A View to a Kill: Are today’s TV hunting shows ethical?

Remember when hunting shows weren’t snuff films? I miss the good old days, when the camera would pan back to the hunter before the shot was made. The cameraman would then position himself near the downed animal and we would get to watch the hunter approach his kill. All very tasteful and ethical, in my opinion.

To me, the kill is something that should be between the hunter and the animal. Watching waterfowl somersault through the air after being shot or slow-motion replays of an arrow going through a deer is something I can live without. The endzone-worthy celebrations and high-fives create an image of callousness that I have yet to see in any real hunter I have ever met in the field. These shows are doing us a great disservice. The non-hunting general public likely agrees.

It all comes down to respect for the animal that is being hunted. For the hunters I know, the kill is a mix of celebration, sadness, and humility. We all celebrate at some point, but respectfully — a handshake, a pat on the back, even a prayer.

What lessons do these shows teach young hunters just starting out? That hunting is about going to the Lazy Hunter Ranch and sitting in a stand that someone else has scouted out for the past 10 deer seasons? Most people don’t hunt that way, yet that’s what kids see on TV. How about an episode on doe hunting on public land? Too boring for audiences, I’m sure.

So, TV hosts, please back off on the impact shots and high-fives for the good of our sport. Hunting is a bloodsport, and serious business. If you want to whoop and holler everytime you shoot something, try paintball. In the meantime, I will keep surfing past the outdoor networks for Scrubs reruns and Top Model.

What are your thoughts about these shows?