Sports Outdoor Recreation Hunting
Hunting Section - what are your thoughts about the killing of Cecil the Lion?
When I first heard about it I didn't pay much attention. I figured it was just another story about liberals getting upset over a legal hunt. But as I've heard more about it, it sounds like there were several legal and/or ethical issues. Consider the following: 1. There are reports that the local guides... show more When I first heard about it I didn't pay much attention. I figured it was just another story about liberals getting upset over a legal hunt.
But as I've heard more about it, it sounds like there were several legal and/or ethical issues.
1. There are reports that the local guides may not have had the proper tags or permits to hunt a lion. If that's true, do you think the American who paid for a guided hunt should be held responsible?
2. They baited the lion and lured him off of a nature preserve into an area where hunting was legal. Does anyone know if baiting is legal in that area? and if so if there are any legal implications for the fact that they specifically lured the animal off of the preserve?
3. They targeted the dominant male in a pride. Anyone who knows lion behavior knows that when the dominant male is killed the remaining males will fight for dominance. The winner will kill all the cubs in the pride and several females will be hurt or killed attempting to defend their young. This means dozens more lions will die. If the hunters had targeted one of the non-dominant males none of this would happen.
4. Normally the money from guided hunts provides a great source of revenue for conservation and anti-poaching enforcement. But Cecil was a well known tourist attraction so his death will probably mean a decrease in revenue. However this is just speculation on my part.
Ultimately, was this an act of poaching? Any other thoughts or comments?
Update: Additionally, he was shot with a bow and it took an estimated 40 hours to track him and eventually kill him with a firearm. Does anyone have comments or info on whether bow hunting for lion is considered acceptable from an ethical standpoint?
anyone who uses a cross bow to shoot ANYTHING and lets it suffer for 40 hours is, IMHO a sick person who should have ALL his weapons taken from him.
kenneth.widmerpool · 4 years ago
Palmer's a psychpath. Good thing he was discovered before he killed more and moved on the humans to satisfy his blood lust. I am worried about his wife and kids. If he can't kill because he's in hiding, he might turn on them to get his kill fix.The cops need to capture this beast soon.
The guy relied on guides to perform the trophy hunt according to local rules and regulations. He s an experienced hunter, so he may have a pretty good handle on legal hunting in Zimbabwe. Whatever the case, he'll have to answer for his actions.
That being said, no one knew who Cecil the lion was just a few short days ago. With homosexuals being dropped from rooftops by Islamic extremists and unborn children being dissected so their body parts can be sold seems like much more pressing issues to the U.S. and the world than the manufactured sympathy for this poor lion. If everyone wants to be focused on Zimbabwe, maybe they should take a closer look at Mr. Robert Mugabe and his less than stellar (see: abysmal) human rights record. Cecil is a distraction that will have to get in line behind the actual atrocities occurring in the world.
Source(s): http://www.history.com/topics/robert-mugabe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr7d1sTDNts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWQuZMvcFA8
Sean · 4 years ago
If it was legal, I don't see a problem with it.
Mr.357 · 4 years ago
As a hunter it depends how he was taken. If he was poached which very well may be the case then it was a
horrible act done in poor sport and taste. If he was baited as well that is also in poor taste as it takes away the challenge of the hunt in fair sport. So basically if this lion was taken in the accused manner illegally then these guys (guides and hunters) should be fined and jailed and never allowed to hunt again anywhere in the world.
ERIC · 4 years ago
Killing any animal is wrong and it wasn't legal. Any hunting should be banned EVERYWHERE
jane · 4 years ago
Short and sweet: It wasn't hunting, It was poaching
dig · 4 years ago
Trophy hunting is nothing but serial murder. The self proclamed trophy hunters are nothing but cowards and muderers. They came accross the globe just to slaughter beautiful wildlife. And why? To the sole purpose of look "macho". There is nothing macho, brave, cool or strong about killing an innocent sentient being. We are animals like them, not gods. They share our capacity for love, compassion, pain and emotions. While unlike us, they do not kill for pleasure like this monsters. Killing for pleasure can't possibly be tolerated. And a nation that glorify the slaughter and raise his sons into believe it's a right thing is barbaric and horrorific.
Thor · 4 years ago
You asked a provoking question, over the past couple of days this dentist and his actions have been a social media hotbed. Do I agree with how this hunt was conducted, absolutely not. Should the PH and guide service be held accountable; yes to the fullest extent possible. Did this hunter conduct himself in the utmost of unethical hunting behavior; yes I believe he did.
It blows my mind that this happened in the way it's being presented by the media and in the social media circles. In my hunts to Africa the PH and services that I've used have been totally professional, ethical, and have a working relationship with the local game officials. Personally there is no way I would use a service that would conduct this hunt in the manner it was done.
BUT, now I have a bigger concern that has come about as a result of this hunt. There are anti hunting persons who are lighting up social media and even the network news over this. This morning I learned that this dentist had the address to his place of business posted online and he has had to close it do to threats against him.
Who's next the guy who frames houses for a living and gets his first 150 class white tail and post it on facebook? Is someone going to portray him as a bad person and call for him to be put out of business? It's sad that this country has gotten to the point that there is more concern over a dumba$$ who wasted his money and showed his inadequacies as a hunter; than there is about the homeless, uneducated, and veterans who struggle every day.
SM · 4 years ago
Wonder how he tasted? Grilled Cecil.
If anything was done illegally that should be on the guide.
Baiting is just fine in my opinion. I use bait and lures when fishing.
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