Kid Rock is catching a mix of criticism and praise after hunting buddy Ted Nugent posted a picture of the Michigan rocker posing with a slain mountain lion.
“And what a grand conservation New Year it is! HAIL my MotorCity boy KidRock for saving all those muledeer elk & livestock by whacking this magnificent mountain lion,” Ted said on Facebook of the photo, shown here with another of Kid and a dead mule deer. Anticipating some backlash, he added, “I can hear the braindead squawkers already with their obscene denial that killing lions is wrong. Its legal its necessary its good its beneficial its a damn riot! … Praise the mighty life giving renewable protein/sport/trophy/FUN! 2015 be good good year so far!”
Although Kid Rock didn’t post the same picture on his own Facebook, people spilled over to the comments section of the top picture of him and Ted posing with crossbows to debate the kill. There is praise for the hunt, with some saying it is something that’s been done “since the dawn of time” and that “harvesting a big animal isn’t easy.” However, the majority of the comments seem to be negative…
“Kid Rock, you are truly a disgrace for hunting for recreation and killing innocent creatures living freely for your fun,” one person wrote. “Did this prove your manhood? Does it make you feel strong to take down a beautiful beast with your strong gun? Or bow and arrows? You lack for inner strength and dignity. I pray you find God and stop killing animals for fun.”
A couple of others took it farther by wishing death “by gun” on him and saying “hopefully the time will come a bullet hits you!”
A spokesperson for PETA also denounced the act in a statement to The New York Daily News: “It’s obvious that not everyone has evolved mentally and emotionally when you see someone grinning after gunning down another living being who was busy minding his or her own business and living life. These days, only the very smallest percentage of people find it acceptable in any way to support blood sports like trophy hunting.”
So far, Kid hasn’t responded to the controversy — besides posting the photo with Ted after the initial picture was shared — but Ted expounded on his argument for hunting mountain lions.
“CELEBRATE how lions thrive in areas where they are valued/hunted as precious renewable resources & hunters pay massive Gob$ of money to pay for game departments & gamewardens to ensure their thriving balanced truly proteced/managed condition,” said Ted, who hosts Spirit of the Wild on the Outdoor Channel. “Not to be confused with the evil lies of animalrights freaks who have never saved or protected or paid for jacks**t! CongratSalute lion hunters everywhere. We who truly care SALUTE you for your honest conservation values & honesty & success. We guarantee thriving game populations by hunting them. Go figure.”
