wolfman
12-02-2005, 10:33 PM
Ive been seeing a lot of posts on bad hunting ethics and wanted to share my thoughts. Ethics are the most important part of hunting, and the same message is crucial for hunters everywhere in the country today. If people want to protect the privilege of hunting, they must do everything possible to eliminate discourteous and irresponsible behavior, and they must follow a strict code of ethics including:
Placing the safety of other people far above every other consideration
Showing flawless courtesy toward landowners and nonhunters;
Taking all possible measures to prevent animals from suffering or being wounded or lost;
Wasting no usable part of any animal;
Only hunting for animals that will be thoroughly, respectfully utilized.
We as hunters must remain united and we can do that only when our hunting is ethical. Your hunt is still your hunt. Just remember that however you pursue deer - whether it's by archery, primitive weapons, or gun-still , poor ethics on some people's part affects all deer hunters. The bottom line is that our actions as deer hunters must continue to keep non-hunters positive toward our sport. If we alienate these people and turn them into anti-hunters because of poor ethics on our part, we have failed.
My views on hunting, my sense of ethics, my sense of hunter behavior , and my expectations of myself and of those I hunt with are all products of my experiences in the field. With a measure of reading, discussion, and fireside debate thrown in for seasoning. I was taught to hunt for the joy of hunting and for the deep satisfaction of having hunted well, not for the bag; to take pride in my outdoor skills more than in my kill; to respect wild game; to know the land where I hunt; to study the game, learn to read the woods, and work with my hands to improve habitat; and to expect other hunters to do pretty much the same.I think those were good lessons, good lessons for living as well as for hunting. This is my understanding and love of nature, my own joy in hunting, a place to hunt, and a society that permits it.
Placing the safety of other people far above every other consideration
Showing flawless courtesy toward landowners and nonhunters;
Taking all possible measures to prevent animals from suffering or being wounded or lost;
Wasting no usable part of any animal;
Only hunting for animals that will be thoroughly, respectfully utilized.
We as hunters must remain united and we can do that only when our hunting is ethical. Your hunt is still your hunt. Just remember that however you pursue deer - whether it's by archery, primitive weapons, or gun-still , poor ethics on some people's part affects all deer hunters. The bottom line is that our actions as deer hunters must continue to keep non-hunters positive toward our sport. If we alienate these people and turn them into anti-hunters because of poor ethics on our part, we have failed.
My views on hunting, my sense of ethics, my sense of hunter behavior , and my expectations of myself and of those I hunt with are all products of my experiences in the field. With a measure of reading, discussion, and fireside debate thrown in for seasoning. I was taught to hunt for the joy of hunting and for the deep satisfaction of having hunted well, not for the bag; to take pride in my outdoor skills more than in my kill; to respect wild game; to know the land where I hunt; to study the game, learn to read the woods, and work with my hands to improve habitat; and to expect other hunters to do pretty much the same.I think those were good lessons, good lessons for living as well as for hunting. This is my understanding and love of nature, my own joy in hunting, a place to hunt, and a society that permits it.