How can i explain to my boyfriend that hunting is bad?

I'm a vegetarian and major into animal rights, as is my mother. My boyfriend hunts and it really bothers me that he can hurt a poor innocent deer, squirrel, etc. I told him how I felt about it and he was like, It keeps the deer population down! It...

really makes me sad that he tries and shoots a poor innocent animal.

Is there anyway I can convince him to stop, or explain to him why it's bad?

Does it make you sad when a poor innocent person is driving down the road and loses their life to a dumb animal that runs out in front of them? I'm pretty sure deer kill more people than people kill them. Look it up I'm pretty sure that's a fact. Long as your boyfriend is killing the animals and eating them I don't see why you would be upset. Just because you yourself don't enjoy eating meat products doesn't mean other people don't. He respects that you're a vegetarian you should respect that he is a different than you in some ways and likes his meat.

if you realy like him you wont try to change him. how would feel it if he was constently trying to get you to do somthing that you dont want to. he doesnt want to give up hunting just like you dont want to give up being a vegitarian. and if you knew he did somthing that you so strongly dissagree with why did you start going out with him. oh and just to let you know im against hunting too

I don't want him to change first of all. Second of all, you better get your facts straight because deers are ran over more during hunting season because they're trying to flee from hunters! =[

Also, he's always trying to get me to eat meat, so why can't I try to get him to stop hunting?! It's fair!

it sound like you two are to different. why dont you just let him go. and why get mad at me I didnt say anything bad?

Not mad at you, mad at the other dude.

I would never let my boyfriend go. Hunting is the only thing we don't have in common and disagree about. I love him more than anything, even if he does hunt. It just really bothers me, and I know it's not his fault he does it, as it's one of the only things that brings him and his father together. I just hate when people hunt as it's made so many animals go extinct. He knows that I'm really into animals and stuff, which he's fine with. I'm even doing my debate project on how we could've saved the baiji dolphin in China. I just find hunting repulsive and I know it's going to be hard for my mum and g-ma to except also.

Why would you want to interfere with course of human nature??? It is man's nature to hunt this is how we have survived since as long as we have been here. Why would you consider human survival a bad thing? Even if your boyfriend didn't go hunting he would still be eating meat someone else killed. If this is really such a big issue for you break up with him.

You people don't understand anything! My boyfriend and I have everything in common besides this! Breaking up is not an option! I love him! I know humans hunt and sh1t. But for sport! It's not like he's eating the meat! He's doing it for the pleasure of killing something! They're not even using the meat!

well you should have said that earlier, your boyfriend is definitely stupid and probably a psychopath I suggest breaking up with him before he hunts YOU!

well, if he was into hunting before you met, then its probably something you should have thought about then
you probably cant get him to stop
but try and explain that killing animals for sport, just for the fun of it...is wrong
theres really no need for them to die
unless hes actually going to be eating the animal, or using its skin, ect
and he needs to respect your vegetarian decision
youd probably find the though of eating meat disgusting
and really dont want to put a dead animal in your mouth
this is your choice, he cant force you to eat it
tell him exactly why your a vegetarian and it might make him understand a bit more

Hunting animals is not rite... I know its sad... but you can do one thing... tell him frankly that you have a concern and tell him very calmy that you dont like him to hunt... and tell him why u don't like him to hunt... tell him you care for him and for animals and how passionate you are abt animals... and rest is his wish if he wants to listen to you or not. but you should take a chance to express your concern dear... and lets c how he reacts...remember not to be harsh... but tell him very casually... Thts all. wats say?

he is doing it for pleasure? thts stupid! grrr...
who can get fun outa killing sumthing... ok... is he is so passionate abt hunting.. let him go to sports or clubs wr you have shooting games etc... there is an alternative ok? and let him not force you eat meat.. its your choice... if you guys love each other so much then you guys shud be knwing to understand each othe too...

