Rain Smith at Times-News offers a video report on a 64.5 acre hunting preserve in Grainger County, which is awaiting final approval from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Owner of Clinch Mountain Hunting Adventures, Robert Haun advertises on his website hunts between $650 and $10,000 (depending on species.) Allegedly, Haun has booked several customers. (Doesn’t pre-booking seem a little presumptuous considering TWRA has yet to give the project a nod?)
Anyway, Haun goes on to explain that he established the business in order to have a place to hunt, as many wooded areas he frequented as a youth are no longer available. I mean – Gosh Darn It – on the 63,000 acres of public hunting lands not to mention the private acreage owners make available, you can hardly find a place to bag a zebra or a boar anymore.
Of course, the appeal of offering exotic breeds is there’s no established hunting season. Although there are regulations as far as stocking and the animals are subject to testing for Chronic Wasting Disease, by offering up elk, zebras and watusi (the cow not the dance) Haun stays in business year-round.
But the “canned hunt” operation isn’t going over well with folks in the area. I didn’t think it would. Around here, we tend to be hunting snobs. We have this theory that hunting fenced-in animals, which have been fed/baited by humans somehow gives the hunter an unfair advantage and is therefore unethical. (I should mention that state law prohibits hunting where bait has been placed to feed or attract wildlife unless the bait has been removed at least 10 days prior to hunting – but still…)
Haun challeges those who allege the operation is “shooting fish in a barrel” to come out and look around. (At the same time, if a customer comes away empty handed, he offers them a full refund.)
Anyway, neighbors and other opponents have started a petition online (www.freewebs.com/givethemachance) and are looking for others across the region to join their fight.
You couldn’t have said it better! I live not far from this idiotic and inhumane place in Grainger County, Tennessee. I don’t think next instead of running zoos..and taking our children to see these beautiful creatures we’ll just resort to taking our guns out and taking our children on a Zebra and Wild / Exotic animal hunt instead!!
Please folks!! The only reason this guy is getting away with it is because our local politicians give him a permit and thus get rich themselves by letting this inmorale disgusting establishments go on.
He’s also already started booking these hunts and out of country hunters are coming here for there easy “In The Bag” African safari excursion!!
Simply sick!! I don’t want my county to be on the map for that type of “Beauty” .. I moved from California to Tennessee for a better life for my children, the morals, values and the beauty of this county and state!! NOT THIS!!
We should strap a Zebra suit on Mr.Haun and him take a “Run” for it and “Mount” his head on our wall as the next TROPHY!!!
I’ve already signed several petitions and urge people to do the same!!! Someone has to stand up for these poor , defensive animals!! Instead of the almighty green dollar!!