Hunting and gathering are among the oldest economic activities known to humans. Early human societies depended on wild animals for food and used stone and wooden tools for hunting. People living in extreme climates (such as the Arctic and deserts) still practice hunting, but many species have become endangered due to poaching. Gathering involves collecting plant-based products like medicinal plants, rubber, resins, and wild fruits. However, modern economic systems have made synthetic alternatives more affordable, reducing the importance of gathering