Why is fishing more socially acceptable than hunting?

[Anonymous]

I'm both an avid fisherman and expierenced bowhunter. I've read that in the US, around 75% of the population have a favorable stance on legal hunting and around 95% of the population have a favorable stance on legal fishing. I have my theories as to why there is a difference, but I want to know others opinions on this subject.

[jdoutworld]

Because its easier for people to stomach killing a slimy scaly cold fish.

Also fishing can be done without actually killing anything. Shoot something that's not really the case.

Not that I care really. I hunt and fish so I'm good.

[ImTheFMan]

The smarter the animal, the harder it is to accept hunting. Pigs are the exxeption, they're just too tasty to give up.

[Asker]

Praise bacon. But still even based on intelligence, there is a huge market for octopus. And I think those are some of the smartest animals behind primates, whales/dolphins, and crows/ravens.

[ImTheFMan]

Those animals also have too much personality. Where as it's hard to see the octopuses personality. I don't really know how intelligent octopuses really are though. All their movement, shapeshifting and camouflage are more to do with their nervous system. Like reflexes

[Gypsy_x]

I think it's partly because fish aren't seen as "human" as other animals, but also because fish are eaten, whereas a lot of animals that are hunted are not.

[Asker]

"A lot of animals that are hunted are not." I'm just curious where you got that claim.

[Gypsy_x]

Correct me if I am wrong, but beyond deer/elk (or roos in Australia), which hunted animals are eaten?

[Asker]

I'm mainly familiar with North American game animals, so besides deer and elk, bear, caribou, moose, ducks, turkey, pheasant, grouse, doves, mountain lion, coyote, in some states wolves, mountain goat, sheep, pig, fox, rabbit, squirrel, wolverine, other small game.
Not taking the meat from any game animal just really isn't heard of in any the US. Heck, even the game wardens I've talked to who've caught poachers said they tried taking the meat mainly.
The animals that I know of that aren't killed for their meat are elephants for their ivory, rhinos for their horns, and leopards and tigers for their skin. And I'm sure their are a number of other exotic animals that are killed for things other than their meat, but from what I know most places around the world, people hunt for meat.

[Gypsy_x]

What is done with bear, wolf, coyote, etc meat?

In Australia we have no hunting culture, so it is mostly barbaric to us unless its done by farmers.

[Asker]

Same as any other meat, you cook it. Usually well done, cause the predetor species are more prone to parasites.

Can't you hunt cat in Australia? Like feral cat that look like house cats.

[Gypsy_x]

Yes, if you have a licence. They're a est species and its usually done by farmers or the government.

[Asker]

I also know Australian buffalo has a pretty relevant following.

[Gypsy_x]

The hunting safaris are generally tourist attractions (esp Americans). Most Aussies don't even know its a thing. We just don't have a hunting culture.

[karahiri]

fish seem even further removed from humans than deer. fish aren't even mammals.

[Asker]

That was what I was thinking, because their less relatable. But at the end of the day, either way an animal dies so you or others can live.

[TheUglyMonk]

You can't hear the fish scream but you can hear the deer scream, mammals are more humanized than fish.

[Asker]

The word is anthropomorphic.

[TheUglyMonk]

Yes thank you.

[Anonymous]

Because fish aren’t cute and cuddly.