I am against killing for anything but self-defense and survival. Also take note that I am NOT FOR killing for self-defense and survival. If you actually get any sort of gratification from the taking of life you're a psychopath. We'd be well to do to expunge killing for self-gratification from the species.

The self-gratifying element does make sense however. Much like sex tends to be pleasurable to encourage procreation, it makes sense that other simple and survival-critical activities also bring some level of pleasure. What was once necessary and associated with reward is now a but pastime and indulgence in base instinct. The main problem is that unlike tending a garden or having a romp in the hay, trophy hunting is out specifically for the purpose of taking life; it has no other end in mind.

The excuse that it maintains balance is tendentious. Has our species really ever been a necessary element for nature to maintain balance? No, we upset it in such a way as to turn species into weeds. We encroach and then complain endlessly. I have heard the same excuse from people I know.

About the only common ground I can find with the outdoor sportsman is that they also want to preserve wild areas. The difference between myself and them is their viewing of it strictly as a target practice range.

[edit on 10/26/2009 by EnlightenUp]

What a disgusting picture!

I am a vegetarian myself, but I have no problems with people killing animals for food if it done responsibly and with with respect for nature, in fact I think it's a lot more honest than just going to the store & buying packaged meat.

But this is just a pure, egotistical trophy hunt like you pointed out.
Very sad...