Thread: Cecil the Lion

At least this is calling attention to the mistreatment of zebras.

Is just lion food.

I tend to think it all quite sad. Where these animals live is their last bastion. A primitive place, still. Mankind, money, and technology are accelerating the end of some species, I think. Leave them alone. Let nature take what is due . The only animals which should be 'sold' should come from a responsible government which determined so. No way to find the moneyed Dentist guilty, He paid for what he got. Certainly cost him a pile. He is extinct, now. Ironic that a black-maned lion has deserved some attention, upon his death. JMO

Some accounts describe a cut fence but all include the fact that the lion was lured from the game preserve. Given that latter fact, I think it's a lame defense for him to declare that he considered the entire thing to be legal. In my opinion the greater likelihood is that he knew exactly what he was paying for.

I just don't know where to start

Let's just say that anyone that doesn't hunt should REALLY do some research because so many statements here are really off the cuff and just not true... Not just hunt but trophy hunt there is a distinct difference..

For instance the things that the media reported that set people off

Luring the animal
Hunting with a spotlight at night
Tracking a wounded animal for days
Skinning and taking the head
Leaving the carcass after a 40 hour track
Hunting with a guide being mandatory

These are all legal / common, even here in the US, You can find this info easily

I personally don't trophy hunt but I understand the realities of why it is needed to perpetuate those species
This is especially true in poor countries.. You can find all this info easily if you chose..

As to guilt, I wasn't there, but I do know that most of the guilt if any will go against the PH ie: the Guide as that is his job and his license that are in jeopardy..


ps: I could fill this page with multiple links to back up everything I am saying, but honestly I doubt anyone really cares

Interesting perspectives, and facts on this topic.

Never understood trophy hunting, anything I kill is for food. Hell, I feel bad landing a big fish and will quite often release it if possible.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I just don't know where to start

Let's just say that anyone that doesn't hunt should REALLY do some research because so many statements here are really off the cuff and just not true... Not just hunt but trophy hunt there is a distinct difference..

For instance the things that the media reported that set people off

Luring the animal
Hunting with a spotlight at night
Tracking a wounded animal for days
Skinning and taking the head
Leaving the carcass after a 40 hour track
Hunting with a guide being mandatory

These are all legal / common, even here in the US, You can find this info easily

I personally don't trophy hunt but I understand the realities of why it is needed to perpetuate those species
This is especially true in poor countries.. You can find all this info easily if you chose..

As to guilt, I wasn't there, but I do know that most of the guilt if any will go against the PH ie: the Guide as that is his job and his license that are in jeopardy..


ps: I could fill this page with multiple links to back up everything I am saying, but honestly I doubt anyone really cares

Some of the things that you have listed are not legal in jurisdictions outside the US.

In Ontario luring/baiting is legal in areas where it is legal to hunt. The ethics of deliberately luring/baiting an animal out of a protected area is extremely questionable though.

In Ontario try jack lighting here and see what happens if you are caught. You can't hunt at night.

Tracking a wounded animal for days to finish them off is legal here and an ethical thing to do.

In Ontario skinning and taking the head is legal here but leaving meat to spoil isn't

In Ontario hunting with a guide is mandatory for non residents of Canada.

Yup, trophy hunting rankles a lot of people but it is legal so long as you meet certain requirements associated with it in whatever jurisdiction you are hunting in. Hunting provides an economic benefit and it is very important in poorer countries but also makes breaking/bending the law in those same poor countries much easier/likelier if you have the bucks.

Bob

Sub-Saharan Africa is the World's Armpit.

Originally Posted by BobH

In Ontario try jack lighting here and see what happens if you are caught. You can't hunt at night.

Again you guys really should at least search your own laws before making off the cuff remarks

It took me less then one minute to find that using a light is legal in Ontario for certain species.. (Most often these are Predator, Varmint or Furbearing species on this side of the world)

Also the 40 hour track is an important part here about donating the meat which is the common practice in areas if Native people even want it.. After 40 hours depending on the bow shot (I am assuming it wasn't a good one since the lion went 40 hours) the meat was most likely tainted..

This is exactly why guides Guides and PH's are relied upon to keep a hunt legal and ethical..
I am not saying this one was, I personally wasn't there to know, the money is big here, and the PH is working for a tip also..


But the realities of Trophy hunting seem to be lost on most, as it really is all about what the media told you to believe in a Twitter and FB fed frenzy

or

Originally Posted by Pithor

What really grinds my gears though, is the "good people moral outrage", especially the "...but I'm not getting out of this chair" variety (Tweet, tweet, blog, blog!!!"¤¤%21") and ensuing mob justice. I cannot think of anything more disturbing and uglier than a hysterical pitchfork mob deciding what is right or wrong, heading to the castle to slay the evil, subhuman monster.

Edit:
Also this isn't always in poor countries, You have to really search for it now but Steven Segal was actually caught up in an "Illegal" guided Elk hunt in Colorado...

His guide took him across a Unit Boundary line to shoot a Bull Elk...

The guide was charged and lost his license IIRC this was back in the 80's