Let me open this up by saying that I am a hunter. Do not expect me to completely bash one of the most traditional and privileged sports one may have the pleasure of taking part in. This was a shameful act and one that made the sport of hunting look barbaric and cruel. This is certainly not the case of how hunters really are and to generalize the situation is not fair. This is an isolated case of one hunter going rogue and making a bad decision.

Why do I say hunting is a sport of tradition and privilege? Well, you can trace hunting back to the first humans. It is also one of the most natural sports still around, and one that was a necessary skill for survival before modern farming came along. This sport is a privilege because not all people get to experience the natural joy that comes from putting food on the table you worked for yourself. It is also a privilege because it can be taken away by state or local governments.

Permits are issued on the basis that the hunter accepts and acknowledges the responsibilities that come with hunting. They are by no means avoidable when you begin to take part in the sport. These responsibilities include: never taking more than you need, leaving your hunting ground better than you found it, and most importantly you are to never kill an animal that: 1. Isn’t in season, 2. Is endangered, and 3. Is protected or under the supervision of scientists for environmental study. These all funnel into one of the most important things to keep in mind when hunting which is; to respect each animal and take it in a humane way. These are all principals that Dr. Walter Palmer broke that afternoon he decided to kill Cecil the lion.

You see, hunting in itself is not the problem. It is the fact that people like Dr. Walter think they are above the law and more importantly above the responsibilities that come with hunting. Myself and dozens of others I know who hunt are and have always been the most compassionate people towards animals. They understand that the laws of nature are set up to put us at the top of the food chain, and with that position comes an unbelievable amount of responsibility. But, with seven billion people on the earth, there is bound to be a few bad eggs. So, instead of just mourning the death of this beautiful creature, which we should do, I also vow we turn this into a positive event.

There are hundreds of wildlife foundations you can donate too, provide time to, or even call to support. Many of these activist groups are under-funded and have very little manpower. You would be providing a much- needed service to other animals and their environments that need your help.

There are also some logical environmental responsibilities you can partake in. One is always leaving a place better than you found it. This could be as simple as picking up a water bottle you found on the beach and recycling it.

You may be thinking that in no way does this relate back to Cecil, but you would be wrong to assume so, because everything in this world is connected. By picking up that water bottle you may have saved a fish, whale, shark or turtle from ingesting the plastic and dying further down the line.

Let's be more responsible as humans. Let's take action and instead of uprising in anger, let's upgrade the earth by being better humans.

R.I.P Cecil.