Caring for Wildlife Through the Hunt

When people hear the word “hunting,” they often imagine something cruel. But as someone who hunts, I see it completely differently. To me, hunting isn’t about taking a life: it’s about understanding it, respecting it, and keeping nature in balance.  

In Michigan, deer are everywhere. Without natural predators, their populations grow fast. And while that might sound nice, it actually causes real problems: more car crashes, damaged crops, and forests stripped of plants that other animals need to survive. Hunting helps keep the population healthy. It’s not random or reckless…biologists set limits and seasons every year to make sure deer herds stay strong and stable. 

“It’s ethical because, especially around here, there’s not really a lot of things hunting deer,” Jeremiah Willis, 10 said. “And if people don’t hunt them, they will overpopulate and build disease, and they’ll all die out.”

I also believe hunting is one of the most honest ways to get food. When I hunt, I know exactly where my meat comes from. It’s not wrapped in plastic from a factory, it’s local, clean, and treated with respect. 

“I think hunting deer is definitely ethical, because… first, it’s how we feed ourselves in my house, at least. We eat deer meat all the time. Venison, technically,” Jeremiah said.

People who don’t hunt sometimes think us hunters do it just for fun, or for the trophies. And while it is enjoyable, the truth is most hunters care deeply about the animals. We practice to make clean, quick shots, and we follow every rule and regulation. There’s a lot of thought and preparation that goes into doing it right. 

For me, being in the woods before sunrise, listening to the world wake up, reminds me how connected everything is. Hunting teaches patience, gratitude, and respect for life. It’s not just ethical…it’s necessary, both for the environment and for the understanding it gives us of the natural world. 

Hunting doesn’t take away from nature; it keeps it in balance. And when done the right way, it’s one of the most respectful things a person can do.