Humane Groups Urge Tennessee to Put the Lid on Captive Hunting

August 5, 2008

Wildlife Resources Agency Urged to Stop Issuing New Permits

The Humane Society of the United States and the Grainger County Humane Society today called on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to immediately halt the issuance of permits for captive shoot facilities, also known as "canned hunts," following public outrage over the opening of a new operation on Dry Valley Road in Grainger County, Tenn.

Captive shoot customers pay to shoot tame, exotic animals inside fenced enclosures. Captive shoots offer a variety of animals for easy trophies ranging from Addax antelope to zebra.

"Shooting animals trapped within a fenced enclosure and calling yourself a sportsman is like hiring an escort service and calling yourself a ladies' man," said Leighann McCollum, The HSUS's Tennessee state director. "The time has come for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to put a stop to captive shooting."

"This practice isn't hunting," said Carolyn Seaman, president of the Grainger County Humane Society. "Canned hunting violates the very basic principles that hunters profess. There is no sportsmanship in shooting confined animals for a fee."

Facts

• Although advertised under a variety of names — most frequently "game ranches" or "shooting preserves" — captive shoots violate the hunting community's standard of "fair chase" by confining animals to cages or fenced enclosures.
• The animals in captive shooting facilities are bred in captivity, purchased from animal dealers or, in some cases, retired from roadside zoos and circuses, so they do not fear contact with humans and make easy targets.
• Captive shoots are illegal or restricted in 23 states. The HSUS tracks individual state statutes and regulations, which are viewable at humanesociety.org/cannedhuntsmap.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.