A legislative proposal to allow the state’s five fenced deer-hunting preserves to stay in business hit a roadblock on Thursday.
Senate President Pro Tempore David Long, R-Fort Wayne, told reporters he would quash efforts to legalize what critics decry as “canned hunts.”
“It’s not hunting. It’s not sporting,” Long said. “... I don’t think it’s a good idea for Indiana.”
Long compared the regulations preventing hunters from shooting deer trapped behind fences to laws prohibiting dog fights. He said his position against the practice was solidified when shown an “appalling” video by Republican Sen. Michael Crider, a former Indiana conservation officer. Long said the video showed “docile” farm-raised deer being shot by hunters paying $20,000 for the privilege.
Agreed, hunting "docile farm-raised" deer isn't exactly sporting, but I'm not sure about the comparison to dog fighting. People who watch or conduct such spectacles are reveling in cruelty. Yes, these hunters want to kill living things, but wanting it to be a little easier to do doesn't quite reach the level of depravity of getting off on seeing dogs tear each other apart. Unless, of course, you're a vegetarian of the Arlo Guthrie school and don't believe in eating "burnt, dead animals." If so, you may now wag your finger at me, too.
