IIRC, the AR-15 was originally marketed as a ‘varmint rifle’ – a role for which is is particularly well-suited. Personally, I differentiate between ‘hunting’ and ‘varmint hunting’; because ‘hunting’ (to me) is killing an animal for food, and ‘varmint hunting’ is to protect livestock.
Full disclosure: I own several AR-15s; two actual 1979 Colt SP-1s; and other brands that I built. I don’t hunt. They are just for collecting. (And I’m planning to sell all but the Colts. I’m getting old.)