Today’s world is accepting a whole new code of ethics and morals. For Sportsman this is affecting our sport in a very serious manner. I have seen many an atrocity and have had to deal with many sportsman on their unethical behavior and feel I need to share this subject with the rest of you hoping it will be passed on to all and make them think the next time they go hunting, fishing or camping. I grew up on a ranch in Central Arizona and have been engaged with the outdoors and wildlife since I was old enough to lift my head. At age 5 I became very interested in fishing and hunting by going on trips with my Grandpa and my Father. As we hunted, fished and worked cattle on different ranches in the 80’s Sportsman appeared to have more respect for one another and ensured that if another stepped over the line as far as respect for land and or the game they engaged, it was reported or handled right then with a firm word and yes sometimes a physical confrontation. Now I don’t approve of the latter as I feel that dealing with the problem if it has to come to that should be done by the authorities (i.e. Game wardens or Sheriffs depends on where you live.). But the thing is many a so called sportsman accepts this behavior and does absolutely nothing, just say Oh gosh, that is so wrong, and that is as far as it goes. That is unethical on your part now. It is all of our responsibility as TRUE Sportsman to report game infractions and vandalism. I would even correct my best pals and they me if we even thought of acting unethical.
The unethical conduct that is the most common and easiest to see is the damage of land by today’s ATV’s, OHV’s and off road vehicle travel. Roads are made for a purpose. But all that it takes is for one lazy person in a vehicle to drive off the main road then the next guy arrives behind him and thinks hey he went there so I guess I can too! All of the sudden you have another road and land destruction. From there it just escalates because there is always some idiot to go off even that road. Next thing you know you have a network of roads, trails that were never meant to be there. Then what you get is an annoyed land owner or lessee and he decides to put locks on all the gates and close off the property to Sportsman like most of us who practice proper ethics. Another problem that has been impacting our sport is target shooting and vandalism. This has been going on for years and really is discouraging to see the after effects. When target shooting, simply pick up all your garbage and put it in the garbage where it belongs (on State trust land here in Arizona it is illegal to shoot targets so pay attention to the land use rules before entering). So simple but again there is always one idiot out there not cleaning up their camp site or temporary gun range. Observing the mess and not cleaning it up on your own is also unethical. Mother nature gives us so much so give back! Don’t think you’re cleaning up after an idiot. Consider it saving our sport. Now I know there are organized cleanups from different groups but cleanups once in a while help alot but don’t solve the problem. Besides it will make you proud you cleaned up the mess and give you more of a sense of ownership to your favored spot.
Vandalism is also a great concern. Do not shoot signs, water storage tanks and equipment. I don’t know how much money the ranch my father is working for has spent on replacement of this equipment,but tens of thousands if not more. This equipment helps the wildlife to thrive during a drought and signs help keep the people who are new to our sport understand rules of use a little better. Destroying signs, fences, gates and other property sets the tone for behavior and gives sportsman a bad name. Usually they are the first thing you see upon entering a property. Property owners and leasers’ can be quite helpful to sportsman if they and their property are given the respect they deserve. So practice treating other folks property better than you would your own. You might just be surprised on how helpful someone who is out there every day can be when pursuing game.
Less noticeable actions but extremely sad comes from those that simply do not respect the game they pursue. I have seen whole bull elk left on the side of a road with only the cape taken home. It pains my soul as a sportsman to see this. An animal whose life is taken away by such a greedy and ungrateful human being is disgraceful. This threatens our sport severely by giving fuel to animal rights activists and basically proving that this type of behavior exists by so called sportsman. Have we become so selfish? Is the scoring part of an animal all that is valuable to us? I don’t feel it is wide spread but even one occasion is enough. Another dishonorable behavior I have observed is shots taken with other illegal or unintended animals in the foreground or background. Just be patient and wait for a good shot. Bullets and arrows more than likely will go completely so be mindful of what is happening all around the animal you intend on taking. Not making a serious effort to recover wounded game is also becoming a problem. Folks I have searched for days for an animal I have hit because of a poor placed shot. If you make the choice to take a shot that was more difficult than your capabilities or something transpired to cause a trajectory change that is still your responsibility to give 150% to find and recover that animal. Don’t even think about pursuing another animal that season. As far as I am concerned you have harvested and counts to your total (for those of you lucky enough to be able to have multiple harvests).
Having respect for other sportsman is a wide spread problem. I don't know how many times I have been sitting a blind and observed someone not bother to look around an observe that someone has set up a blind and might be there already. Now I know that sometimes we are in a tree and you are not looking up high just like the game we pursue. But man during hunting season you got to be mindful of your surroundings! If you do accidently walk in on somebody at least give a gesture of remorse. Also I hate to hear the stories of how somebody’s game camera was stolen. This is terrible and very costly. Someone spent a big chunk of a paycheck for that gear so just let it be. Who knows you might even get to share the knowledge that is gained from its use.
