Hunting Sense

In 2005, Texas rancher John Lockwood had an idea for the next step in internet interactivity. Live-Shot.com would bring big game hunting to the computers of internet users everywhere.

The idea was that a user could sign onto his website, and through the use of a camera and remote controlled rifle mounted to a tripod, could shoot an animal on his game ranch for a hefty price tag. The animal would then be processed and shipped by mail to the ‘virtual hunter’.

Needless to say, the idea met with a flurry of protest from both non-hunters and hunters alike. Before it even really began, Live-Shot.com was shut down by the Texas legislature. Two years later, the concept of internet hunting is still a major concern, even though no other operation of it’s type has been started.

Twenty-five states have considered legislation that would seek to ban the activity, with at least twelve actually passing the measure. A few of the states who have considered it and/or passed it in 2007 are: Delaware, Idaho, Alaska, Arkansas, and Oregon. It seems states across the US are taking a pre-emptive strike against the practice and they have received both praise and criticism for doing so.

While many people ask why concentrate on something that hasn’t happened, many others realize it’s easier to stop something that hasn’t started yet. Why give the opportunity for this ill-conceived and un-ethical practice to begin in the first place? It’s not only un-sportsman like, but also a slap in the face to the proud heritage and tradition of hunting.

It’s refreshing to see lawmakers actually being pro-active on something, instead of the usual sitting on hands until things get out of control that normally happens. It may just be a start, but it’ll be interesting to see if this trend could continue on to other issues besides just internet hunting. I wouldn’t hold my breath, but one can always dream, right?

hunting, internet hunting, click and kill, virtual hunting, legislation, Live-Shot.com, ethics