I love how animal rights groups are called ‘conservation’ groups or ‘wildlife advocates’. They should be called ‘Groups That Mislead The Public About Hunting To Make A Buck’. I recently read an article from the Environmental News Service . It reported that,

The Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Big Wildlife and the Alaska Wildlife Alliance say eBay auction sales of guided trophy hunts put the survival of these species at greater risk.

In a letter sent Wednesday to eBay chief executive John Donahoe, the groups said, “the company’s promotion of hunting these animals is adding to the many threats these species face.”

“Have the lives of Canada’s grizzly bears, wolves and other large carnivores become so cheapened by the purveyors of trophy hunting that selling an opportunity to kill one is now as commonplace as trying to unload a kitchen appliance or baseball cards on eBay?” asked Chris Genovali, executive director of the British Columbia based Raincoast Conservation Foundation. Entire Article Here

First of all, we are not talking about contributing to the illegal ivory trade or the shooting of illegal animals. These ‘wildlife advocates’ should not dictate what type of legal items, trips or holidays are sold on eBay. Especially, when they are of interest to many North Americans. The animals that are killed are all part of scientific wildlife management plans for the provinces and states that offer the hunts. Plans that make sure the animals are not endangered. The term trophy hunting is an attempt by these groups in an attempt to put a negative spin on hunting.

If a wildlife management plan includes that ‘x’ amount of bears are to be killed, then why does it matter where the legal hunter that shoots it comes from. Hunting accounts for a small percentage of animals that are killed in a province’s wildlife management plan. It is NOT the threat animal rights group claim. Things, like houses, malls, parking lots, highways and human development player the largest role in the demise of our wildlife.

The animals are not left to rot after they have been shot. I think by calling it ‘trophy hunting’, theses animal rights groups are trying to paint the pictures that these animals are wasted. In Ontario, it is illegal to shoot any game animal and leave it to waste. It must be processed in timely manner so as to not ruin the meat for consumption.

If bears or any other game animal becomes endangered, this hunter would be the first to say let’s stop hunting and re-evaluate the tools used to determine a sustainable harvest. Until then, eBay should not keep legal hunting opportunities off it’s pages.

eBay, Wildlife Management