Congressman Cohen Introduces Canned Hunting Legislation

“Throughout my legislative career, animal rights has always been one of my highest priorities, and I’ve worked hard in the U.S. Congress to pass laws that protect and respect animals,” said Congressman Cohen. “I was proud to introduce this legislation today along with Congressmen Sherman and Whitfield, and I am thankful for their help in formulating this effective, necessary legislation. Canned hunts are a cruel and unsporting practice of killing tame, exotic animals within the confines of an enclosure where the animals have no chance of escape. It’s contrary to principles of fair chase, sportsmanship and common decency, and I am confident that this Congress will support my legislation.”

At more than 1,000 commercial “captive hunt” operations around the country, trophy hunters pay a fee to shoot confined exotic mammals – from zebra to blackbuck antelope – in fenced enclosures. A facility in Texas even allowed their clients to kill animals remotely via the Internet. The prospective web “hunters” could sign up through a website, pay a user fee, and with a click of the mouse shoot a remote rifle. Captive hunting ranches offer guaranteed trophies and typically advertise as “no kill, no pay.” The animals on these hunting ranches have often lived their lives being fed by hand and thus have little or no fear of humans, making them easy targets.

Twenty-four states have already passed a full or partial ban on captive hunts, and 38 states have banned hunting via the Internet. However, regulation of the transport and treatment of captive exotic mammals for captive hunts falls outside the traditional domains of state regulatory bodies.

"Canned hunting is not a real sport and it is as abhorrent as it is inhumane. There really is no hunting involved, and in the name of basic decency, it should be prohibited," said Congressman Sherman. “Furthermore, the idea that someone can kill an animal with the click of a mouse from the comfort of their own home is revolting. No real sportsman would be a party to it.”

“Shooting an animal thousands of miles away with the click of a mouse or the stroke of a keyboard, or shooting a tame zebra trapped in the corner of a fence, isn’t hunting,” said Michael Markarian, chief operating officer of The HSUS. “The Humane Society of the United States is very grateful to Representatives Cohen, Sherman, and Whitfield for introducing this important legislation, and we urge responsible hunters who care about sportsmanship and fair chase to join us in working toward its passage.”

This legislation would not limit the hunting of wild mammals that are not kept in fenced areas, nor would it affect the hunting of birds. Additionally, the legislation does not attempt to prohibit slaughterhouse activities, and does not aim to prohibit the routine euthanasia of domesticated farm animals.

“We oppose captive and Internet hunting because these operations lack any element of ‘fair chase’ and run afoul of commonly held hunting ethics,” added Congressman Cohen. “These ‘captive hunts’ are out of step with common principles governing responsible hunting.”

Hunting groups like Boone & Crockett, Pope & Young, and the Izaak Walton League are vocal in their opposition to captive hunting and groups such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Safari Club International (SCI) are opposed to Internet hunting.

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Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, 202-225-3265
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, 202-225-3265