Wolf hunting is the practice of hunting wolves. Wolves are mainly hunted for sport, for their skins, to protect livestock and, in some rare cases, to protect humans. The threat wolves posed to both livestock and people was considered significant enough to warrant the conscription of whole villages under threat of punishment, despite the disruption of economic activities and reduced taxes. Most people see it as cruel , unnecessary and based on misconceptions, while proponents argue that it is vital for the conservation of game herds and as pest control.
In the sixth century BC, the first wolf bounty was reportedly opened when Solon of Athens offered five silver drachmas to any hunter for killing any male wolf, and one for every female. In Ancient Rome, the treatment given to wolves differed from the treatment meted out to other large predators. The Romans generally seem to have refrained from intentionally harming wolves.
For instance, they were not hunted for pleasure but only in order to protect herds that were out at pasture , and not displayed in the venationes , either. The special status of the wolf was not based on national ideology, but rather was connected to the religious importance of the wolf to the Romans.
In England of , King Athelstan imposed an annual tribute of wolf skins on Welsh king Hywel Dda , an imposition which was maintained until the Norman conquest of England. William the Conqueror granted the lordship of Riddesdale in Northumberland to Robert de Umfraville on condition that he defend that land from enemies and wolves. It is known that wolves survived in Scotland up until the 18th century. Official records indicate that the last Scottish wolf was killed by Sir Ewan Cameron in Ireland throughout most of the first half of the 17th century had a substantial wolf population of not less than and may be as high as wolves at any one time.
Although the Irish hunted wolves, it is evident from documentary data that they did not see the same need as the English to exterminate the wolves. Although wolves were perceived as threats, they were nonetheless seen as natural parts of the Irish landscapes. The level of rewards and bounties established by Oliver Cromwell 's regime after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland — attracted a few professional wolf hunters to Ireland, mostly from England.
