Hunter condemned for shootings taunts her critics with ‘Eat more goat’ T-shirts
● American TV presenter brings out clothing to celebrate killings
An American hunter who sparked outrage and received death threats after she posted pictures of herself with goats and sheep she shot on Islay has taunted her critics by launching a range of T-shirts celebrating her actions.
Larysa Switlyk, 33, a television presenter, was roundly condemned when she posed alongside the dead animals she killed on a visit to the Hebridean island.
Now she has responded to the controversy by producing a collection of T-shirts and hoodies bearing slogan including “Don’t Let Me Get Your Goat”, “Eat More Goat” and “‘Barbaric Hunters’”.
The huntress claimed a percentage of profits from the clothing range will go towards wild goat conservation.
She posted a photo of herself wearing one of the shirts and wrote on Instagram: “Due to the recent outrage over my hunting adventures I’ve decided to launch T-shirts to take a stance for what I believe in.
“A percentage of every shirt sold goes towards conservation efforts for the world’s capra species.
“Thank you for your support. We are already on our next hunt and will be in and out of service the next two weeks. Definitely on a dream hunt right now and I’m extremely blessed. Thank you God and again I will never apologize for being a hunter.”
Switlyk’s decision to launch the T-shirts, which are being sold for $29.95, was criticised by people on social media.
Patrick Galbraith, the editor of the Shooting Times, said: “Beyond distasteful that @Lswitlyk is shamelessly attempting to capitalise on a pathetic stunt that may ultimately harm field sports in Scotland. She shows no respect for the hunting community or the beautiful creatures we are privileged to pursue.”
One Twitter used called “Matthew in Norfolk” wrote: “Please don’t bother coming back to the UK. You have done huge damage to the sport that we love and selling T-shirts like this shows extremely poor judgment.”
Natasha Reinhart said: “Absolutely disgusting, and a huge, shameful embarrassment to Americans that travel abroad. Scotland, we are so sorry for the actions of these jerks who can only pleasure themselves by murdering beautiful creatures.”
Switlyk called her critics “ignorant” and has said she will never apologise for her actions. She had proudly described how she had spent two days hunting goats on Islay before fatally wounding one with a “200-yard shot” using a long-range rifle.
The pictures caused fury with a politicians, celebrities, island residents and outraged members of the public calling for an end to the practice. Following the furore, Switlyk said she was “headed out on a bush plane for my next hunting adventure” and would be out of service for a fortnight.
She defended her actions and thanked fellow hunters who supported her.
An online petition has been launched calling for the government to ban trophy hunting in Scotland. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government would review the situation and consider whether changes to the law are required.
The Scottish Government has said that it will review the law on animal culling after the response to the images.
Switlyk is a former accountant who left her job in New York City to pursue her passion for hunting and fishing and now hosts Larysa Unleashed in the US.
The show follows her around the world.