Matthew McConaughey under fire for 'cruel hunting' practice, denies ranch ownership

Rep of Matthew McConaughey, who is slammed for owning a ranch offering whitetail deer hunting in Mertzon, Texas with his brother Mike, has insisted that the 45-year-old actor is not the owner of the "canned hunting" ranch.

The rep said that the 'Dallas Buyers Club' star hasn't owned the ranch since 2011, but the website to the ranch still lists the actor as "co-owner," TMZ.com reported.

The actor's nephew, Madison McConaughey, said that the hunting part is part of the ranch, but his uncle is more with the cattle as that's where his passion is.

The ranch, where people can go out during the day and shoot the deer that can't run away, also breeds and sells horses and cows and hunters can actually stay on the property during the hunting trip as there is food, a tavern and other amenities.

A source said that there is 22,000 acres high fenced area for the animals to roam, but animal rights groups claim the deer hang by the feeding area, which makes them easy targets.

Madison, who is the ranch cattle manager, said that they've had death threats from people who don't understand the nature of what they do.

He added that people are disgusted with them, but they're disgusted with them and people who come there, do so for the "hunting experience," adding they're proud of what they do.

Another ranch manager said that no meat goes to waste after the hunts as it helps feed their families.