The practice of hunting varmints, done as a sport, or sometimes for profit as a service to farmers and ranchers to rid them of varmints such as groundhogs, whistle-pigs, prairie dogs, etc.
Usually varminters uses a specially designed varmint rifle.
Varminting is sometimes considered controversial, as it is often simply killing for sport, but the bad reputation is partly the result of a few bad apples who like to show the world their attitude by wearing tasteless T-shirts like the "Red Mist Club" shirt that has a prairie dog exploding into small body parts and some red mist after being hit by a bullet. These renegade varminters have no taste and are a detriment to the sport but most varminters are not like this.
Varminting is also an excellent avenue for sport shooters and big game hunters to practice their shooting skills.