I just gave a speech about 2 weeks ago on hunting. Here's a few of the key points and facts I pulled out of my outline.

Introduction

I. Violent, unnecessary, slaughtered, maimed, decimating, suffering, outraged, and destructive and all words used in the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal's (PETA's) Hunting fact sheet found at (Peta.org)

II. It's pretty clear that powerful and descriptive words like these are used in order to trigger a person's emotional responses naturally associated with that word, not provoke rational thinking. In fact, the same website promotes animal rights activists to "spread deer repellent or human hair (from barber shops) near hunting areas" in order to deter hunting. While in many states, including Illinois, that is a violation of Hunter Interference Prohibition Acts, thus making it illegal.

III. Contrary to many people's beliefs, hunting is not a violent, destructive, or unnecessary sport. Hunting has been a part of our heritage for hundreds of years and it plays many vital roles in our society today, despite the abundance of negative press it receives from animal rights groups.

IV. Tonight I will educate you on the roles hunting plays not just through it's environmental impacts, but through the impact upon the people who enjoy an activity as old as the country we live in.

a. 23, 645 deer hit by cars in IL in 2001 (il.dnr)
b. 45, 000 deer hit by cars in WI in 2002 (wis.dnr)

Crop/Environmental Damage
a.According to the article Controlling Deer Damage found at Missouri.edu, " Hunting programs are among the most effective damage control techniques" (aces.edu)

D. Giving back to the community/environment.
1. Proceeds from sales go to help environmental programs
a. A portion of all sales of hunting licenses and equipment goes to sponsor government programs to conserve, protect, and restore wildlife habitat.

b. In 2001, people spent 1.9 billion dollars on wildlife recreational activities. Expenses included gear, food, lodging, and licenses. (census.gov)

c. Each year, nearly $200 million in hunters' federal excise taxes are distributed to State agencies to support wildlife management programs, the purchase of lands open to hunters, and hunter education and safety classes. (fws.gov)

2. Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry
a. 11.2 million meals donated since 1997 (fhfh.org)

I have more but they're at home in a text document I was using for notes. Those are just the ones I used in my speech.