to control predator populations. A predator is an animal that kill other animals. This could be species such as mountain lions, feral hogs, foxes, etc.

Hunting Off-Land

We have mostly discussed hunting terrestrial animals, but you can hunt aquatic animals too. Whaling, sealing, and fishing are all different types of water-based hunting activities. Many of these pursuits are associated with commercial hunting (and with the ethical issues that accompany them). However, these types of hunting activities also have a lot of cultural significance.

Different Types of Hunting Methods

Once you find the animal, you need to kill the animal. Hunters may use:

• Firearms
• Bow, crossbow
• Blade
• Spear
• Harpoon
• Slingshot
• Blowgun
• Boomerang
• Fishing rod
• Net
• Traps
• Other animals (hunting dogs, falconry)

Regardless of what method you choose, it is very important that you are proficient before you start hunting (and that you choose the appropriate ammunition for your target, if using a firearm). The goal should always be to kill the animal in the quickest way possible with the least amount of suffering. If you want to be an ethical hunter, you need to practice.

Have I forgotten anything? Let me know below!