Kristi Noem Defends Hunting Photos, Slams Critics as 'Ignorant'

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has defended her decision to post photos from a recent hunting trip in Wyoming, where she posed with a large elk she killed. In response to criticism on social media, Noem called her detractors "ignorant and uninformed" and stated that the harvested animal would nourish her family and others.

Noem shared images of the elk on Instagram, naming her hunting partners and expressing gratitude for their help. "The strategy and work paid off and I’m so grateful for their help and friendship," she wrote.

Some social media users reacted negatively to the post, with comments calling Noem "murderous" and "despicable." In her defense, Noem emphasized the role of hunting in providing sustenance and spoke about the stewardship responsibilities of outdoor activities. "Shame on you who desecrate and don’t understand the stewardship responsibilities God has given us," she stated. "Go to a store and shop for anything that hasn’t been harvested and you will find bare shelves and your family will starve."

Noem, whose Instagram bio highlights her love for "Hunting and Horses, Government and Grankids, Fishing and FREEDOM! God bless America!", has previously faced public scrutiny for an anecdote in her book, "No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward." In the book, she detailed shooting her puppy, Cricket, after the animal allegedly attacked livestock and bit her.

Responding to comments about the puppy story, Noem said she included the anecdote to demonstrate her willingness to make difficult decisions. She explained that, according to South Dakota law, dogs that attack livestock can be put down, and she believed Cricket exhibited aggressive behavior. "I followed the law and was being a responsible parent, dog owner, and neighbor," she wrote. "As I explained in the book, it wasn't easy. But often the easy way isn't the right way."

Noem recounted that she took Cricket on a hunting trip with older dogs to calm the puppy, but Cricket instead chased pheasants and later attacked chickens belonging to a family. After the incident, which included Cricket biting Noem, she decided to euthanize the dog. "I hated that dog," Noem wrote, deeming her "untrainable." She then described taking Cricket to a gravel pit and shooting her.