Can It! Say NO to The Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of 2005
Let's Stop Promoting "Man's Dominion" Over Nonhuman Life
On 9 February 2005, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced a bill (S. 304) with the short title “The Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of 2005.” Proponents of the bill claim it will “crack down on ‘canned hunts,’ the abhorrent practice of confining tame, exotic animals in an enclosed space and shooting them at close range.” [1] As Senator Lautenberg has acknowledged, it is important to note what the bill does and does not do.
By its own terms, the bill would not prohibit the stalking and killing of any birds, such as doves, turkeys, quails and pheasants, nor any native mammals, such as white-tailed deer and elk. Yet these animals make up the vast majority of animals killed on hunting ranches.
The bill, if passed, would not forbid killing exotic (non-native) mammals in enclosures of less than 1,000 acres, including animals on 2,437 ranches, in Texas [3] alone, which have 2005 Hunting Lease Licenses for 1,000+ acres. Additionally, of the more than 8,000 total ranches licensed for hunting by the state of Texas, all could offer native mammals and birds.
The exempted hunting ranches — those with 1,000 or more acres — are offering exotic animals, including those in danger of extinction, such as scimitar-horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle.
The bill does nothing to impede hunters from frequenting private hunting ranches.
If passed, the bill would provide a cover of legitimacy to trophy hunting ranches over 1,000 acres.
S. 304 glorifies the hunting industry with the label of "sportsmanship."
As its title suggests, it accepts the concept of "fair chase" formulated by the Boone and Crocket Club, which Theodore Roosevelt founded to promote competition for antlers, horns and skulls. The "fair chase" is "intended to enhance the hunter’s experience."[2] Within such a paradigm, the nonhuman interest in life and freedom is never seriously considered.
Can The Act That Sells Out Endangered Antelopes
The Sportsmanship in Hunting Act impedes the effort to protect and respect endangered antelopes and other animals.
In 2005, pressed by legal action from Friends of Animals, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed as endangered the scimitar-horned oryx, addax, and dama gazelle. These antelopes, native to arid northern Africa, are now all highly endangered due to habitat destruction caused by agribusiness, armed conflict, mining, and poaching.
Private canned-hunting ranches in the United States, mainly in Texas, breed and keep some of these antelopes, and charge tourists for the opportunity to take home trophies. It is hypocritical in the extreme to refer to U.S. tourists who kill these antelopes as "sportsmen," while identifying African hunters of the same animals as poachers.
Yet, pressed by ranchers, the government exempted U.S.-bred antelopes from their "endangered" designation. With a few limited requirements, the new rule allows any person to kill, export, or sell live antelopes.
Plotting of ranches with over 1,000 acres with 2005 Texas Hunting Lease Licenses
Data used to plot this map was provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Members and supporters of Friends of Animals thank the Environmental Law Clinical Partnership of the University of Denver for their steadfast work in the legal challenge to keep all antelopes the highest level of legal protection possible.
777 Ranch (TX)
15,000 acres
scimitar-horned oryx and addax
Canoe Creek Ranch (KY)
15,000 acres
scimitarhorned oryx and addax
Casa Grand Game Ranch (TX)
3,700 acres
addax
Circle E Ranch (TX)
2,000 acres
scimitarhorned oryx and addax
Comanche Spring Ranch (TX)
5,400 acres
scimitar-horned oryx
Continental Ranch (TX)
47,000 acres
scimitarhorned oryx and addax
Diamond K Ranch (TX)
5,000 acres
scimitar-horned oryx and addax
High Adventure Ranch (MO)
1,000 acres
scimitar-horned oryx and addax
Indianhead Ranch (TX)
10,000 acres
scimitar-horned oryx and addax
More or Less Game Ranch (TX)
1,200 acres
scimitar- horned oryx
Wild Horse Prairie Ranches (TX)
7,500 acres
scimitar-horned oryx
Y.O. Ranch (TX)
60,000 acres
scimitar-horned oryx and addax
Please encourage your legislators to oppose this bill. You can locate your Senators through http://www.congress.org or write to them at:
The Honorable ______________
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Congressional Switchboard 202-224-3121
Footnotes
- “Take Action: Stop Canned Hunting,” The Humane Society of the United States
- “Fair Chase Statement,” Boone and Crocket Club
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department report of Hunting License Leases report 31 August 2005
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55 Comments
On November 15, 2005, Dan Simon wrote:
Thank you Texas ranchers for breeding the antelopes and keeping them from going into extinction. Your hard work, time and money will keep the antelope around so that my children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy thier beauty. The large wild herds of antelope i saw in South dakota this year tells me that they will be here for a very long time. Again, thanks for all the hard work farmers and ranchers.
