Hunter Ethics and Social Acceptance of Hunting
Brad Johnson, Washington Wildlife Federation

Ethics is defined by Webster’s II Dictionary as, “a principal of right or good conduct; a system of moral values.” So what then is Hunter Ethics? Much has already been written on this subject, covering a broad range of topics such as land ethics, field conduct, sportsman-landowner relations, hunter behavior, etc. Today, more than ever, people are questioning whether hunting has a proper place in modern society.

The vast majority of our ever-increasing population is getting further removed from nature. Hollywood movies, television, video games and the Internet are replacing personal experience with a new nature “fantasy.” Many kids don’t even know how their hamburger got to the supermarket and they see hunting as something cruel and inhuman. Like it or not, it is so important that we recognize and appreciate other peoples views on hunting and be tolerant of their diverse views. Only in this way can we help educate others as to why hunting is so important to us and to the health of wildlife populations.

Hunters must realize that their sport is under a more critical eye than ever before. It is important to be the best we can be when afield hunting by not trespassing, picking up after ourselves, following the game laws, putting something back in the way of conservation activities, and passing these values onto the next generation. Equally important is the issue of fair chase when deciding our hunting techniques and equipment choices.

Researchers Bob Jackson and Bob Norton recognized and defined five stages of hunting. First, the “shooter stage”, which is a measure of the quality of the hunt by how much shooting one gets. Second, the “limiting out stage”, occurs when one gains major satisfaction from limiting out. Third, “trophy stage”, comes from selective hunting. Fourth, “method stage”, occurs when the taking of game becomes secondary to the method by which it is taken. Typically, the progression is from modern firearms to more challenging methods such as archery. Fifth, the “sportsman stage”, is where one may be satisfied just to be out enjoying and sharing the outdoor experience. All hunters may not go through every stage and a person may be at one stage in one type of hunting and at a different stage for other kinds of hunting.

Most hunters will have slightly different goals while hunting and this fact alone may give rise to many philosophical questions. Is it socially acceptable to harvest game using any method or equipment so long as wildlife population goals are maintained? What is fair chase and who should define it? How mentally and physically challenging should hunting be? What should the hunter success rates be? Should the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife be concerned with regulating certain types of equipment such as night vision aides, “Robo” duck decoys, etc.

Ethical hunters embrace some basic principals. Here are some of my thoughts on the subject. I believe we should make our equipment choices so we humanly kill our game and not just because we get better opportunities using “primitive” methods. I believe we should take only the amount game we want to eat; not more just to win bragging rights. I believe our wildlife management practices should provide sufficient challenge to the hunt. I believe that hunters who practice shooting, scout, exercise and prepare for a hunt deserve higher success. I believe that the disabled and senior hunters deserve opportunities for good success too if they are truly putting in the effort. I believe younger hunters should have opportunities to gain experience. I believe that biology and good science should dictate wildlife management not voter initiatives. I believe methods or equipment regulations that make our sport of hunting easier are moving us in the wrong direction.

I love the sport of hunting because it challenges the very core of my being and requires me to develop and use all of my instincts, intelligence, experience, and skill. I have developed a spiritual connection with nature and the game I pursue. Remember, hunters initiated the wildlife conservation movement and it is important for us to carry on the tradition by staying involved and practicing the highest standards of hunter ethics.