Its not really shock value though, Germ. The words being used aren't being thrown in to spice the story up. Your story is just a toned down version of what happened.

If Don were to have blatantly exaggerated his story, emphasizing the gore involved in what we do, then that would have been added for shock value.

I think thats the main point being made, having to tone down a simple story because of the "shock value" involved just means we're catering to the anti's and non-hunting crowd. I'm not saying its wrong, but I don't believe its necessary either.