Hunting

:This article is about the hunting of prey by human society. For other uses of the word "hunting", see Hunting (disambiguation). "Hunter" and "huntress" redirect here; for other uses of these words, see Hunter (disambiguation) and Huntress (disambiguation).

History

In ancient societies, before the widespread domestication of animals, hunting was generally vital for survival as part of the hunter-gatherer way of life. For most humans before the development of agriculture, hunting would have provided an important source of protein to augment the foraged plants and vegetables that made up the majority of their diet. In addition, animal hides were used for clothing and shelters. The earliest hunting weapons would have included rocks, the Atlatl and bow and arrows.

Related Topics:
Hunter-gatherer - Agriculture - Hide - Atlatl - Bow - Arrow

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Even when animal domestication became relatively widespread, hunting was usually a significant contributor to the food supply available to a population. In addition, animal parts such as hides and horns were utilized in clothing and tools, and not all of these products could be provided from the domestication of animals. The importance of hunting in ancient societies is represented by religious figures such as Cernunnos, the Horned God.

Related Topics:
Animal domestication - Cernunnos

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hunter-gathering cultures existed along-side agrarian societies with whom they traded. This did not always result in a cultural transtition from hunting-gathering to agrarian domestication. Also, in chilly climates, the hides or furs of animals would be used as clothing (see trapping). The Inuit peoples in the Artic could produce complicated parkas consistingy of up to 60 stitched pieces capable of with-standing sub-zero temperatures. From the skins of sea mammals they produced, and still produce, water-proof kayaks, clothing, gloves and footwear.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

With domestication of the dog, birds of prey and the ferret, various forms of animal-aided hunting developed including venery (scent hound hunting, such as fox hunting), coursing (sight hound hunting), falconry and ferreting. These are all associated with medieval hunting.

Related Topics:
Dog - Birds of prey - Ferret - Scent hound - Fox hunting - Sight hound - Falconry - Medieval hunting

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Specialization and Hunting for Sport

As hunting moved from a strictly necessary activity for survival to one of many staples of society, two trends emerged. One was that of the specialist hunter - a position previously held by just about every able-bodied male (usually) in the society. As domesticated farming and herding took hold, hunting became one of many trades to be pursued by those with the necessary training.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The other trend was the emergence of hunting as a sport. As game became more of a luxury than a necessity, the pursuit of it could equally well be considered a luxury pursuit.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hunting in North America in the 1800s was done primarily as a way to supplement food supplies. The safari method of hunting was a development of sport hunting that saw elaborate travel in Africa, India and other places in pursuit of trophies. In modern times, trophy hunting persists, but is frowned upon when it involves rare or endangered species of animal. Other people also object to trophy hunting in general because it is seen as a senseless act of killing another living thing for recreation, rather than food.

Related Topics:
Safari - Trophy hunting - Endangered

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the 1800s southern and central European hunters often pursued game only for a trophy, usually the head or pelt of an animal, to be displayed as a sign of prowess. The rest of the animal was often wasted. In contrast, in relatively scarcely populated northern Europe, hunting has remained the tradition of the common people, and still serves a purpose as a means of acquiring meat, although the standard of living does not require it; Eating game is generally considered a healthier and more ethical alternative to the exploitation of farmed animals. In the Nordic countries, hunting for trophies was, and still is frowned upon, but an impressive trophy is considered a bonus. This is perhaps the most common practice of modern hunters worldwide.

Related Topics:
1800s - Trophy - Nordic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In medieval Europe, it was common for upper-class families to claim the sole rights to hunt in certain areas of territory. Game in these areas was certainly used as a source of food and furs, often provided via professional huntsmen; but it was also expected to provide a form of recreation for the aristocracy. Furthermore, hunting provided practice in the skills of warfare. The importance of this proprietary view of game can be seen in the Robin Hood legends, in which one of the primary charges against the outlaws is that they "hunt the King's deer".

Related Topics:
Medieval - Europe - Aristocracy - Warfare - Robin Hood

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In later times, this aristocratic type of hunting lost its roots as a source of food and supplies, while retaining its nature as a sport.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~