Wisconsin Hunter's Safety Practice Exam

Why is predator hunting sometimes encouraged?

1. To challenge hunters' skills

2. To assist in maintaining a balanced ecosystem

3. To reduce the number of hunters in the field

4. Predator meat is highly valued

The correct answer is: To assist in maintaining a balanced ecosystem

Encouraging predator hunting plays an important role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Predators, while essential for controlling the populations of various prey species, can sometimes become overly abundant themselves, leading to imbalances. This overpopulation can result in a decline in prey species, which can have cascading effects on the ecosystem as a whole. By regulating predator populations through hunting, wildlife management helps ensure that both predator and prey species can coexist sustainably. This practice ultimately contributes to the health of the ecosystem, promoting biodiversity and preventing overgrazing or overbrowsing by prey animals.