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The range of animal species hunted by humans varies in different parts of the world. This is influenced by climate, faunal diversity, popular taste and locally accepted views about what can or cannot be legitimately hunted. In some countries, game is classified, including legal classifications with respect to licenses required, as either “small game” or “large game”. A single small game licence may cover all small game species and be subject to yearly bag limits.
Some of these animals are endangered or otherwise protected, and thus it is illegal to hunt them. In Africa, animals hunted for their pelts or ivory are sometimes referred to as big game. Also see the legal definition of game in Swaziland. South Africa is a famous destination for game hunting, with its large biodiversity and therefore impressive variety of game species.
Many creatures have returned to former areas from which they were once taken as a result of being killed for big-game hunting. In the United States and Canada, white-tailed deer are the most commonly hunted big game. In the PRC there is a special cuisine category called ye wei, which includes animals in the wild. In the UK game is defined in law by the Game Act 1831.
It is illegal to shoot game on Sundays or at night. Other non-game birds that are hunted for food in the UK are specified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Capercaillie are not currently hunted in the UK because of a recent decline in numbers and conservation projects towards their recovery. Moose hunting season in October is close to a national pastime.
Boar in Denmark and southern Sweden. Once hunted to extinction, boars were re-introduced in the late 20th century and are now considered a pest by farmers, but an asset by hunters. This section needs additional citations for verification. A kitchen interior with a maid and a lady preparing game, c. Game meat is typically taken from a wild animal that has been shot with a gun or bow. Hunters must be absolutely certain of their target before shooting and should make every effort to get the animal down as quickly and painlessly as possible. Once obtained, game meat must be processed to avoid spoiling.