Populations in Balance

Students consider the debate over hunting as a way of dealing with the overpopulation of deer in the United States. Initiate a class discussion prior to beginning the activity to prepare.

Paraphrase:

Today we are going to consider multiple points of view related to hunting. Obviously, these are two very different points of view on the issue of hunting!

Display and discuss the late 19th-century image of Native American hunting elk.

Students may not understand the word "barbaric" but they may recognize the word "barbarian."

Credit: Watercolor image by Alfred Jacob Miller "Hunting Elk" (1858–1860). Courtesy of Walters Art Museum.

Humans living with deer

Consider these two different points of view on hunting:

“Hunting is an important tradition
that helps the environment.”

“Killing animals for sport is barbaric.”

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Paraphrase:

Now we are going to consider some information about deer hunting in the United States.

Display and discuss slides.

Read the passage aloud to the class, focusing on the focus words used.

• native
• population
• interdependence
• disturbance
• recovery
• consumer
• producer
• predator
• prey

Photo credit: Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Nature Viewing. U.S. Forest Service of the USDA.

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Hunting—sport, tradition or barbarism?

A century ago, the deer population was endangered due to the environmental disturbances brought on by the development of cities and towns. In recent years, however, the deer population has increased dramatically. In fact, most native deer species in the United States have recovered.

Hunting advocates say that the recovery of the deer population is partly due to all the money that hunters pay in licenses and fees to be able to hunt. This money goes to local governments and is used to create safe habitats for native animals, like deer, to thrive.

Deer overpopulation in some areas can cause problems for humans who live in or near their habitat. Deer collisions with cars can cause serious injury. Deer can damage gardens and crops. Hunters argue that hunting helps with these problems by reducing the number of deer to a natural level. They say that if you care about helping native species, you should accept the role that hunting can play in their survival.

Other people believe that it is unnatural for humans to hunt at all. They point out that when a tiger preys on a wild boar in nature, it does not need a shotgun. They say that the argument that it is natural for humans to hunt makes no sense at all. Still others think that hunting is moral only if you consume the animal that you kill.

Display and discuss slide.

Paraphrase:

Here is a spectrum that shows simplified positions at each end. Most people in the U.S. would take a position somewhere between the two extremes. Jayden and Mya are two seventh graders who found their place on the spectrum by thinking carefully about the issue.

Look at the positions held by Jayden and Mya. What's your own place on this spectrum?

What do you think?

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Paraphrase:

Now let's discuss a few questions in a small group before writing down our ideas.

Encourage students to use an authoritative stance backed up by evidence to support a claim. Remind them to use the focus words in their summary.

Write about your position

Discuss the issue with your neighbors, then write your position as Mya and Jayden have done.

Why do you hold the position that you hold?

What kinds of evidence or arguments might move you in one direction or the other?

Use the focus words; they can help you make a better argument.

native • population • interdependence • disturbance • recovery

consumer • producer • predator • prey