'Exotic hunting' thrives in Texas

[sasha031]

As we bounce through the dusty undergrowth in a four-wheel drive, glimpsing rare antelope and even giraffes, we could be forgiven for thinking we are on safari in Africa - but we are not.


Hunting unusual species is a multi-million dollar industry

This is the YO ranch in Texas. Its website proudly claims it is a "Mecca for hunting", with more than 50 different species including endangered animals from all over the world.

A price list offers a huge choice of rare species charging up to $8,500 a kill.

It is one of a staggering 500 ranches in Texas alone that in recent years have switched from raising longhorn cattle to the far more profitable, multi-million-dollar industry known as "exotic hunting", where hunters compete for the largest and most unusual trophies to display on their walls.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4689428.stm

[DS1]

1. Why don't they just go all the way and hold sniper competitions

25 square miles, one week, one person comes out alive

[slackmaster]

2. Survivor: Sniper shootout

I love it!

[DS1]

6. Well, I suspect the camera crews and lighting would make

those very short competitions ;-)

[sasha031]

5. now your talking

[sui generis]

9. I'm all for that

BIG game hunting. Fat rich corn-fed republicans, raised in the Kyoto beef style, daily massages, pedicures, soothing music, KKK and Maxim mags, then run like hell, ker-pow, lights out.

Money goes to charity, body goes to biodiesel.

:evilgrin:

[tuckessee]

43. There already do.

There's an amusement park called "Iraq" where sadists & thugs can kill brown homosapiens with reckless abandon.

[ET Awful]

3. "We are preserving entire species here in Texas" . . . ummmm,

I may have missed something, but how is it that blowing something to smithereens constitutes "preserving entire species?"

[bryant69]

8. presumably they are breeding them?

Or they are lying.

Take your pick.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[jilln]

26. but then they're breeding them to kill ...

not putting them back in the wild. It's the same idiotic justification that Ringling Brothers uses - they're "saving the elephants", except they have not put a single one back into the wild. Lots end up in the circus though, where they die mysteriously.

[YOY]

4. In Eastern Europe I lived in a town that used to do the same for Russian

Officials visiting. They would get these rare species and basically put them in boxes near to where the Communist party visitors were stationed to hunt (things like Buffalo and Moose) and basically push them out of the box, semi-drugged of course, to the firing range to stumble about until the visiting communist comrades could blast them with little trouble.

A good time was had by all by most accounts. 20 years later a US Peace Corps volunteer couldn't stop rolling on the floor with laughter when heard about it.

This was in Razgrad, Bulgaria and it no longer happens there of course...beautiful lodges still there too!

[MercutioATC]

7. It's not reducing the total numbers...

I agree that "preserving the species" is a ridiculous argument, but I don't see it as a preservation issue if the species are being specifically raised to hunt. Whether this place exists or not, it has ZERO effect on the worldwide population of endangered species.

Actually (and I know this is a VERY thin argument) it may help to preserve endangered species in that a hunter doesn't have to illegally kill a wild endangered gazelle to get a trophy. He can legally get the trophy and the species is no worse off.

[mitchtv]

12. however, My understanding is that is not only

herbivores that are hunted, and they are not all bred on site. Many can come from the zoo trade, and purchased illegally ,(Not to be slaughtered) if this is the case, then there is a net loss to the populations. Nothing like shooting a turkey tied to the ground, so it can't run od shooting an older tiger,who has always looked at man to take care of him. The latest thing, of course, is shooting remotely on line.

[flamin lib]

15. Perhaps else where, but not at the YO. It's a ligitamate up front

business.

[MercutioATC]

16. That's a separate issue.

Should illegal purchasing/sales of animals be permitted? Of course not. However, if the animals are being raised specifically to hunt, I don't think it's a preservation issue.

I also agree that the way some "hunts" are conducted is hardle what most would consider sporting...it's esentially buying an animal to shoot. I have no idea if the place in the link is such a place or not.

[glitch]

10. These are the most insecure people in the world. With good reason.

Their inferiority complexes are well justified.

[jilln]

27. made me smile! nt

[GumboYaYa]

11. There is probably no better way to ensure the survival of these

species than to open them up to hunters. Hunters were the first conservationists. We can thank hunters for the wetlands we have managed to preserve in this country. The dems who vilify hunters are missing an opportunity to engage a natural ally in the fight to preserve the environment.

I hunt and have all my life. Most of the meat I eat is from wild animals. It is far more environmentally friendly than eating hamburgers and the such.