I can see where your coming from. I myself am an animal rights activist.
Its not fair I agree, that poor deer etc. get hunt for pleasure. They cant defend them selves.
Just because we are bigger and stronger, doesnt make it fair.
I'm sorry, im not trying to force my opinions on anyone, but this is what I really believe in.
As for how to convince him, there is one thing.
You could show him how truly defenseless they are. show him that they are innocent beings not put her for our pleasure.
Good luck to you.

I dont think that its fair that he goes arounding hunting animals when your a vegetarian and its obviousely upsetting yoou I eat meat but not deer or squirrel. but by hunting the deer it does reduce the deer population which is good. just talk to him and tell him how you feel and if he still doesent listen to you then talk to him again and say that could he not hunt so much and that he does every once in a while . I hope I've helped you : )

I don't agree with hunting animals for sport either, except in the case where animals are a pest, doing more harm than good. For example, in New Zealand bush, Possums are everywhere, and they strip the trees bare. However, their fur is now being used for clothing products, so there is something else useful being produced from it.

Perhaps you can try explaining to him that , unless there is something solid to be gained from his 'sport' of hunting deer, there's no way you could ever support it.

You really can't change anyone. Everyone is a package deal. Anyone you meet will have aspects that you don't like. It could be that some day your guy will come around to your way of thinking on his own but chances are he won't so don't count on it.

Your boyfriend might be asking his friends, How can I convince my girlfriend that hunting isn't bad?

As an animal right's activist, I would never be with someone who hunted for fun. But that is me and you have made a different decision. So, let's go from there.
Unless your boyfriend is an excellent marksman, then the animal is not being killed instantly. It suffers. It tries to drag itself into the brush for protection and to die. Then your boyfrind goes after it, to finish it off. I guess since he is not using it for food, he either leaves it there to rot or skins it for a trophy.

Okay, sorry, can't get past this. You must be very young or very immature to stay with someone who behaves this way. If you really care about animals and think that hunting is wrong, you will dump this trophy killer.

I do not support hunting. But to hunt and eat the prey is one thing, to hunt and kill for sport and not eat the prey is another.

If you were actually major into animal rights you would not accept his behavior.

***I don't want him to change first of all. Second of all, you better get your facts straight because deers are ran over more during hunting season because they're trying to flee from hunters!***

Actually, hunting season only last a couple of months...I dodge deer 12 months a year every single day going to and from work...they cause SO many accidents that Fish and Game are thinking of culling them within the city limits.

You are never going to convince him to quit hunting...only HE will decide that...as they say, veginism is a personal choice...as is eating meat. Personal means oneself...not onself and one other...

Considering that you have nothing else to fight about...I'd drop the subject knowing that I was FAR luckier than most couples (who usually can find a multitude of things to fight about)...

p

well if he doesnt kill too many deer and he eats them its ok. if he just kills them for sport...THEN THATS BAD!!! I have heard of people shooting doves for fun. I hope your boyfriend doesnt do that. but anyway if hes just doing it for fun and not eating them...show him vidoes of poor animals being shot down away from their families for sport. tell him animals are beings too. LIVING BEINGS THAT HAVE FEELINGS! GOD MADE THEM! IM PRETTY SURE HE DOESNT WANT THEM BEING KILLED OFF JUST FOR PLEASURE! tell him...its their world too. it belongs to them and us. (actually animals were made before humans) goodluck.

Show him Bambi. Haha, show him how the poor baby animals feel without there parents because they have been killed.
Even if it is a cartoon, it might still show him something.
Bye.

Those who are animal activists. I am also one, I've talked to you and found out he's never killed anything, but attempted, which I'm still edgy about, but I'm glad he hasn't made a poor animal suffer. Also, since I've talked to him, things have come up and he is no longer allowed to be at his dad's at night or be there overnight, so no more hunting. He has switched to air-softing and is no longer hunting. =] Thanks to those who helped.

-Aria