Cavemen hunted woolly mammoths, Indians hunted buffalo. In any time period a person can think of, there is always something that was very popular to hunt. Hunting began as a way of life for many early Americans. Hunting put food on the table and provided clothing and tools for the first Americans. Lately, however, hunting has changed for many Americans. It has become more of a sport than a lifestyle and for this reason it is a very controversial topic. Sport hunting is not all bad, but many people have started to abuse it. Now there is poaching, street hunting and out-of-season killings. Hunting advocates say hunting is an important component of managing wildlife populations. However, hunting opponents argue that more hunting regulations are needed to prevent animals from being hunted to extinction. Recently, the most controversial issues that have emerged regarding hunting include: wolf populations in northern states, hunting on wildlife refuges, and hunting endangered animals. Hunting should absolutely not be banned or controlled due to controversy in these areas. Since the early 2000s, the wolf population in the northern states has become a major debate. Many want wolves to stay because of their history and the importance they have to Indians. The Indians believed that the wolf signified magic and brought self-confidence, endurance and keen intelligence. While many ranchers and farmers want the wolves to go away. They cause stress in their livestock and wolves also kill many of the younger animals for food. A local Minnesota farmer said, “I like critters, don't get me wrong, but wolves have outlived their time. City folk don't realize that the beef in the cellophane wrapper comes from... middle of paper... bird populations. This refuge is nationally known for waterfowl hunting due to the many ponds on the refuge. “Hunting, trapping and fishing are considered by many to be a legitimate and traditional recreational use of renewable natural resources. The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, other laws, and Fish and Wildlife Service policy permit hunting on a national wildlife refuge when it is compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established and acquired. ” (“Why is hunting, fishing, and trapping allowed on national wildlife refuges?”) Because most refuges were established to preserve wildlife, it is legal to hunt within them. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also states that “as practiced in refuges, hunting, trapping and fishing do not pose a threat to wild populations and, in some cases, are actually necessary to