Hunting live animals online will soon be illegal in Florida.

WKMG NEWS

On Wednesday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is expected to approve a ban on the practice, making Florida the 35th state to prohibit "Internet hunting," Local 6 News partner Florida Today reported.

The ban would take effect July 1.

"I think, just overall, we felt it was wrong," said Henry Cabbage, a commission spokesman.

The concept was pioneered three years ago by a Texas entrepreneur who set up an operation where would-be hunters could shoot Barbary sheep, wild boar and other animals at a game ranch using a Web cam. Texas officials shut down his operation in 2005, when legislators banned Internet hunting.

Generally, "cyber hunters" steer a camera and rifle with their mouse, shooting at game in real time from a computer anywhere.

Animals are typically penned on ranches and lured to a feeding station within range of a rifle mounted on a tripod. As the animal approaches, the desktop hunter uses the mouse to line up the crosshairs and then presses the button to fire. Guides at the game ranch can assist if the shot misses or fails to kill the animal.

At the Texas game ranch, the hunting experience was completed by trophy mounts that were shipped to the customers, who for an additional fee could have the meat sent along, as well.

Advocates of Internet hunting say it's a way for the disabled to enjoy hunting.

But pro-hunting groups say it violates their ethic of a "fair chase."

In 2005, Virginia became the first state to ban the practice. Thirty-three other states have since followed suit.

Florida wildlife officials don't know of anyone hunting online in the state but want a ban in place before anyone tries.

Under the proposed Florida rule, Internet hunting or hunting via remote control would be prohibited by anyone not physically present at the location of the gun.

"It's truly a pre-emptive measure to prevent these types of operations from opening," said Andrew Page, director of the Humane Society of the United States' hunting campaign. "It was a bad idea run amok.".........