Why THIS Exists
Wildlife conservation should be guided by science, informed by compassion, and grounded in respect for the natural world. Unfortunately, the decisions that determine the fate of wild animals are too often influenced by politics, economics, entrenched interests, and traditions that deserve closer scrutiny.
THIS — Trophy Hunting Is Stupid was created to challenge those narratives.
Through investigative journalism, scientific research, photography, and informed commentary, THIS examines the policies, practices, and attitudes that shape our relationship with wildlife. From predator management and trophy hunting to habitat protection and human-wildlife coexistence, the objective is not simply to provoke debate, but to encourage critical thinking and meaningful change.
Because wildlife deserves better than business as usual.
The Person Behind THIS
My connection to the natural world began long before I picked up a camera or started writing about wildlife conservation. Over the years, that connection evolved from a personal appreciation of wild places and the animals that inhabit them into a growing concern about how we treat them.
An early encounter with wolves in Banff National Park left a lasting impression. It was one of those experiences that changes how you see the natural world, reinforcing the realization that wild animals have lives and purposes entirely independent of our own.
My background is somewhat unconventional. I've worked as a registered nurse in mental health and addictions, studied journalism and photojournalism, and spent years pursuing wildlife photography. Each experience has influenced how I approach conservation issues.
Nursing taught me the importance of empathy, evidence, and questioning assumptions. Journalism encouraged me to look beyond the headlines, investigate competing claims, and follow the evidence wherever it leads. Photography provided opportunities to observe wildlife on its own terms.
Together, these experiences helped shape a conviction that conservation should be about protecting wildlife and the ecosystems that sustain it, rather than simply managing animals according to human interests.
THIS is an extension of that conviction.
I don't pretend to have all the answers, and I don't expect everyone to agree with my conclusions. But I believe difficult questions deserve to be asked, particularly when the answers challenge longstanding practices, powerful interests, or comfortable assumptions.
Ultimately, my hope is that THIS encourages readers to look more closely, think more critically, and recognize that our relationship with wildlife says as much about us as it does about the animals themselves.