[ET Awful]

17. So, when was the last time you had a adax deer steak?

Sorry, I don't buy it.

I don't vilify hunters, I filify profiteers who import endangered species, put them in an enclosed environment, charge people to kill shose species and then pretend they're saving said species.

There's a vast difference between hunting and shooting fish in a barrel.

[bmbmd]

19. I've had axis deer

and blackbuck antelope. Delicious. Both species run wild in south and central Texas.

[ET Awful]

22. Once again, there's a vast difference between hunting and shooting

animals in an enclosed area that have nowhere to go.

Shooting fish in a barrel isn't hunting.

Feel free to delude yourself that it is, but just because you pretend doesn't make it so.

[GumboYaYa]

21. No doubt, I would never do a caged-release hunt.

Nevertheless, if the breeding and hunting programs are run properly, they can be a giant benefit to species preservation.

There is such a strong knee jerk anti-hunter reaction around here, that I thought it is important to remember the positive contributions hunters have made to the environment.

[ET Awful]

23. If this actually had anything to do with hunting, you might have a point.

But shooting animals in an enclosure isn't hunting. Saying you're "preserving" an endangered species by letting it breed then shooting it's offspring isn't "preservation."

If you want to save a species, you provide for breeding, then allow the offspring to breed, then allow the offspring from that generation to also breed. You don't let people pay you for the privelege of killing endangered species simply so they can hang an animals head on their wall.

That's not hunting.

[Bridget Burke]

24. An enclosed environment of 69,000 acres?

That's the YO Ranch, featured in this article. They have a long-range breeding program & offer wildlife tours as well as hunting.

Not to say there might be some scumbags in the business.

[ET Awful]

31. Mmmmhmmm, sorry, breeding endangered species in order to kill them

in order to save the species is kind of like destroying the village in order to save it.

Sorry, you can defend the indefensible as long as you like, it doesn't make it good and proper.

Would you be defending it if they were say killing pandas? It's the same thing. What about if they were blasting bald eagles with a shotgun? Same thing. California condors? Same thing.

You don't preserve species by putting them in enclosures and letting people kill them.

BTW, why do you imply that all the animals roam free in 69,000 acres, that's obviously not the case. That's like saying that since the San Diego Zoo covers thousands of acres, the lions live on a preserve of thousands of acres. It's an illogical and fallacious argument.

Killing endangered species doesn't preserve them any more than polluting the air constitues a clean skies initiative.

[AllegroRondo]

13. How much to bag a hobo?

[BushOut06]

40. It's Texas - shouldn't that be homo?

Coming soon to Texas, the Liberal Roundup! Yessiree, you'll be able to hunt liberals, homosexuals, blacks, jews, catholics, and tree-hugging hippies on our 100-acre preserve!

[flamin lib]

14. See Reply #11.

Without the revenues created by the hunting sport and outdoor industry many of the native American species would be in very bad shape. Don't throw stones unless you are doing at least as much as those who buy licenses and support habitat through outdoor sports, including making it possible to maintain habitat through for-profit hunting reserves.

It may not be you shtick but leave those who enjoy the sport and support the environment and habitat alone.

I no longer hunt (a two year stint in a green uniform back in 1969 sort of spoiled shooting at stuff for me) but I buy a license every year anyway.

[jilln]

28. IT'S NOT A SPORT

And you don't "harvest" animals. Making it sound like you're playing baseball and picking flowers doesn't fool anyone, hunters are killing and maiming animals for fun.

if they did the same thing to dogs, they would be felons.

[freethought]

30. Agreed! This is not a sport, it's more like "leisure activity"

These F_____G canned hunts are pure bullshit. When I started hunting whitetail deer many years ago, the point was to match wits with your game. And to get out of the house for some beer and poker.

To fill your tag you had to employ stealth, knowledge, and a little luck.

I have a seriously hard time with canned hunts, to me they are the ultimate example in lack of sportsmanship. Shoot and animal in a fenced reserve. Gee, what a challenge! It is likely that the animal will not even be butchered for the meat. Instead the head and cape will head right for the
taxidermist. Somehow, I find it wasteful.

Hunting and edangered animal? I kind of have a hard time with those who try to make an argument that this form of hunting can preserve endangered species. Protect and animal from the wild so you can kill it captively. IT does not make sense.

I had said to other hunters, if I had a chance to hunt any animal on earth, money no object, it would be the Cape Buffalo of Africa. It is not endangered. Meat could be given away as food. And it is dangerous game, a hunter would need some smarts to take one of these animals. They could wind up getting killed otherwise.

