| Shikar (India) | | | | although additional regulations are |
| During feudal and colonial epoch on the | | | | imposed by the federal government in the |
| Indian continent, hunting was a true | | | | case of migratory birds (such as ducks |
| 'regal sport' in the numerous princely | | | | and geese) and endangered species. These |
| states, as many (Maha)rajas, Nawabs | | | | regulations vary widely from state to |
| etcetera maintained a whole corps, | | | | state. These regulations govern the |
| attached to their court, of shikaris, | | | | areas, time periods, techniques and |
| i.e. native professional hunters. Since | | | | methods by which specific game animals |
| these had to be armed (not unlike the | | | | may be harvested. Some states make a |
| common lancer units; both could be | | | | distinction between protected species |
| mounted), they might also double as a | | | | and unprotected species (often varmints) |
| supplementary police corps or military | | | | for which there are no hunting |
| contingent; they would be headed by a | | | | regulations. Hunters of protected |
| master of the hunt, who might be styled | | | | species require a hunting license in all |
| Mir-shikar. Often these were recruited | | | | states, for which completion of a hunter |
| from the normally low-ranking local | | | | safety course is a pre-requisite |
| tribes (e.g. pre-Aryan Bhils in | | | | (although individuals over a certain age |
| Rajasthan's premier kingdom Mewar), | | | | may be grandfathered in). |
| because of their traditional knowledge | | | | Typically game animals are divided into |
| of environment, techniques etcetera, but | | | | several categories for regulatory |
| thus could be closer than most subjects | | | | purposes. Typical categories, along with |
| to the ruler, who would often hunt big | | | | example species, are as follows: |
| game (preferably the emperor of Asians | | | | Big Game: White-tail deer, Moose, Elk, |
| wildlife, the (Bengal) tiger) in | | | | Caribou, Bear, Big Horn Sheep |
| majestic style: on the back of an | | | | Small Game: Cottontail, Grey squirrel |
| elephant, often commandeering extra | | | | Furbearers: Red Fox, Mink |
| helpers as drivers to scare the game out | | | | Predators: Mountain Lion, Coyote |
| of the grass or jungle till it came | | | | Upland Game Birds: Grouse, Chukar, |
| within gun reach. As hunting was an | | | | Pheasant, Quail, Doves |
| important princely past-time, worthy | | | | Waterfowl: Mallard duck, Canada goose |
| hunting lodges were constructed (not | | | | Hunting big game typically requires a |
| unlike feudal Europe). | | | | "tag" for each animal harvested. Tags |
| After European guests of these princes | | | | must be purchased in addition to the |
| had enjoyed the honour of taking part in | | | | hunting license, and the number of tags |
| these elephant hunts, some colonial | | | | issued to an individual is typically |
| Sahibs started organizing their own, and | | | | limited. In cases where there are more |
| tiger numbers especially dwindled | | | | prospective hunters than the quota for |
| alarmingly. Later, independent republics | | | | that species, tags are usually assigned |
| and neighbouring Himalayan monarchies | | | | by lottery. Tags may be further |
| (as Nepal) acted to curb such massively | | | | restricted to a specific area or |
| disturbing 'expeditions', in the name of | | | | "wildlife management unit". Hunting |
| conservation, although the threat of | | | | migratory waterfowl requires a "duck |
| extirpation, and of extinction by | | | | stamp" from the United States Fish and |
| poaching remains real for many species | | | | Wildlife Service, which is similar in |
| and habitats. | | | | concept to a tag. |
| A safari (from Swahili word meaning a | | | | Harvest of animals other than big game |
| long journey) is an overland journey | | | | is typically restricted by a "bag limit" |
| (especially in Africa). | | | | and a "possession limit". A bag limit is |
| Safari as a distinctive way of hunting | | | | a maximum number of a specific animal |
| was popularized by US author Ernest | | | | species that an individual can harvest |
| Hemingway and president Theodore | | | | in a single day. A possession limit is a |
| Roosevelt. It is a several days or even | | | | maximum number of a specific animal |
| weeks-lasting journey and camping in the | | | | species that can be in an individual's |
| bush or jungle, while pursuing big game. | | | | possession at any time. |
| Nowadays, it's often used to describe | | | | Weapons used in hunting are also |
| tours through African national parks to | | | | typically regulated by game category, |
| watch or hunt wildlife. | | | | area within the state and time period. |
| Hunters are usually tourists, | | | | Regulations for big game hunting often |
| accompanied by professional local guide, | | | | specify a minimum caliber or muzzle |
| skinners and porters in more difficult | | | | energy for firearms. The use of rifles |
| terrains. A special safari type is the | | | | is often banned in areas with high |
| solo-safari where all the license | | | | population density or limited |
| acquiring, stalking, preparation and | | | | topographic relief. Specific seasons for |
| outfitting is done by the hunter | | | | bow hunting or muzzle-loading black |
| himself. Among trophy hunters, those who | | | | powder weapons are often established to |
| outfitted the safaris themselves would | | | | limit competition with hunters using |
| receive the greatest admiration. | | | | more effective weapons. |
