I think that’s a whole other follow-up article! But really, knowing the predominant audience of this site, I took a few liberties with some assumptions with this piece. Most importantly, I took it somewhat for granted that most people on this site would appreciate the important connections between hunting and trapping and conservation (on many levels, including historical, political, social-cultural, and environmental). So when I talk about the impact of anthropomorphism on conservation, and particularly the ability of the public to evaluate and support potential conservation policies and actions, I’m including hunting, trapping, and angling under that umbrella of conservation.
I think your point is important though, that there is a more direct conversation about the impact of anthropomorphism on hunting by way of its use in anti-hunting campaigns. I allude to that in the article when I make reference to the deliberate uses of anthropomorphism. It is certainly one of the tools in the anti-hunting toolbox. By blurring the very real ecological differences between humans and wildlife, anti-hunting campaigns use anthropomorphism to confuse and encourage people to act on emotion rather than logic or science.
I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts too, Mark.