47 roads. They lived free from interaction with many humans. One of the many reasons today that many of these species still face extinction is due to hunting. Some species have been brought very close to extinction due to it, like the white-tailed deer, and many others have been brought to extinction sadly.2 Hunting has had a tremendous effect on the wildlife of the Fox River bioregion. Hunting. Today it’s kind of a gray area on its purpose in society, and if it should even still be allowed. Many hunt just for the killing, while others hunt for the food that they can gain. Many argue that we do not need to hunt anymore due to our lack of food scarcity. Let’s start with the beginning of hunting in the Fox River. The hunting of animals first started when Native Americans arrived in the area over 10,000 years ago. With the Fox River sitting in between the Mississippi River and Great Lakes, it was a great place to settle.3 The first Native Americans to arrive had access to a lot of food, water, decent climate, and diverse animals. It also had access to lots of rivers in which to travel freely. It was a sensible and clear place to live within. Hunting of course was plentiful in the area. Hundreds of deer and many other species that were perfectly suited for so many uses lived in the Fox River. They could be found year-round, had enough meat to feed people, and would be utilized for many different components.4 Hunting was the main source of food for the indigenous tribes of the area. Every part was used as well, with little waste being the standard. There was very little effect on the animal populations due to hunting.5 Not being nearly as efficient as it is today, preservation was not as common of an option unlike today. Instead, they hunted for what they needed to survive. 2 Webb, Kent. “Estimated U.S. Deer Population, 1450 to 2016 Year 2000 to 2016 ...” Accessed November 14, 2022. 3 Low, John N., and John N. Low. “Video: The Power of Place: The Indigenous Peoples of Northeastern Illinois & the Fox River Valley’ Lecture.” 4 “Traditional Animal Foods of Indigenous Peoples of Northern North America.” Deer | Traditional Animal Foods of Indigenous Peoples of Northern North America - Animals - Mammals - Hoofed Mammals. Accessed December 14, 2022. http://traditionalanimalfoods.org/mammals/hoofed/page.aspx?id=6133. 5 Low, John N., and John N. Low. “Video: The Power of Place: The Indigenous Peoples of Northeastern Illinois & the Fox River Valley’ Lecture.”
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