| On the rise, even before integral | | | | Hunting in the United States is not |
| ecotourism was, is the animal-friendly | | | | associated with any particular class or |
| version known as photo-safari, where the | | | | culture. Current regulation of hunting |
| only shots aimed at wildlife come from | | | | within the United States goes back to |
| camera lenses. The synonym Bloodless | | | | the 1800's, and most modern hunters see |
| hunt for hunting with the use of film | | | | themselves as conservationists and |
| and a still photo camera was first used | | | | sportsmen, along the lines of Theodore |
| by the Polish photographer | | | | Roosevelt. The Boone and Crockett Club |
| W³odzimierz Puchalski. | | | | is an excellent example of this: founded |
| The most controversial form of hunting | | | | in 1887 to discourage commercial |
| in the United Kingdom is fox hunting. | | | | hunting, promote conservation and the |
| Originally a form of vermin control to | | | | "fair chase" ethic of hunting |
| protect livestock, it became a popular | | | | "individual animals in a manner that |
| social activity for the upper classes in | | | | conserves, protects, and perpetuates the |
| Victorian times, and a traditional rural | | | | hunted population." |
| activity for riders and foot followers | | | | Local hunting clubs and national |
| alike. The special rituals of the fox | | | | organizations provide hunter education |
| hunt and the controversy surrounding it | | | | and help protect the future of their |
| are addressed in the articles fox | | | | sport by buying land to set aside as |
| hunting and fox hunting legislation. | | | | habitat or by lobbying in Washington, |
| Some animal welfare supporters feel that | | | | D.C. and state capitals [2]. Two such |
| the suffering caused to foxes, horses | | | | private organizations are Ducks |
| and hounds are cruel and unnecessary, | | | | Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl. |
| whilst proponents argue that it is a | | | | Each year, nearly $200 million in |
| rural tradition, culturally and | | | | hunters' federal excise taxes are |
| economically important. | | | | distributed to State agencies to support |
| Similar to fox hunting in many ways is | | | | wildlife management programs, the |
| the chasing of hare with hounds. Sight | | | | purchase of lands open to hunters, and |
| hounds such as greyhounds may be used to | | | | hunter education and safety classes. |
| run down hare in coursing with scent | | | | Since 1934 the sale of Federal Duck |
| hounds such as beagles used for | | | | Stamps, a required purchase for |
| beagling, the hunting of hares on foot. | | | | migratory waterfowl hunters over 16 |
| Other sorts of foxhounds may also be | | | | years old, has raised over $700 million |
| used for hunting deer or mink. Using | | | | to help purchase more than 5.2 million |
| dogs to chase wild mammals in this way | | | | acres (20,000 km2) of habitat for the |
| was made illegal in February 2005 by the | | | | National Wildlife Refuge System lands |
| Hunting Act 2004. Hunting deer by foot | | | | that support waterfowl and many other |
| without hounds is called game stalking. | | | | wildlife species, and are often open to |
| The shooting of game birds, especially | | | | hunting. States also collect monies from |
| pheasant and grouse, is a popular sport | | | | hunting licenses to assist with |
| in the UK, with the British Association | | | | management of game animals, as |
| for Shooting and Conservation saying | | | | designated by law. A key task of Federal |
| that over a million people per year | | | | and state park rangers and game wardens |
| participate in shooting (including game | | | | is to enforce laws and regulations |
| shooting, clay shooting and target | | | | related to hunting, including species |
| shooting). The open season for grouse | | | | protection, hunting seasons, and hunting |
| famously begins on August 12, the | | | | bans. |
| so-called Glorious Twelfth. The | | | | Varmint hunting is an American phrase |
| definition of game in the United Kingdom | | | | for the killing of non-game animals seen |
| is governed by the Game Act 1831. | | | | as pests. While not an efficient form of |
| United States | | | | pest control (poisoning and trapping are |
| North American hunting predates the | | | | much more effective), it does provide |
| United States by thousands of years, and | | | | recreation and is much less regulated. |
| many Native American hunters retain key | | | | Varmint species are often responsible |
| hunting rights through legal treaty as | | | | for detrimental effects on crops, |
| part of a long, cultural tradition. In | | | | livestock, landscaping, infrastructure, |
| certain cases (such as the Marine Mammal | | | | and pets. Some animals (such as wild |
| Protection Act), Federal law provides | | | | rabbits or squirrels) may be utilized |
| explicit protection for Native American | | | | for fur or meat, but often no use is |
| hunting rights. This is particularly | | | | made of the carcass. Which species are |
| true in Alaska, where people still feed | | | | "varmints" depends on the circumstance |
| on sea and land mammals as well as fish | | | | and area. Common varmints include |
| and birds. It is common for rural Alaska | | | | various rodents, coyotes, crows, foxes, |
| Native communities to obtain 50-90% of | | | | feral cats, and feral hogs. Some animals |
| their daily protein from hunting. | | | | once considered varmints are now |
| Regulation of hunting is primarily | | | | protected, such as wolves. |
| performed by the individual states, | | | | |