Dan
[ Blog editors’ note: The antelopes living on Texas hunting ranches are being bred to be killed
and that does nothing for conservation. If anyone’s children ought to have a glimpse of the beauty of North African antelopes, it should be North African children.]
On November 15, 2005, Joanne Delerme wrote:
NO! to the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of 2005
On November 15, 2005, Linda Cribb wrote:
Just what’s fair about the chase??? An unarmed animal running for it’s very life! Who’s chasing the hunter?? When do the animals get the chance to fight back??
On November 15, 2005, Patricia Callaway wrote:
Please say NO to canned hunts! There is NOTHING sportsman like about them!
On November 15, 2005, galina wrote:
no!
On November 15, 2005, KEN HASENFUS wrote:
NO MORE K I L L I N G !!!!!!
On November 15, 2005, Roberta A. Stolz wrote:
Canned hunting is a travesty—-how can you call that hunting? To hunt means to seek and find not fall over it in your path! The facilitators and participants alike should be royally ashamed of themselves! Isn’t there enough killing in the world without adding innocent animals to the mix? A big resounding no to canned hunting!
On November 15, 2005, olga, alex & david grovic wrote:
“sportsmanship hunting”? destruction of innocent lives that have done nothing to merit their deaths or the death of their offspring or communities? sounds like “natural terrorism” to us. there is nothing “sporting” about condoning and participating in violence and death for the sake of enjoyment and entertainment - think about it - sounds more akin to psychopathy…what healthy human being turns to death for pleasure - apart from terrorists?
On November 15, 2005, Frances Cone wrote:
There is nothing humane or sportsmanlike about canned hunts. The animal is trapped and in many cases, is not killed with the first shot. Furthermore, hunters on these canned hunts are not real hunters since all they want is a trophy. Shame on these so called hunters and shame on the owners that allow canned hunts on their lands! We did not inherit this Earth, we are borrowing it from our children!
On November 15, 2005, Marie E. Yednak-Carpenter wrote:
The killing of innocent animals needs to be stopped!!!
On November 15, 2005, Chris wrote:
This type of inhumane treatment of any animal needs to be stopped - not in the future but NOW!
On November 15, 2005, Nancy Hey wrote:
Where is the “sport” in killing innocent, defenseless animals?
Hunting is nothing but cruelty and sadism. The animals’ right to live should be respected.
On November 15, 2005, Irene LaRusso wrote:
Canned hunts MUST be abolished! Only COWARDS would ever hunt this way. Go to the super market for your meat and STOP the needless killing of animals for monetary sake!
[ Blog editors’ note: For the animals, the environment, and your health, Friends of Animals would joyfully recommend a vegan lifestyle.]
On November 15, 2005, Evelyn Schwertl wrote:
Canned hunting, most certainly, is not a sport. It’s cruel and sadistic. It should be banned.
On November 15, 2005, lisa fredriksen wrote:
Canned hunts are for the sick and twisted who are too fat and too lazy and who lack any kind of a conscience.
On November 15, 2005, Reverend Katherine Alexander wrote:
No to canned hunts.
On November 15, 2005, Christa wrote:
Say NO to canned hunts! There is NOTHING sportsman like about them!
On November 15, 2005, Margaret Spittler wrote:
Q What’s worse than a hunter stalking wildlife?
A A hunter on a canned hunt.
Q Then what’s worse than a hunter on a canned hunt?
A A canned hunter so proud of his kill that he mounts he stuffs and mounts it in his den—and brags about how he bravely stalked it.
On November 15, 2005, Sharon Athanasiou wrote:
Bloodsports are just unecessary….why condone it?
On November 15, 2005, Kim Lenz wrote:
Really what’s the legitmate purpose of a canned hunt. Almost always the animal is drugged, why is that fair? Alot of the times the animal is on an endangered or threatned list. The owners give them up when they can no longer afford or take care of them. Owning an exotic, endangered or threatened should also be banned but that is for another day. I say NO to The Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of 2005.
On November 15, 2005, Yvonne Clark wrote:
How anyone can call hunting a sport is beyond me. It’s not a sport, it slaughter, plain and simple. A sport is when you have one or more active member on each side, on fair ground. Hunting doesn’t fall in that category whatsoever. Say NO!!!
