Answer:
Before Rainsford finds himself on Ship Trap Island, it is clear that he is an avid and enthusiastic hunter with a competitive streak. He describes hunting as the "best sport in the world," and it is clear he enjoys the challenge and excitement of tracking and killing animals.
At the same time, Rainsford also shows a degree of respect for his prey. He believes that animals have a right to a fair fight and admires those that can outwit him, stating that they "have a right to a sporting chance."
However, Rainsford does not seem to feel any real empathy or compassion for the animals he hunts. He justifies killing them by viewing them as inferior and less valuable than humans, describing them as "the real enemy" and claiming that "the world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees."
In short, Rainsford's attitude towards his prey is one of respect for their skills and abilities as hunters, but no real empathy or compassion for their lives or well-being. He justifies killing them by seeing them as less than human and viewing hunting as a competitive sport rather than a life or death struggle for the animals involved.