In conclusion I believe that sportsman just need to stop thinking about only themselves and obtaining that trophy of their desires at the expense of lowering their values and ethics. We all need to work together. I know I have only covered but a small bit of info on Sportsman ethics. If you are new to hunting you should take a hunter education course. Join a good group in your location and learn as much as you can and please continue to treat our sport, the game we pursue and each other with respect. Thank you for reading my articles please pass it on so that maybe we can refresh some ones memory as to why we need to behave ethically in life and in the field.
The unethical conduct that is the most common and easiest to see is the damage of land by today’s ATV’s, OHV’s and off road vehicle travel. Roads are made for a purpose. But all that it takes is for one lazy person in a vehicle to drive off the main road then the next guy arrives behind him and thinks hey he went there so I guess I can too! All of the sudden you have another road and land destruction. From there it just escalates because there is always some idiot to go off even that road. Next thing you know you have a network of roads, trails that were never meant to be there. Then what you get is an annoyed land owner or lessee and he decides to put locks on all the gates and close off the property to Sportsman like most of us who practice proper ethics. Another problem that has been impacting our sport is target shooting and vandalism. This has been going on for years and really is discouraging to see the after effects. When target shooting, simply pick up all your garbage and put it in the garbage where it belongs (on State trust land here in Arizona it is illegal to shoot targets so pay attention to the land use rules before entering). So simple but again there is always one idiot out there not cleaning up their camp site or temporary gun range. Observing the mess and not cleaning it up on your own is also unethical. Mother nature gives us so much so give back! Don’t think you’re cleaning up after an idiot. Consider it saving our sport. Now I know there are organized cleanups from different groups but cleanups once in a while help alot but don’t solve the problem. Besides it will make you proud you cleaned up the mess and give you more of a sense of ownership to your favored spot.
Vandalism is also a great concern. Do not shoot signs, water storage tanks and equipment. I don’t know how much money the ranch my father is working for has spent on replacement of this equipment,but tens of thousands if not more. This equipment helps the wildlife to thrive during a drought and signs help keep the people who are new to our sport understand rules of use a little better. Destroying signs, fences, gates and other property sets the tone for behavior and gives sportsman a bad name. Usually they are the first thing you see upon entering a property. Property owners and leasers’ can be quite helpful to sportsman if they and their property are given the respect they deserve. So practice treating other folks property better than you would your own. You might just be surprised on how helpful someone who is out there every day can be when pursuing game.
Less noticeable actions but extremely sad comes from those that simply do not respect the game they pursue. I have seen whole bull elk left on the side of a road with only the cape taken home. It pains my soul as a sportsman to see this. An animal whose life is taken away by such a greedy and ungrateful human being is disgraceful. This threatens our sport severely by giving fuel to animal rights activists and basically proving that this type of behavior exists by so called sportsman. Have we become so selfish? Is the scoring part of an animal all that is valuable to us? I don’t feel it is wide spread but even one occasion is enough. Another dishonorable behavior I have observed is shots taken with other illegal or unintended animals in the foreground or background. Just be patient and wait for a good shot. Bullets and arrows more than likely will go completely so be mindful of what is happening all around the animal you intend on taking. Not making a serious effort to recover wounded game is also becoming a problem. Folks I have searched for days for an animal I have hit because of a poor placed shot. If you make the choice to take a shot that was more difficult than your capabilities or something transpired to cause a trajectory change that is still your responsibility to give 150% to find and recover that animal. Don’t even think about pursuing another animal that season. As far as I am concerned you have harvested and counts to your total (for those of you lucky enough to be able to have multiple harvests).
Having respect for other sportsman is a wide spread problem. I don't know how many times I have been sitting a blind and observed someone not bother to look around an observe that someone has set up a blind and might be there already. Now I know that sometimes we are in a tree and you are not looking up high just like the game we pursue. But man during hunting season you got to be mindful of your surroundings! If you do accidently walk in on somebody at least give a gesture of remorse. Also I hate to hear the stories of how somebody’s game camera was stolen. This is terrible and very costly. Someone spent a big chunk of a paycheck for that gear so just let it be. Who knows you might even get to share the knowledge that is gained from its use.
In conclusion I believe that sportsman just need to stop thinking about only themselves and obtaining that trophy of their desires at the expense of lowering their values and ethics. We all need to work together. I know I have only covered but a small bit of info on Sportsman ethics. If you are new to hunting you should take a hunter education course. Join a good group in your location and learn as much as you can and please continue to treat our sport, the game we pursue and each other with respect. Thank you for reading my articles please pass it on so that maybe we can refresh some ones memory as to why we need to behave ethically in life and in the field.
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