Initially Rainsford feels he is perfectly justified killing animals. He claims it is the order of nature. He does not give emotional traits of humans to animals. In the beginning of the story Rainsford tells Whitney, "The world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters." He feels that hunting animals is part of the natural order of things. It isn't until Rainsford is being hunted down by Zaroff that he concedes the fear an animal must feel. I don't think this experience will prevent his hunting but perhaps Rainsford may be a little more selective and empathetic.