On November 15, 2005, Charlie Young wrote:
I hunted as a boy with my Dad in the woods of Maine for deer we then ate, which helped as I believed to thin the herds and was food for our table. These animals were not “bred”, and were extremely hard to track. The very idea of breeding and “hunting” in a fenced in area is repugnent to me. It sounds like shooting someone’s pets. This bill and the behavior surounding it are an embarrassment to hunters. Please do not pass this; or even consider it.
[ Blog editor’s note: Thank you for writing in. Deer herds can manage their own numbers, and there’s no need to inflict violence on conscious beings to have food on the table. Hunting in any form is repugnant enough to be an embarrassment to us all. ]
On November 15, 2005, shana starr wrote:
I have a GREAT IDEA………Let’s start hunting humans for fun!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will see how funny that is!!!!!! LEAVE THE POOR ANIMALS ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[ Blog editor’s note: Let’s just call the whole thing off. ;>) ]
On November 15, 2005, Lee Hall wrote:
On November 15, 2005, Lee Hall wrote:
Message from Friends of Animals follows:
U.S. residents, please encourage your legislators to Say NO to The Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of 2005.
Again, we OPPOSE the bill that will give big hunting ranches legitimacy.
You can locate your Senators and ask them to OPPOSE THE BILL through http://www.congress.org or write to them at:
The Honorable ____
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Congressional Switchboard 202-224-3121
On November 15, 2005, anne wrote:
There’s no ‘sportsmanship’ in hunting, period, let alone these ranches that promote hunting in enclosed areas. That’s like shooting pickerel in a barrel. Sick.
On November 15, 2005, pam olsen wrote:
as an avid anti-hunting person to begin with, i think the canned hunts are outrageous. why must men insist on killing those that have no defenses against the shooter and can’t fight back?
On November 15, 2005, Nicole Arduini wrote:
Stop the canned hunts!!! This is not sportsmanship—just a disguise for the continued cruelty against our precious animals.
On November 15, 2005, Cam wrote:
ARE YOU CRAZY????? This stuff should be illegal!!!!!! How DARE you!!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean what’s the point of shooting exotic animals???? You soon they’ll become extinct and you’ll have a guilty conscience. Your fault! Maybe I’ll have an online public protest… We’ll see.
On November 15, 2005, pete glasier wrote:
Canned hunting is cruel and inhumane, as is any type of hunting. We should learn how to coexist with our animal friends, rather than slaughter them.
On November 15, 2005, Sarah wrote:
I can’t stand all of this inhumanity! Hunting altogether should be banned! Animals and the environment are very important to this world and without them we WILL die! Every being has its purpose and none of us are here to be tortured, slaughtered or eaten. Say NO to hunting!
Thank you Friends Of Animals, for your continued efforts on behalf of our animals, our friends, our family.
On November 15, 2005, Giovanni Di Nardi wrote:
Canned hunting is a disgrace, and those that participate in this so called
“sport” are nothing more than mere cowards. If these people need the thrill
of the hunt, they should sign up for a tour in Iraq. However, remember, the
prey in Iraq, has the capability to shoot back, making it a “real sport,”
where only real “men” need apply. Instead of these cowards, running to
purchase hunting licenses, lets see how fast these hunters make it to their
local military recruiter where there really needed, if they must kill. I’d
be willing to bet these macho, tough guys, don’t want any part of this
sport!
And oh yes…before you tell me to sign up for duty…I already served my
year in hell, in a place called Vietnam, where I had to fight and survive an
equally skilled hunter.
[Blog editor’s note: The comment begs the question why anyone should “need the thrill of the hunt.” The concept of masculinity seems to be part of the problem when a form of violence is linked with “real men.” Replacing a hunting license with a stint in the military will only change who is being pursued, while still imposing violence on animals — with humans in place of non-humans. ]
On November 15, 2005, Theresa Perenich wrote:
Canned hunting is not sportsmanship. It is a cruel, inhumane and unnecessary method of killing animals in confined quarters.
On November 15, 2005, Olivia Nathanson wrote:
How can you say sportsmanship? This is the furthest from sportsmanship. This bill allows the killing of innocent creatures, for what, your own enjoyment, satisfaction, sick pleasure? It’s disgusting.
On November 15, 2005, Sue wrote:
I hope for a better day for all animals, a day when humans respect all forms of life. “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” - Mohandas Gandhi
Sherry Marsh adds: Please, no more senseless hunting.
