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There really is no other way to put it: when we go fishing, we catch fish, if we are lucky - and for the most part we kill them.

Our TV show pulls in an audience because people apparently want to see us catching and killing fish, or even to learn how they could catch/kill more fish themselves. But that's not to suggest that people who enjoy catching a feed of fish for dinner are blood-crazed killers. It's quite the opposite - the hunters and fishers of New Zealand represent the values of self-sustenance and respect for the wild environment that was the very foundation of our young nation.

So it seems ridiculous to me that there is a growing grumbling of discontent from the idealistic ‘greenies' that say killing is wrong in this day and age. And unfortunately this ideology seems to be supported by the policies of the government of today.

What brought about my thoughts on killing was a recent experience I had. It was nothing out of the ordinary for me, but when I showed the footage to others I got a wide range of reactions: from shock and disgust to cheers and congratulations. The footage in question was that of some pig hunting that was filmed just a few hundred metres from our Tightlines Television headquarters (i.e. the office out the back of my garage).

I took a call early one Wednesday morning, but it was not of a business nature. It was a neighbour calling to say he'd seen a wild boar in the native bush between our properties. Not one to pass up an opportunity for some wild pork, I readied the hunting gear, which is basically some gorse-proof pants, a knife, and my mate's pig dogs. Kate, our production assistant, had turned up for work by this time, ready for a day at her desk, but instead she had a camera thrust toward her and we were off over the back fence.

The dogs were onto the pig quickly and we arrived at the bail seconds later. The pig made a good account of itself and wounded three dogs before I managed to tip it over and stick it. I always feel a little sorrow for any creature I kill, but at the same time I was proud of myself and the dogs. However, Kate looked very pale and a little faint, and it suddenly occurred to me that this might not be everyone's cup of tea.

After going pig hunting with a friend on another occasion, I found that I got the same adrenalin rush from the dogs bailing a pig as I do when I'm out fishing and a reel screams off, and I felt the same sort of satisfaction bringing home wild pork as I do bringing home a feed of fish. However, there are fishermen that are happy to see a fish get spiked in the head, but a pig being killed is too much for them, so I concede it's not for everyone.

While I can understand people not wanting to see an animal being killed, I can't understand those that say it's cruel and unnecessary. To kill an animal face to face, you can't help but have an appreciation of the life you are taking. The boar we killed enjoyed a wild and free life, and it had a real fighting chance to survive. On this occasion, the dogs and hunter prevailed, but often the pig wins and the dogs are wounded or killed.

On the other hand, domestic pigs are often raised cruelly, in a cage where they can't even turn around. These pigs have no chance of leading a natural life, and no chance of surviving their inevitable slaughter, yet when you pick up a vacuum-pack of bacon in the supermarket, do you spare a thought for the animal that has been killed on your behalf?

If you eat meat, you are a killer, and that's fine by me.