The whole 'hunting them is an act of respect, some connection with the animal B.S.' is what really annoys me with trophy hunting. You know what would be even more of an act of respect? Not killing them, not taking photos of their dead body, not being happy or excited about taking a life. Heck, if you really, really respect the animals, how about actively working for and donating to their conservation and protection from poachers.
If you admit you just like the thrill of hunting and killing wild prey, or it makes you feel good about yourself, or you just like the way dead animals look on your wall, then I won't respect you but at least you're being honest. It feels to me like a perversion of native perspectives on hunting: as though trophy hunters have decided that if they talk some of the same language about respect for nature, they get a free pass.
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