When a Minnesota dentist killed a prized African lion named "Cecil," he received a wave of criticism and reignited the hunting debate. For many people, hunting is a cruel and inhumane act. For others, hunting is a sport and a lifestyle. Is hunting ethical? Should the hunt be allowed to continue? First of all, what is hunting? According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, hunting is a “sport involving the seeking, tracking, and killing of wild animals and birds, called game and feathered game, primarily in modern times with firearms but also with bow and arrows” (“hunting”). I firmly believe that most hunting should absolutely be allowed to continue and that it should also be supported. My first reason for being pro-hunting is population control. Hunting is a legitimate and ethical method to prevent the overpopulation of wild populations and their inevitable extinction. According to the Department of Natural Resources, “deer-related and vehicle accidents have decreased by more than fifty percent due to managed hunting programs in parts of Montgomery County, Virginia, and throughout the United States” (Hotton). The anti-hunting group PETA proposes alternative methods such as sterilization. According to a PETA article, “if females are captured, marked, and counted, sterilization reduces herd size” (PETA). Two sterilization methods can be used. The first method is surgical sterilization. The way this happens is by removing parts of the reproductive system. The problem is that “this method is extremely expensive, it can cost up to $1,000 per deer” (“Deer Control”). The second method is “oviduct ligation” (“Deer Control”). "This method is effective, but very expensive and creates a lot of stress... middle of paper... a slaughterhouse." PBS. PBS, March 31, 2002. Web. February 23, 2012.PVCI “PVCI.” Web. May 3, 2012. Ramsey, P.S. "Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues, Revised Edition. Craig W. Allin, 2nd ed. Oct. 6, 2011. "Tradition." Dictionary.com. Web May 3, 2012. .CBS News "Pink Slime in Flesh grind: What's the big deal?" " Community Economic Development [CED] Professionals in Canada, vol 4, no. 3. Web 02 May 2012.