Licensing came in I beleive to conserve what game we had left at the turn of the 20th century, becuase so many hunters were killing to kill, money and a host of other reason, if we had always conserved we probably wouldn't need to control them. ANd no you DO NOT need a license to buy a gun in this State. Only if you want to carry concealed. As a hunter who uses a bow I am happy to see we can now pack a pistol for self defense while hunting. gave us an inch while they were taking a mile didn't they. Also I think they felt compelled seeing how some were threatening to envoke the 2nd amendment on them over that one.
Back to licensing. Now if you were without a job and could not afford food for your family or a license would you still hunt? I would my family's( Wife & Kids) preservation is more important than any law.
And to bowhuntin's point you are correct just because you have a right does not mean you have the right to expect someone else to give it to you, i guess I do't understand the context in which you mean that statement here?