Hunting and hunters have been part of human nature since the dawn of time. Some may say that it is through this activity that we became highly efficient and intellectual animals and therefore 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 weigh in on what hunters and hunting mean to them. The authors discuss the important concerns about how hunting leads to the extinction of animals and thus harms the ecosystem, why we hunt and how this connects us to nature, why hunting should be accepted and propose solutions to address issues of discrimination and conservation. The belief that “hunting leads to animal extinction” has a few twists and turns. Although Jane Goodall notes that "the wildlife trade destroys the process of natural selection", stating: "We allow 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 actually helps conserve the ecosystem. She claims that “our appetite [hunting] is causing extinction.” Mike Lapierre argues that hunters are conservationists who seek to protect and maintain wildlife habitats. “Every year, millions of dollars are spent on hunters for wildlife management” (Lapierre). Thanks to this financial support and the help of organizations like Ducks Unlimited, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever and the National Wild Turkey Federation, hunters have contributed to the protection and management of wildlife (Lapierre). Management is their ultimate goal. Because...... middle of paper......Background. Internet. July 17, 2014. Levy, Sharon. “Hunting plays a crucial role in maintaining natural habitats and the environment.” Hunting. Ed. Dawn Laney. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Views. Rep. from “A Plague of Deer”. Bioscience 56.9 (September 2006): 718-721. Opposing viewpoints in context. Internet. July 22, 2014. Clark, Ward M. “Hunting is a Natural, Ethical, and Healthy Endeavor.” " Hunting. Ed. Dawn Laney. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Views. Rep. from “Why Hunt?” www.wildfowling.co.uk. 2004. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Internet. July 20, 2014. Goodall, Jane. “Hunting contributes to the extinction of animal species.” Hunting. Ed. Dawn Laney. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Views. Rep. of “The wildlife trade is driving species to extinction”. International Herald Tribune October 13, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Internet. July 20 2014.