Major television and movie star Matthew McConaughey is facing sharp criticism over a Texas ranch he partly owns that offers so-called “high fence” hunts for clients.

Animal rights activists have been peppering Facebook and the website of the LP Ranch in Mertzon, Texas, with angry emails and comments after learning part of the ranch’s business is devoted to whitetail deer hunts. The ranch claims it fenced part of the property to “better manage and maintain our deer herd.”

“With a young deer herd, we feel extremely blessed t have had a great gene pool from the beginning,” the LP Ranch says on its website.

But TMZ reports McConaughey is facing a threatened boycott from fans and that ranch employees have seen death threats from cyber bullies.

“We have just lost all respect for you. … This is not hunting. … This is disgusting behavior for a human being,” TMZ reports commenters saying.

The LP Ranch says its main business is raising cattle and horses, and a McConaughey spokesperson tells TMZ the actor is involved mainly in the horse side of the business, leaving the hunting operation to his nephew Madison.

“People are disgusted with us, but we’re disgusted with them,” Madison told TMZ. “We’re proud of what we do.”