In ancient times, hunting is the basic prerequisite for survival. Ones reputation may depend upon how well one can hunt. Ancient warriors were measured upon their ability to bring food to their villagers. Hunting did not serve only as the means of food but also for the means of clothing.
Animal hides were used to make clothes for the villagers. The earliest types of hunting weapons were spears. Depending upon the era, the structure of the spear may also vary. From wooden to stone tips until the much evolved metal tipped versions, the spear has served much of its purpose in the early years of hunting. The other types of weapon would be the melee weapons like the sword or the dagger.
These types of weapons though come in handy when finishing off the kill since one can't just sneak behind an unaware elk and use the weapon. Bows and arrows came in later to do what the spear can't.
The spear might require a powerful hand for it to be thrown in distances, the bow and arrow on the other hand would just require accuracy of the shooter and arrows can be reloaded conveniently unlike the spear which is a one time use only until you retrieve it. Guns came into the picture later on.
Hunting as a sport was done by the noble men in the middle ages. This type of activity was only for the privileged classmen but soon the middle class also adopted the sport.
In some regions of the planet, hunting is still one of the major keys of survival until today. Some countries which cannot maintain agricultural stability because of climate or the type of soil it has venture into this type of survival scheme.
In the United States hunting has not been associated with class since the sport has propagated in such a way that hunting clubs were organized to cater to the sport. Trainings for hunters are usually done in individual hunting clubs.
A hunting license is needed to hunt in most of the territories of hunting lands. The proper gear and equipment is also a vital requirement for hunters to ensure safety and protection. The animals which are hunted are also part of the rules of modern day hunting. Clubs do not permit the take down of endangered species for the reasons of preservation and or the balance of the habitat.
