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Why We Need the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that there are more than 1,000 captive hunting ranches in at least two dozen states. On these operations—which range in size from one acre to more than 10,000—participants shoot confined animals for a fee, many in "no kill, no pay" arrangements. Gazelles sell for $800 to $3,500; oryx, $5,000, and Corsican sheep, $500. The more exotic the animals—Eld's deer, for instance, at $10,000—the higher the price.

H.R. 2308, the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act, would make it illegal to knowingly transfer, transport or possess in interstate or foreign commerce a confined exotic mammal "for the purpose of allowing the killing or injuring of that animal for entertainment or the collection of a trophy...."

Because of the interstate trafficking of exotic animals to supply captive hunting operations, it is fitting and appropriate for the Congress to crack down on these operations.

Key Points of the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act

The Sportsmanship in Hunting Act would have no impact on the hunting of indigenous wildlife. States would continue to manage traditional hunting.
The bill covers only exotic mammals, those who are not "historically indigenous to the United States." Birds such as doves, pheasants and mallard ducks, as well as native mammals such as white-tail deer and bears, are not covered by the bill.
It protects exotic mammals that have been confined—those "held in captivity for the shorter of (A) the greater part of the animal's life; or (B) a period of one year."
Exotic mammals living as they would in the wild or on large preserves would not be covered by the legislation (though the ethics of hunting such animals is still debatable). According to the legislation, the period of captivity would not include any time when the animal "(A) lives as it would in the wild, surviving primarily by foraging for naturally occurring food, roaming at will over an open area of at least 1,000 acres [approximately 1.5 square miles]; and (B) has the opportunity to avoid hunters."

See the Video

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State Statutes and Regulations on Captive Hunting

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