How to Make a Profit as a Hunter

One of the most exciting occupations for hunters in the United States is hunting and trapping wild animals, in their season, for the purpose of selling their pelts. Some people have the mistaken belief that the fur is the only part of the animal used in our society. Most often the whole animal is used. Animals caught by hunters and trappers are sold to fur buyers that prepare the fur for reselling. Many animals that are trapped are sold to a rendering industry where they produce soap, paint, textiles, and construction materials. Some hunters eat the meat of fur-bearing animals, just as others will eat beef and pork.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Obtain a license. Hunters and trappers must be licensed to hunt fur-bearers and other game. Check with your state's Department of Natural Resources or the Division of Fish and Wildlife to obtain licenses and find out the regulations and bag limits. Regulated hunts provide a healthy, economic and organic source of clothing and food with less impact to other resources.

2. Get an advantage. The deer hunter has an advantage over the animal in his weapon. No animal can run faster than a bullet. But most deer have the advantage over the hunter in other ways. They can run faster than a man, they know the woods better, and they can smell and hear much better than men can. A hunter must try to trick his deer in order to track it down so that he can get close enough to shoot. If the hunter doesn't want to track the deer he can make a tree stand and wait for the deer to come along the trail. He must take advantage of the wind to prevent the animal from locating him by smell.
   
   
   
   Use a smart weapon. The usual weapon of the hunter is a gun. Small-bore shotguns are usually used to hunt ground birds and also popular with rabbit and duck hunters. Heavy rifles are used for bigger game. Some deer hunters prefer to hunt with a bow and arrow.

3. Consider the types of hunting. There are almost as many kinds of hunting as there are kinds of game. The types of hunting vary in different places. Hunters usually seek out such game birds as pheasants, grouse, and quail in settled farm country. The fast-running rabbit makes good sport for the hunter on the prairies of the western United States. Men hunt for larger game such as elk, deer and bears in the forests. Duck hunting is popular in the fall where there are lakes and marshes.

4. Decide how you will hunt. Different kinds of hunting require different ways of hunting. Dogs are often used to hunt birds. Pointers and setters are used for searching out game that hides in bushes and tall grass. Coondogs are used to tree opossums in the southern states.

5. Take your kill in for money. There are many places around that offer money for the meat and furs of the animals that you bring in. Rabbits, turtles and deer are very popular types of meat that people will pay money to you for. After you have sold your goods, be sure to get receipts to make sure that you will have proof, in case of an audit at tax time.