On November 15, 2005, virginia robertson wrote:
Canned Hunts are cruel and inhumane.
PLEASE STOP them.
On November 15, 2005, carol shubin wrote:
they say that hunting is a sport.sporting events are equal on each side the only way that “hunting” can fill this,is when the animal also has a gun.then it is equal.any man that can get up at the crack of dawn ,spend countless money on special clothing freeze,while he “hides”in a tree or shrubs,just to say that he out smart a defenceless animal is really a ………It takes a big man to do that.
On November 15, 2005, Jean Sutherland wrote:
NO. Stop the cruelty.
On November 16, 2005, Jon Stewart wrote:
Bloodlust is barbaric in ANY form! This is just the gladiator mentallity updated for the 21st century.
On November 16, 2005, Mary Alice Pollard, Cornwall's Voice for Animals.UK wrote:
How easy it is for hunters to dismiss what they do - often by calling it part of * conservation * or * pest control * when the simple fact of what is going on - is a love of killing - anything and everything. How sad it is that this is the sort of people who are putting into the minds of the children, who will take over the care of our world and all who live on it’s lands and in it’s waters once we are gone, that this is normal and acceptable treatment of our wildlife
This is SICK 
These animals were not put on this earth for us to exploit - the lack of respect for animal life seen by hunters is horrifying to say the least. * Oh which head will I keep * says one hunter who killed two bear cubs - proceeded to tease the dogs with them … throwing the smallest to the dogs so they can tear it to shreds !
How brave would these people be - if the animals could shoot back ?
If one goes out and kills a deer, uses the leather and eats the meat - well I can turn my head to that …. better than buying a cow from the supermarket
On November 16, 2005, Jake Jones wrote:
I hate hunters! I believe that hunting is a legal outet for sociopathic behavior. These people have no feeling or remorse when they kill; they enjoy it. And there sole purpose for killing is for the enjoyment aspect. They have no respect for life nor do they possess the intellectual capacity to understand the gravity of their actions. We need to break the cycle of this behavior by changing laws so that our animal brothers and sisters are protected from these monsters. So I say NO to the bill (of course).
On November 16, 2005, Ken & Cherie Mason wrote:
We strongly oppose the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act 0f 2005 as it would put endangered species at risk and because it flies in the face of the tradition of “fair chase”.
Hunters don’t need more “bad press!”
Blog editor’s note: There’s no such thing as fair chase, and hunted animals are, of course, unarmed. We believe that human hunters are deserving of much more bad press. Their apologists at federal and state wildlife agencies champion the dominator mentality, and frame their hunter-client’s acts of violence as civic-minded acts that benefit both humans and nonhuman animals — when these animals are blown to pieces.
On November 16, 2005, Francis Hoffman wrote:
I am a huter and have never taken part of a canned hunt and never met any one who has. Can you explain what you mean buy a canned hunt. I know of no sportsman that has any game in a cage or can as you put it lets it out and shoots it as it comes up to be petted. Now if you think that 15,000 acres is a canned hunt then I think it is time for you to go to the adirondak park and take a 3 mile hike off the posted trail into the wild forest then come back and respond to how many animals you see. I look forward to hearing from you if you find your way back. Buy the way, in the past I have been a supporter of friends of animals for there work with the spay and neuter clinics (which whether you would like to belive it or not is under your concept of letting animals live there lives is humane animal contrl)but not any more.Maybe its time to neuter you
[ Blog editors’ note: Hello, Francis. Thanks for reading and writing in. Some of the Friends of Animals folks might indeed be neutered but it would be intrusive to poll everyone. In any case we are concerned about the population of domestic animals - including the prolific Homo sapiens who’s doing all the domesticating. Thank you for having been a supporter of our neuter work; it’s sincerely appreciated.
As for going out and controlling the populations of free-living communities (bear, deer, goose, and so forth) so that their numbers are just as high or low as we like them to be to suit our convenience, we aren’t in support of that. Canned hunts using endangered species are problematic for reasons in addition to the domination and intimidation factor. For example, we North Americans will (rightly) be upset if someone is killing the same animals in Africa as they hold out as trophies here. Yet U.S. ranchers would like to call it a legitimate business — even call it conservation. There’s a striking void in logic and strikingly inconsistent thinking going on there. One could, and we do, call it flagrantly hypocitical.
