Bang Bang….You Shot Me Down…!

Why I Hunt...wildlife artist Cynthie FisherSouthern Greater Kudu, NamibiaMany people find it hard to believe that I can spend so much time painting and studying these magnificent creatures, and then go out and hunt them. I find it to be the ultimate way to learn more about them!

When I hunt, I spend a lot of time in that animal's environment, studying where it lives, taking note of its surroundings and way of life...you have to be fluent in this field of study to hunt and to paint successfully.Marco Polo sheep, Tajikistan

The taking of a life is a sober moment for me, full of respect and reflection, the apex of many days in the field. The supreme privilege of laying my hands on the soft hide and elegant horns or antlers greatly enhances my knowledge of my subjects, as well as my appreciation for their adaptations to their habitat.Canadian Moose, British Columbia

The infinite variety of God's creatures, the colours, forms, textures and adornments never ceases to amaze me, and I hope that some of this wonder comes across in my paintings.Cape Buffalo, Tanzania

While it is true that an animal died at my hands, his life is not wasted; I will paint him, eat him, and have his likeness mounted,and I will gaze upon him with great affection and warm memories for many years to come. It is my wish to have my artwork stand out a little from the norm, and I hope that my love for hunting and the outdoors enhances my paintings.Arctic Island caribou, Nunuvet

The variety of big game species, their various coat patterns and horn shapes, are of great interest to me in my work. I look at each new species that I hunt as a living sculpture, whose likeness will have a place of honor in my home.Tahr, New Zealand

Although Africa remains my favorite overseas destination, both for gathering painting reference and big game hunting, any chance I have to travel to other parts of the world, study, observe and hunt the native game is a great privilege, and adds greatly to my store of art ideas!Whitetail, Alberta, Canada

Hunting and the organizations who support it play a huge role in the protection of wildlife habitat worldwide. I hope the people who view my art realize how intertwined the act of painting wildlife and the ageless tradition of hunting can be; man has been involved in both activities since the very beginning.For more hunting photos and links to the stories I've written, check out www.huntingal.com!Lord Derby Eland, C.A.R.

"The Big Five"acrylic, painted on an elephant ear

I was pulling 85 on the bow before I left. When I got over there, I lowered it to 83. It was getting 103 ft lbs of kinetic energy at 83. The bow was awesome. I think it fit me well. I had been hunting hard for 8 days before I got a chance to draw back. I had to hold the bow for a minute before I could take a shot. I shot the elephant at 12 yards with one arrow. It was shot near dark. We went back the next day and found him. I was in the middle of 37 elephants when I took my shot. This was my first bow kill and first woman to take an elie with a bow.

TrinityOctober 2009