'Huntress' faces backlash for shooting goats in Scotland and posting pictures of it on social media
- On Tuesday, Larysa Switlyk an Florida-based TV personality and self-described "hardcore huntress" posted a photo of herself with a goat she had shot in Scotland on social media.
- People think the fact that she shot the goat and the picture she took with it is in poor taste.
- It is not illegal to hunt goats on private land in Scotland, per the BBC.
- However, people are criticizing Switlyk for saying that she "made a perfect 200-yard shot."
A Florida-based hunter and TV personality is being criticized for shooting a wild goat in Scotland and then posing with it on social media.
On Tuesday, Larysa Switlyk a self-described "hardcore huntress" who hosts the program "Larysa Unleashed" shared several photos of herself with animals she had ostensibly shot while visiting the island of Islay in Scotland — including a goat.
"Beautiful wild goat here on the Island of Islay in Scotland," she captioned the photo. "Such a fun hunt!!"
She continued, describing the chase to her followers. "We hunted hard for a big one for 2 days and finally got on this group," she said. "Made a perfect 200-yard shot."
In Scotland, goats are considered an invasive, non-native species. But as the BBC notes, hunting them is "not illegal" on private land.
She also shared photos of herself with a stag and ram and her hunting companion, who she referred to as Jason, with a goat.
Switlyk has faced backlash for the photos.
Online, people were taken aback. As Switlyk has disabled comments on Instagram, the pictures brought in more of a response on Twitter.
It was there that they caught the attention of Michael Russel, who is a member of Scottish Parliament for the region. Russel told the BBC that he considers the pictures "horrific."
He also retweeted one of Switlyk's posts, saying that he is reaching out to Scotland's environment secretary, Roseanna Cunningham to ensure that if hunting excursions like this are "actually happening on Islay," they are "stopped immediately."
As the local member of @ScotParl I am raising this as a matter of urgency with @strathearnrose - if this is actually happening on #Islay , and laid on by some sort of tour company I would want to see it stopped immediately https://t.co/wnr0yJ6n4A
— Michael Russell (@Feorlean) October 24, 2018
While Russel told the outlet that "deer culling and deer stalking is established on the island and it's a necessary" for population control, "to see people in camouflage with highly powered sniper rifles rejoicing at the killing of a goat, let alone a ram, is simply unacceptable. The pictures are horrific."
And he's not the only one who took issue with the photos.
Some people are disturbed and upset.
Travelled to the other side of the world to shoot a goat. Well done ya roaster.
— Jay H (@jay_mfc) October 24, 2018
Sick! Stay away from Scotland and our animals.
— cheeky40???????????????????????????????????????????? (@drmcq2013) October 24, 2018
Others think it was misleading for Switlyk to categorize her experience in Islay as a "hunt."
A hunt? What a joke.
— maria (@Baldybaine) October 24, 2018
These lovely creatures on Islay are hard to avoid and some quite tame. On holiday there they would gently graze around the wild garden and ignore us as we headed out on walks. So...this is bullshit obviously.
You killed a goat? Some challenge, some man. What next a hamster or maybe a tortoise. You really are pathetic.
— MakeAmericaWaitAgain (@MakeAmericaWait) October 24, 2018
???????????? never seen anything so funny. I live on Islay and you can catch those goats by hand and tickle them to death if you wanted. What a saddo ????????????????????♂️????????♂️????????♂️
— Scotlander (@gavceltic) October 24, 2018
I photographed these wonderful, peaceful creatures in July as they were freely roaming The Oa on #islay. Shame on you. pic.twitter.com/Zj2t80YlyM
— giardino (@giardino) October 24, 2018
I consume animal products and am quite relaxed about it, but shooting a wild goat for fun???? What sad individuals you must be. If that's your idea of pleasure I genuinely think you ought to get some help.
— Simon Garrett ???? (@simonjgarrett) October 24, 2018
Hunting a goat? Are you for real? What is wrong with you?
— Liz Summerill #GTTO (@Lizzyiris1963) October 24, 2018
Killing a goat with a gun is about as impressive as beating it at chess. It's really no achievement at all. Shoot some cans or something.
— Gavin Deichen (@gdeichen) October 24, 2018
Actress and activist Mia Farrow also chimed in, suggesting that Switlyk "try shooting with a camera" instead of a gun.
You have a gun. The goat did not. This is not sport its slaughter. You should get help in understsnding why killing is “fun” for you. Try shooting with a camera.
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) October 24, 2018
As did actress and writer Sue Perkins, formerly of "The Great British Bake Off."
Yep, a beautiful wild goat indeed. And then you killed it.
— Sue Perkins (@sueperkins) October 24, 2018
At the time of this post, it doesn't appear that Switlyk has addressed the backlash.
According to her website, Switlyk was afraid of guns, so "it was not until later in life that she found true love and zeal for hunting."
But now, it is her passion.
"Larysa wants to encourage the public, especially kids and females, to go hunting and experience the great outdoors," her website says. "Whether it's teaching them to shoot a gun for the first time, or hunting alongside her for an amazing trophy, it will be nothing less than an extreme adventure!"
Switlyk isn't the only person to face pushback for hunting photos. Recently, an Idaho wildlife official resigned after bragging about shooting a family of baboons and sharing photos of other animals he killed on a trip to Africa.
Larysa Switlyk and Michael Russel didn't immediately respond to INSIDER's request for comment.
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