Main content

Hunting

Why do we hunt? Why kill animals when we no longer need to do so to eat? Lucy Ash joins a deer hunt and talks to trophy and leisure hunters to ask, what’s the thrill?

Why do we hunt? In some societies hunting is necessary to get food, but why do those who can buy meat in a shop go out hunting? Do they like to kill? Or is there something else at play? Lucy Ash talks to hunters from Canada, South Africa, the US and Scotland, who between them have killed animals ranging from deer to elephants, to ask them why they do it.

She finds out that the majority of hunters don’t actually like the act of killing, but hunt because they enjoy the adrenaline-fuelled tracking, or being out in nature with heightened senses, or simply to provide for their families in a way they find much more satisfying than simply buying meat in a grocery store. And then there are some reasons that go deeper.

(Photo: A hunter with this dog and a deer)

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Mon 4 Jan 2016 14:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • New Year's Day 2016 20:32GMT
  • New Year's Day 2016 21:32GMT
  • Mon 4 Jan 2016 02:32GMT
  • Mon 4 Jan 2016 03:32GMT
  • Mon 4 Jan 2016 04:32GMT
  • Mon 4 Jan 2016 05:32GMT
  • Mon 4 Jan 2016 07:32GMT
  • Mon 4 Jan 2016 13:32GMT
  • Mon 4 Jan 2016 14:32GMT

Get the podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes for free

Why do we look the way we do?

Tattoos, trainers, jeans, hair, ties ... why?

Podcast