League of Humane Voters of New York City

Canned shoots consist of the practice of killing captive, tame animals on enclosed property. Large fees are paid for a guaranteed kill. Many of these animals are originally purchased from zoos or game farms or bred at the facility. They are familiar with people and may even amble over to lick the hand of the shooter. Because the animals are used as trophies, a shot to the head, producing a quicker kill is avoided and the terrified animal is instead riddled with bullets or arrows in other parts of the body resulting in a long torturous death.

Currently, NYS canned shoots are banned for non-native animals and only if the facility is on 10 acres or less. However canned shoot property regularly covers several hundred acres at a minimum. Whether on 10 acres or thousands of acres, the shooters A guide knows where the animals are located and escorts the customer to them. In many situations the animals trot to the vehicle expecting to be fed as usual. They have been banned in many other states Even hunters find canned shoots disgusting. In fact, the Boone and Crockett Club in Montana and the Pope and Young Club in Minnesota, which maintain trophy records for big game hunting, will not consider animals shot at canned shoots for inclusion on their record lists.

The late Jerry Orbach, who played the detective on the television series “Law and Order” described the activity as like shooting animals in a zoo. Mary Tyler Moore noted that it is as sporting as shooting puppies and kittens in a pet store.