Does hunting fit in the permaculture ethic? Land management

The more abundant the land the greater diversity in wild animals. For some that means bigger bucks, fatter turkeys, and trophy bears. For others it is a reservation to protect natural systems. Whether conservation, recreation, or feeding your family, the question is “Does hunting fit in permaculture ethic?”

What is the permaculture ethic?
1. Care of the earth.
2. Care of people.
3. Return of surplus.

Holistic land management focuses on creating a surplus of natural ecosystems. In most cases you’ll cultivate bigger and healthier wildlife, including game animals. However, there is a point where such abundance reaches a tipping point. Just like trees get pruned, animal populations need to be culled.

Yet, trees don’t have to be pruned. They can eventually grow too big, shade out everything around them, and eventually fall over. To be transparent, animal populations don’t need to be culled either, but they tend to get sick when land capacity cannot support the wildlife. That’s why hunting fits within a permaculture ethic.

To care for the earth every acre needs to stay within holding capacity for all living things. To care for people, they need food and game animals provide quality meats. Finally to return surplus you hunt within limits, prepare enhanced natural habitat, and maintain areas away from your home for wildlife corridors.

If you don’t like hunting it can be done by others as an income source to your property. As an animal population grows it will attract larger predators. The problem becomes your own livestock becoming food to what the natural population attracts. Bears, coyotes, foxes, possum, and many more will become pests rather than welcome guests.

Managing land the right way creates enough for everyone. Nature wants you to succeed. Hunting to harvest food, materials, and protect habitat is a part of human culture for thousands of years. When possible use all part of the animal, returning it’s carcass for compost too. Isn’t this the cycle of life that you are also a part?

While you queue up the next video, if you have five acres or more, then I’ve got a special gift for you. Learn more about permaculture design and holistic land management, plus free resources when you join us at https://www.ProsperityHomestead.org/newsletter/

#Hunting #Permaculture #Natural