Which term refers to the act of taking or killing wildlife?

The term that refers to the act of taking or killing wildlife is indeed hunting. This term encompasses both the pursuit and the act of killing animals for various purposes, including food, sport, or management of wildlife populations. Hunting is often regulated by laws and regulations to ensure wildlife populations remain sustainable and ecosystems balanced. This activity has a long history and is deeply embedded in many cultures around the world.

While trapping, gathering, and catching may involve interactions with wildlife, they do not specifically denote the act of killing. Trapping refers more to capturing animals using devices designed for that purpose, which could be for relocation or control. Gathering may imply collecting resources from nature but does not specifically relate to wildlife and typically involves non-living resources. Catching can refer to capturing animals but doesn't necessarily imply that those animals are killed. Therefore, hunting is the most accurate term for the act of taking or killing wildlife.