We aren’t in the business of defining a canned hunt by acreage (that’s one reason we don’t support the bill). Any enclosure, though, or any private captivity, has traditionally attracted the label of canned hunt. Yes, some of these antelopes at these huge ranches will just run up to be fed. In Texas, people can stop and buy food for the antelopes and they are used to being fed by visitors. So they become relatively tame.]
On November 17, 2005, Diane Melanson wrote:
I cannot understand who ever said humans were superior to anyone or any other living thing.
What gives anyone the right to kill anything that shares this earth with us!
On November 17, 2005, Jared Brenner wrote:
All hunting is cruel and inhumane but canned hunting is the worst.
On November 17, 2005, Nancy Levine wrote:
Why continue this silly stupid slaughter of innocent wildlife. This act of macho manly hunting has to stop. This isn’t hunting, this is outright murder.
On November 17, 2005, Gianna Aleman wrote:
The hypocrisy in this country is unbelievable on so many levels. ‘Sportsmanship’ has nothing to do with these butchers. It is a vain pastime for the chronically unimaginative population with too much money on their hands. The same precision and persistence which they use to hunt these poor, beautiful animals, should be put to positive use, in preserving the populations of the magnificent inhabitants of our planet. The trophies these people should be taking home, is not a mounted head, but a plaque that reads ‘In honor of (name), whose integrity, dedication and humanity has helped to conserve our planet and its inhabitants..’ or something along those lines. That would be a trophy to be proud of.
On November 18, 2005, Carol Koeneke wrote:
This is asking you to say NO to the sportsmanship hunting act of 2005. This has got to be stopped!!!! Thank you
On November 21, 2005, Ruth Matthews wrote:
Hunting is not a sport — it’s plain and simply killing. Canned hunting is unconscionable and despicable. If you want to feel really macho and good about yourself, try an act of kindness.
On November 22, 2005, Craig Higgins wrote:
Canned hunts are barbaric and not ‘sporting’ at all. We will never become a truly civilized nation as long as canned hunts take place on our soil. I urge you to end this unfair practice and restrict your shooting to target ranges.
On November 25, 2005, Kristy wrote:
Hunting is not a sport! It is pure cruelty!
On November 29, 2005, Renee wrote:
There is no such thing as GOOD sportsmanship in hunting. This bill is a joke. All hunting is cruel and unneccessary and should be stopped, especially canned hunts. People should find more productive things to do with the time.
On November 30, 2005, Janet Frazier wrote:
We think we humans are superior to four-legged animals in every way. But we constantly show that we are not by our brutal, primitive ways.
On December 5, 2005, Richard Ordonez wrote:
Until we learn how to live in peace with our animal friends, man will never find tranquility. It simply amazes me that when some of us walk, our knuckles don’t bleed! Hunters are nothing more than SPINELESS COWARDS with a rifle. If they think they are so tough, then go fight a grizzly bear or siberian tiger with your bare hands. We’ll see who the tough guy is then. The time has come to hunt the hunter!
On January 23, 2006, Elizabeth wrote:
This is so sad. I can’t believe we have degraded ourselves to putting a poor beautiful animal’s head on our walls, or their skin on our own and their meat in our stomaches. I believe in hunting for food only, after all it’s been proven that cat’s and some other animals need nutrients from other animals. But confining something that we should be attempting to help?… that’s wrong. I’m fully saddened by this, I felt so mortified when I read it. Some people are just jerks looking for fun. Nowadays it’s getting even sadder, I’d prefer to watch deer and gazelle etc. from a distance, and watch as they live their lives free, instead of sitting on a fawn’s skin or staring into the glass eyes of some poor buck or doe. I hope that you guys can help out this, and I hope this get’s resolved…
,Liz
On March 17, 2006, DJ wrote:
This is actually a question… I was reading your column on the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of 2005. In it you stated, “The bill, if passed, would not forbid killing exotic (non-native) mammals in enclosures of less than 1,000 acres.” And then stated, “The exempted hunting ranches ? those with 1,000 or more acres ? are offering exotic animals.” I was under the impression that ranches under 1000 acres could no longer offer exotic species, while ranches over 1000 acres could. Is this correct and the above a typo? Please help me understand!
Thanks!
[Blog editors’ note: You’re correct, exotic mammals on ranches of 1000 or more acres can be killed under the bill. Whereas all birds and all native mammals can still be killed on ranches of any size. The larger ranches are more likely to have exotic mammals.]