New man but he shoots as a hobby ...

[jumpinjax]

He seems lovely but he's told me from the outset that he shoots as a hobby.
I don't have any major feelings about shooting one way or another , because I know so little about it but now told me that he's going on a big game shoot in Autumn and I don't know what I feel ... except maybe pity for the animals.
Would you get rid straight away?

@isthismylifenow Are you in USA OP? Is is a very American thing to come here, pay a fuck load of money and shoot an animal that has no way of escaping. Its not like a proper hunt for buck for eg, where they are just roaming free.

Like this person?
Some of the animals on the islands are quite tame and have no fear of humans.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/american-trophy-hunters-bragged-killing-13471838

@jumpinjax Is this Canned Hunting ? Trophy Hunting ?
If the fact that he kills animals for pleasure is bothering you do some research and educate yourself. Passively saying you know nothing about hunting and that its all new to you doesn’t really cut it.

Nether do I??
But do you eat factory farmed chicken? Pork? Beef? These are all animals.
Big game hunting of endangered wild animals is very different to hunting deer in this country. Deer in this country are overrunning the countryside and are regularly culled in their thousands to maintain a balance.

I would value his honesty around being upfront about something that he is clearly conscious about both from his perspective and the views of other people.

The fair thing to do, given he has openly offered this information to you, is to chat to him about it and understand more about his thinking, reasons, values etc. It is far too easy in life to judge a book by its cover. You can then make your own informed decision.

That said, it's not something I could even think about doing. I find it morally very wrong.

Are you vegan? If not you can’t really complain. I’m vegan and kinda think shooting game is a lot better than the lives that many farm animals have to endure.

God deal breaker of the century for me!!!

They do I'm afraid. And yes, it is that expensive. Which is why unscrupulous disgraceful people don't give a fuck about the wildlife and break and bend all the laws going to give the stupid tourist their five seconds of thrills. They also tell the stupid tourist they're doing good - conservation etc - to salve their conscience. It is nauseating beyond belief.

OP - you stick with creep and people will be questioning your values too. Sorry. But if I was at a dinner party with someone who talked about their big game hunt, I'd rip them apart publicly. So would everyone in my family and pretty much everyone I know. You've got that to look forward to. Think very carefully.

In my book deer in the uk = fine, there’s currently an overpopulation issue and it’ll be eaten. Pheasants & grouse = not fine, why rear birds (who you release in huge numbers on an ecosystem already under stress) just to be shot? Big game in other countries for sport? No no no, not fine at all!!!!

Just to say though there isn't a consensus in the wildlife science sector about whether big game trophy hunting is good or bad overall for conservation - one example: ‘Poorly conceived’ trophy hunting bill puts wildlife at risk, UK government told | Hunting | The Guardian

However there is a difference between the impact of the activity or 'sport' as a whole, and the motives/morals of the individuals who pursue it. I can accept that there may be some positives to trophy hunting overall, but cannot understand or agree with the ethics of the people who do it.

I have friends who shoot in the UK, for sport and conservation purposes. I don't judge them for doing it but I simply cannot imagine ever wanting to do something like that.

I get that some animals like deer have to be culled to tackle overpopulation (I'm still praying for a natural predator to be reintroduced so we don't have to do this anymore). But I couldn't be with someone who killed purely for sport/pleasure.

I've worked with animals in Africa. Big game hunting does not help conservation either, no matter what arguments pyschos trophy hunters come up with.

Absolute deal breaker and indicates a total lack of empathy to be able to enjoy killing things for fun.

It’s weird for them to brag about it but killing deer is a necessity in the highlands unfortunately. There are quotas that landowners have to meet.

I would take him shooting, only he wouldn't have bullets in his gun. I'd give him a head start though, I'm not completely heartless.

Seriously though, I couldn't be in a relationship with someone who killef other sentient beings for fun.

I am vegetarian. Deer, I would have no problem with (unless endangered species). Big cat and elephants are an absolute deal breaker and I don’t think I could even bear to talk to a person I knew did that.

For me, on a personal level, I wouldn't want to be with someone who wants to kill innocent animals purely to satisfy their lust to hunt.

For those who are arguing that they would be okay with it if it were birds reared for hunting or a necessary cull... Trophy hunting is conservation's dirty secret.

Many conservation NGOs couldn't survive without the money from trophy hunting. The death of one lion funds the conservation of many more lions who may not survive otherwise. The money it brings in protects land from being turned to other uses, destroying the animals' habitat. It discourages poaching because it is more profitable for the community to protect the animals and creates jobs. It has a much lower environmental impact for the amount of money it brings in compared to safaris.

As much as I can see there are ecological arguments for allowing trophy hunting, I couldn't respect anyone who wants to take part.

My question is to the people who think UK shoots are ok but not big game, what's the distinction?

Both are absolutely vile in my eyes but I'm interested to know

I get that some animals like deer have to be culled to tackle overpopulation (I'm still praying for a natural predator to be reintroduced so we don't have to do this anymore).

If I were a deer I'm certain I'd rather be killed instantly with no warning than chased in terror then mauled by a wolf or such 😬

That would be a deal breaker for me too, I think that there is something deeply wrong with the kind of people who get enjoyment from killing things, and no I don't eat meat.

I prefer the kind of men who love animals and would never dream of hurting them for entertainment.

Australian here. If someone wanted to shoot feral cats and foxes, absolutely ok. They absolutely decimate the wildlife here and do not belong.

Taking part in kangaroo culls, yes. The natural cull due to droughts doesn't happen in the same way due to water being available on stations etc more regularly and feed being available.

But elephants and big cats? No. These are private reserves run for financial reasons not for the preservation of the animals.

It's not just game hunters. There's lots of debate about it, and also we need to consider how ethical it is for us to be telling people in other less developed countries how to manage their environment when we're just as bad - it all comes across as being a bit colonial

The economic impact of trophy hunting in the south African wildlife industry - ScienceDirect

Oh no I really couldn't.. it would be a deal breaker after you explained what bug game means to him

You have “no idea” whether shooting up some elephants is okay or not?

You really have “no idea”?

Fuck that.

@Diospyros that's more or less where I sit. I grew up with a mix of different hunting types as many of my relatives work in national parks, conservation etc. You have to shoot an elephant to get a guiding licence for example (to prove you can do it in a dangerous situation with guests). But some people were way more into it than others sometimes in very uncaring ways.

The fact is that elephants and lions in a place like say South Africa aren't actually endangered. So I agree with posters saying it's no different to a deer shoot in the UK.

Personally though I would be unlikely to date someone who was a trophy hunter specifically, because I find them often trivial and shallow people. Same as people who say they've "done" 20 countries.

I live in the country and near a lake and hear shooting quite often. It really upsets me to hear it and once my neighbour had an injured bird in her garden and had to get my DH to dispatch it - horrible! All that's bad enough but big game shooting- no way! And no, I'm not a vegetarian.

As an animal lover would he a big no for me.
What kind of person enjoys killing animals for a hobby?