Sun writer wins Wildlife Federation award

Randy Shore’s story discussed ethical hunting by hipsters and hippies

I’m really flattered to receive an award in the name of Art Downs.

RANDY SHORE

SUN REPORTER

The Vancouver Sun’s food and sustainability writer Randy Shore has received a B. C. Wildlife Federation award for an article detailing how B. C.’ s ethical urbanites are sparking a resurgence in hunting.

The 2013 Art Downs Award — presented in partnership with BC Outdoors magazine — honoured Shore’s Ethical Killing story, which chronicled how a 25- year decline in the number of B. C. hunters is being reversed in part by hipsters, hippies and women wanting to harvest ethical, sustainable meat and reject the industrial food industry.

“I’m really flattered to receive an award in the name of Art Downs, who dedicated so many years and so much energy to conservation in B. C.,” Shore said. “I’m pleased, too, that the winning story generated so much constructive dialogue around hunting and its place in a sustainable and ethical food system.”

Fervid critics and proponents, alike, spread the article on social media and contributed to the conversation on whether the practice was ethical.

Some of the more lucid comments, free of multiple exclamation marks, included:

“Taking part in the ethical and fair harvesting and cleaning of your own game ( and plants) brings you full circle with the food you consume to live.”

“While it’s positive to see people get to the point of realizing that factory farming animals for food is wrong, it becomes bittersweet to find they still want to unnecessarily end the lives of other sentient beings.”

“Recovering vegetarian? Is this a sort of cult? Or addiction? Why not call her a born- again carnivore while you’re at it? It’s a lifestyle choice not a cult or addiction.”

And, “Life isn’t like Disney; deer, elk, and moose die at the hands of nature, and their own stupidity far more often than they do at the end of a hunter’s rifle or bow.”

BCWF president Bill Bosch thanked Shore for bringing attention to this important trend in an emailed statement.

“His article ... was a great illustration of the rise in sustenance hunting among youth, women, and urban residents,” Bosch said.