Eva Shockey says she received 'thousands and thousands' of death threats from anti-hunting activists

Maine Hunter Eva Shockey Recalls Facing “Thousands of Death Threats” Amid Anti‑Hunting Backlash

The veteran hunter, who has become a vocal advocate for wildlife conservation, told the “Country Outdoors” podcast that her rise to prominence in the outdoor community drew intense scrutiny and a wave of online harassment.

A legacy of hunting

Eva Shockey is the daughter of famed North American hunter Jim Shockey, a name that has long been associated with big‑game expeditions and wildlife stewardship. In addition to her family’s hunting tradition, Shockey has carved out a career of her own—traveling, filming, and sharing her experiences with audiences around the world.

In 2024, while living in Russia with her husband, former NHL player Tim Brandt, Shockey’s profile was climbing. She was actively hunting, filming, and promoting conservation efforts on a global platform. It was during this period that her visibility made her a target of the anti‑hunting movement.

A torrent of threats

“During that time, there were thousands and thousands and thousands of death threats,” Shockey recalled. The threats were not limited to a few angry messages on social media; they were a sustained campaign of intimidation aimed squarely at her. She said the backlash came from “anti‑hunters and the hatred” that had built up around hunts of apex predators such as bears.

The anti‑hunting activists, Shockey noted, seemed to have chosen her over her famous father because of her youth and appearance. “I was like the blonde young girl that they thought would be easy to scare off and bully,” she explained. “Versus my dad, who’s like, ‘I don’t care.’”

Misunderstandings about hunting

Shockey stressed that many of her critics “don’t understand the distinction between legal hunting and illegal poaching.” She said that while poachers are universally condemned, the broader practice of legal hunting is often misrepresented. “We hate poachers. That is what we fight against all the time,” she said.

She also blamed media coverage for turning hunting into “something entirely different,” fueling outrage among people who are unfamiliar with wildlife management. “The media turns it into something where they think they’re doing what’s right by hating it,” Shockey said. “But really, when you actually sit down and talk to them, they’re like, ‘Oh, we had no idea.’”

A viral moment and a painful lesson

One of Shockey’s hunting photographs was used as clickbait and went viral across the United Kingdom. The image appeared on several UK news networks, further amplifying the harassment she faced. The international exposure, while bringing her recognition, also intensified the hostile responses from anti‑hunters.

Faced with an overwhelming amount of threats, Shockey turned to her father for counsel. He told her that she could either give in and “stop” and let the haters win, or stand up for what she believed in. “Stand up for what you believe in,” her father advised. That conversation gave Shockey the resolve to confront her attackers head‑on.

A milestone in the outdoor world

Shortly after this period of intimidation, Shockey achieved a significant milestone. In 2014 she became only the second woman ever to grace the cover of Field & Stream—the first being Queen Elizabeth II. “It was representing, at the time, so many women that were in the outdoor space,” she said. For Shockey, the cover was more than a personal triumph; it was a statement that the hunting community was not going to back down in the face of threats.

Advocacy for the next generation

Shockey is now a mother of two and remains an outspoken advocate for women in the outdoors. “I just never saw females that hunted,” she told listeners. “So I have always loved telling little girls, like, ‘It is so cool. Y’all should try it. Don’t be scared. Don’t be intimidated.’”

Her message to young girls is clear: pursue outdoor adventure with confidence and resilience. “I’m not scared,” she says, “because I’ve faced threats, and I still go on my hunts, raising money for conservation and sharing the beauty of the natural world.”

Looking forward

Today, Shockey continues to hunt, film, and promote conservation. She remains a prominent figure in the outdoor industry, using her platform to bridge the gap between hunting and wildlife stewardship. For her, the journey began with a fierce backlash that turned into a rallying call to stand firm—an enduring lesson for anyone who faces unjust opposition.

This story was reported for Maine News Now, following an interview on the “Country Outdoors” podcast.