You're right on that first part, I've only hunted what were essentially tame deer on a small island. Very much a "harvest" situation for a years worth of sausage.
I've no moral pangs about a burger, but I don't go championing myself for manliness in eating one, either. My issue isn't with hunting in general, it's with folks that think they are hot **** for shooting an animal just for the trophy of it. It's so wildly juvenile to think you've bested nature by shooting a polar bear or elephant or jaguar for sport. The technological advantage is so stupefying that it's a surprise these same guys aren't showing off their store bought jeans like "hey y'all, I domesticated cotton!"
I am not a hunter of animals, only a casual fisherman 1 or 2 times a year. But the stance you're taking is illogical and incomplete. I would assume many hunters like the challenge of a hunt, not the safari-led, rover-ridden, photo-op trophy hunt in Africa for a lion or whatever. But with more and more data coming out that exhorts the benefits of controlled, limited trophy hunts, I'm less inclined to view the guy killing a lion as a bad man. I'm not particularly fond of unsportman hunting, but those instances are few and far between (whaling, for example).
That said, hopefully it gives you a perspective on my opinions, and I'm sure you know about the variety of hunting available. Guns, bows, spears, etc. I believe firearm hunting is more humane to the animals than others because I think it's a quick kill. I've heard stories of bowhunters that have to track a wounded animal miles, and/or days. Less challenging, yes. Technological advantage? Hardly. The argument "hunters have advantages over animals" is the same argument as "the cop should have aimed for the guy's hand or leg instead of killing that guy."
Firearms and other weapons even the biological playing field. Humans are weak and fragile in comparison to animals that are routinely hunted. Humans lack the strength, endurance, and muscle reactions to combat animals with nothing but our hands. Even knives. Obviously we lack claws, antlers, thick hides, and camouflaged fur. Animals have better hearing, smell, and in some cases, sight. They live outside 24/7/365 without the aid of a The North Face Parka or Sorels or a house. So where is the human advantage? Our brains and ability to harness industrial production. And opposable thumbs.
Hunters also get attacked by other wildlife as well. There just was a grizzly attack on a pair of bowhunters who were tracking elk. So I think it's highly disingenuous to say that hunters have distinct advantages over wildlife.
I'm not sure if it is an over the counter tag, or a guaranteed draw hunt, but look into the Unlimited Sheep Hunt in Montana. Still time to get in there before the snow. It's a hunt that will make you switch religions 6 times if you get out there for 10 days. PM me for more info if you can get a tag.
Even if I was a hunter, that's a big nope. I ain't camping in the woods in grizzly land. Hell no.
Not extreme and not hunting, but there are ranchers that need to eradicate the prairie dog infestation. One of my buddies helped a rancher out. Just a better version of Whack-a-Mole.