Cecil The Lion

[seabast]

It wasn't illegal to shoot that lion. The controversy is, was he far enough from the park or not where it baited it and when he shot it the first time. It seems like you can't hunt right at the edge of the park, but at a certain distance there is no issue.
I have the feeling he knew who it was shooting at and didn't care about the consequences.

[werner.reiche]

My understanding is the landowner whose property the lion was shot on did not have a "quota for lions".

[300Sniper]

My understanding is the landowner whose property the lion was shot on did not have a "quota for lions".

That's I I read it as well...

[terrym]

Quite a bit of hunting on Africa is in enormous mostly fenced areas. Sounds to me all those involved knew exactly they were pulling a fast one. Likely happens more than they ever admit. They just happened to shoot a lion that was wearing a radio tracking collar. When hunting an animal comes with such a high price tag it brings out the worst in people.

[Gobbler_Hunter7]

I just find it interesting that because this particular lion was collared and being tracked by Oxford that it's a HUGE news story but if buddy shot a lion without a collar and no reputation amongst the locals, no one would ever hear about it on the news or social media nor would anyone really care. I'm not the biggest believer in "trophy hunting" but I recognize individuals do this. Social media takes news stories and explodes them over the media channels fueling people's minds with "every hunter is a terrible human being" that's what grinds my gears.

[duckbnot]

I just find it interesting that because this particular lion was collared and being tracked by Oxford that it's a HUGE news story but if buddy shot a lion without a collar and no reputation amongst the locals, no one would ever hear about it on the news or social media nor would anyone really care. I'm not the biggest believer in "trophy hunting" but I recognize individuals do this. Social media takes news stories and explodes them over the media channels fueling people's minds with "every hunter is a terrible human being" that's what grinds my gears.

it's interesting that many of the bashing posts I've been reading are related to "trophy hunting" and not hunting in general.

[Gobbler_Hunter7]

it's interesting that many of the bashing posts I've been reading are related to "trophy hunting" and not hunting in general.

I've read that as well but there are many on various sources that bash hunting in general too.

[GoldenLakePete]

Did he not see the collar before he shot.

Apparently it was at night with lights - with a bow. I heard crossbow but in other photos he was using a compound bow.

What really bother me is that it took them (the report claimed) 40 hours to track down and finish off the poor lion (with a rifle). Gives archers a black eye.

[dutchhunter]

you have to take that with a grain of salt ,,,I am sure the truth will come out ,and I can see it being hard to see a collar on a full mane lion .I may well be that the guide and pro new what was going on ,but if what thy say about it being after dark and with lights I can see the hunter not seeing a collar ,,Dutch

[KMG Canada]

Obviously I am watching this unfold with great interest having just returned from Zimbabwe last Sunday. I have seen so many things posted online and in the press it is hard to tell what the truth is. Bottom line - no permit = illegal hunt. Like everything else nowadays this has been tried in social media and when the real verdict comes out it will be a mere byline. Some sad things are that they keep referring to him as a hunter and not a poacher if he did what they say he did, paints all of us hunters with the same brush. The damage to the hunting industry could be incredible and a major setback for conservation through hunting. It also illustrates that you must know who you are booking with for a hunt. You wouldn't book a caribou, bear or moose hunt here and not do some research, same goes for over there. The antis are having a field day with this ...

Illustrated with statements like: '"If, as has been reported, this dentist and his guides lured Cecil out of the park with food so as to shoot him on private property ... he needs to be extradited, charged, and, preferably, hanged," People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said in a statement Wednesday. The statement, emailed to The Associated Press, came from Ingrid Newkirk, president of the animal rights organization.'

I always keep the following pic with me whenever the antis start to bash hunting. It always comes down to facts vs emotions.

Kenya.jpg