Captive hunts, also known as “canned hunts,” are the very opposite of fair chase. Shooters at captive hunts pay to kill animals—even endangered species—trapped behind fences.
Animals from breeders, dealers, and even zoos or circuses may end up at captive hunts. Often the animals are hand-raised and bottle-fed, so they aren't afraid of people.
The animals are often accustomed to being fed in certain areas at regular intervals—and shooters will be there waiting. Captive hunts are so unsporting that hunting groups like Boone & Crockett, Pope & Young, and the Izaak Walton League oppose them. Captive hunts also threaten cattle and wildlife with disease, while the owners earn big fees.
There are more than a thousand captive hunts in this country.
Animal Planet Exposes Captive Hunts
If you missed the "Animal Planet Investigates" segment devoted to an HSUS investigation of captive hunts, you can see some of our undercover footage at the link below.
Learn MoreNews & Events
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October 7, 2014
Indiana Study Committee Votes to Support Captive Hunting
The introduction of legislation to legalize captive hunting operations has been recommend by the Indiana Legislature’s Interim Study Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
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March 18, 2014
Indiana’s Animal Advocates Celebrate Defeat of Two Harmful Bills
With the close of Indiana’s legislation session, animal advocates celebrate the defeat of two bills that would have been harmful to animals:
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February 14, 2014
North Carolina Considers Allowing Reckless Practice of Bear Baiting
North Carolina black bears could be subjected to the unnecessary, unsporting and inhumane practice of bear baiting, in which bears are lured by piles of food for an easy kill. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is considering a proposal to authorize bear baiting, which is generally prohibited in the state. The Humane Society of the United States and hundreds of North Carolina residents submitted comments urging the commission to keep bear baiting out of the Tar Heel state.
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February 5, 2014
Indiana Senate Votes Down Captive Hunting Bill
The Indiana Senate shot down legislation that would legalize captive hunting operations. S.B. 404 would have allowed privately-owned facilities to stock deer and elk for trophy-seekers, letting them pay to shoot the semi-tame animals trapped in enclosures for guaranteed kills.
