Conversion of Hunter

Question

Dear Rabbi,

As a Noahide seriously considering converting to Judaism, I have a question that is really bothering me and I don't know where to look to find the answer. I hope you can help. I am an avid deer hunter. I am a firm believer in a "clean kill." By that, I mean a solid heart shot so the animal does not feel any pain. I have passed on more deer than I have shot because of this exact reason. Also, I do not believe in hunting for sport. I hunt for the meat and enjoy eating it. I have read the Torah on this and have found Leviticus 17:13 (JPS - 1985):
"And if any Israelite or any stranger who resides among them hunts down an animal or a bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth".
Based on this, hunting is allowed. However, I have been told that since hunting does not allow for a shochet (a person who performs ritual slaughter), it is not allowed. My understanding is the shochet applies to domesticated animals, not wild. The bottom line here is: Is hunting allowed by Kashrut (Jewish dietary laws)? If not, why would the Torah suggest the proper/kosher way to perform an improper/unkosher act?
Am I even on the right track here? If not, where would I need to go to study more on this subject?

Answer

Hunting is definitely forbidden in Judaism, and animals that have been hunted are not kosher and therefore cannot be eaten.
In principle, we do not learn Jewish law from the Bible, but from the rabbis as interpreted by the sages. The verse you quote should be understood to mean that if you hunt down a wild animal, not domesticated, and then slaughter it, its blood cannot be consumed. The same holds true for domesticated animals. See Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, chapter 1, paragraph 1 and Rabbi Joseph Caro, Shulh?an Aruch, Yore Dea'h, chapter 13, paragraph 1 (based on Deuteronomy 12:22 and its interpretation in the Babylonian Talmud H?ullin 28a).
Unfortunately, if you wish to continue hunting and eating the meat, you would not be able to convert (at least by an Orthodox or Conservative rabbinic court).

Sincerely,

Rabbi Diana Villa
May 24, 2004