Quote:
Originally Posted by octothorp
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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That is exactly what many of them say and it is the case that many of the legal hunts are done to cull and the proceeds do go to conservation. I don't believe that many actually truly believe that in their hearts though. They want the kill. They want the head/skin. I think the best way is to, as you say, donate to the conservation of these animals and let the experts cull as needed. It won't get rid of the poaching issue and indeed might make it worse but at least then there are legal repercussions for all.
I still don't like the posing with the dead animal a person likely maimed, tormented and brutalized for hours and passing that off as "honoring" the animal. You aren't honoring the animal. You are bragging. I'm not sure what you're bragging about as these people don't even do the tracking. They hire guys to do it and all they do is pull a trigger. How sporting.