More than the kill: hunters' relationships with landscape and prey

Abstract

Through a discussion of the perceptions of hunters within a New Zealand tourism context, this article explores how different perspectives of the ‘connection’ between hunter and prey are performed by participants and analysed by scholars using distinct ethical approaches. It attempts to contribute to the conversation about hunting ethics within the tourism and recreation fields by discussing the limitations of environmental ethical positions involved in analysing hunters' narratives and performances while engaging with their prey. An analysis of the sublime environment in which the hunting performance takes place proves to be central to the discussion of this sensual engagement with the hunted animal. It is argued that the contradictory feelings that sometimes prevail within hunters when it comes to the relationship between loving and killing must be considered in this kind of research and that some hunting practices are undoubtedly a way to feel close to, and engaged with, the target animals that are offered respect. Hunting expressions as dynamic cultural performances serve to generate fruitful discussions, contributing to an understanding of broader tourist relationships with nonhuman animals and the ethical issues involved in hunting practices.

Keywords:

• hunting
• environment
• ethics
• sublime landscape
• tourism
• New Zealand

Notes

The importance of travelling time to the travel/tourism experience has been remarked by several authors (for a recent account see Watts & Urry, 2008).

Note that the names used throughout this article are not, for obvious ethical reasons, the names of the actual hunters whom I met on the island. Instead, pseudonyms were used to ensure that these people are seen and understood by readers as ordinary individuals.