[misanthrope]

35. How much skill...

...is involved in habituating an animal to come to a certain spot for food, then sitting (hungover and half-drunk) in a tree stand over that spot and using a weapon you purchased to blow that animal away?

Matching skills and wits? You track down a deer all on your own and use a weapon you made completely with your own hands to kill it, then we'll call it a true contest of skill.

[GumboYaYa]

34. Many hunters are some of the most aware environmentalists you will

ever encounter. Most people who I know who hunt on a regular basis would die before allowing a lumber company to clear cut a forest or a developer to fillin a wetlad. They understand that man is part of nature and not separate from it. For many the experience of being in the woods or on the water is spiritual.

You guys do a great disservice to a lot of really good people by painting with the broad brush you use so easily. The ability to reach out to hunters is the reason a Dem won the governorship in Montana.

I helped run a congressional campaign here in Missouri where one of our biggest supporters was Adolphous Busch, a traditionally staunch Republican. Why did he get behind our campaign? He is an avid hunter and we took a strong position on wetlands preservation.

[ET Awful]

36. What does shooting endangered species in captivity have to do

with hunting?

[Botany]

18. This just sick

and I deer hunt to. To bring in drugged animals that are not native and to have them in
a fenced area so some sick bastard can kill them is just wrong on some many levels.

I support the right to arm bears.

[Bridget Burke]

20. The YO Ranch also has wildlife tours....

It's a working ranch & has a large longhorn herd. Hunters pay plenty--but it appears that not all the Exotic animals may be hunted.

www.yoranch.com/

Accomodations appear to be on the rustic side. But it's in a pretty part of the State.

[ET Awful]

32. I can show you pretty resorts in Africa, does that make it okay to

kill white rhinos?

[Bridget Burke]

39. Please, tell me what endangered species are being killed....

At the YO ranch?

I'm not a hunter, but I'm not Vegan, either.

[ET Awful]

44. Did you read the article?

Maybe if you go back and actually read the article, you'll understand.

The schimitar-horned oryx is, in fact, endangered, as are the dama gazelle and the addax all are available for massacre to anyone who has the money to spend.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

25. George W. Bush accepted the "Governor Of The Year" award in 1999

from Safari Club International, when he was Governor of Texas. Safari Club International is perhaps the world's foremost advocate of canned hunting and trophy hunting. Bush was honored by this organization because the State of Texas became the canned hunting capital of the world while Bush was Governor.

George's Dad, George H.W. Bush actually went to the Safari Club International's annual banquet in 1999 to accept the award on his son's behalf. These annual banquets of the Safari Club are truly disgusting affairs. My uncle, who was a well-known chef in Denver used to be hired as their chef when they had the annual dinners in Denver, Colorado back in the 1960s. He said that they had such game as python, lion, elephant, rhinoceros, etc. I still have a copy of one of his menus that was prepared for the many Safari Club members, featuring many exotic animals. My uncle said the worst part were the live spider monkeys in cages that he had to kill. He said they screamed like children when he killed them and that their cooked meat smelled like urine. I don't understand why these people get off on killing and eating tiger and other endangered species. My uncle had to quit doing these dinners as the hired chef because he just couldn't take it.

George Bush's acceptance of their award to me is a sign that he simply doesn't care about animals.

[Swamp Rat]

29. Kill baby pandas for only 8 thousand dollars in Texas!

[AtomicKitten]

33. OK, this subject makes my blood boil

This and canned hunts should be OUTLAWED!!!!! Disgusting.

I think we should begin canned hunts of pasty-faced, flaccid Republicans. I'd pony up big bucks to dispatch one of those jackasses.

[flvegan]

37. It's not hunting. It's shooting and killing, and these animals have

no means of escape. "Canned hunting" isn't even respected by most "sportsmen" that shoot, kill and eat their targets. If these folks really want to bag something different, tell 'em to enlist. Oh, wait...they shoot back. My bad.

[OneBlueSky]

38. sick, sick, sick m'fers . . . n/t

.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

41. Do they give the animals blindfolds before the executions called "sport"?

[BushOut06]

42. I like the idea, but let's tweak it just a little bit

Instead of gazelles, giraffes, and other non-threatening animals, let's stock the ranch with lions, tigers, leopards, water buffalo, and other animals that can kill. Then let's equip the hunters with only a .22 sidearm, a bow & arrow (limit 1 arrow per hunter), and a Swiss Army knife.