Safety
A few years ago, my brother and I were glassing a sagebrush draw with a small herd of deer. In the herd was one small spike buck. We both decided that we were going to pass on this buck. As we were standing there, a truck drove down the ridge on the other side of the draw and stopped on the other side of the deer. To my amazement, these people began shooting at the buck with us directly behind the deer!! We quickly took cover and waited for the shooting to stop. Shooting at a big game animal can be a very exciting experience. However, hunters must remember that safety ALWAYS comes first and shooting game animals comes second. You can always get another opportunity at harvesting an animal, but you can never give someone their life back.
Shooting
Every hunter should take the time before the hunt to spend some time shooting their bow, rifle, or muzzleloader. Not only is it important to have the weapon sighted in accurately, but the shooter also needs to become familiar and comfortable with their weapon. Do some practice away from the range in more random settings and become familiar with judging distances. Some of the best target shooters have been known to blow their shot at a big game animal. It is the responsibility of every hunter to make the best shot they can. The animal deserves the respect of a clean and quick kill from a well practiced hunter.
Hunters should take some time and get in as close as possible to their target animal. Sure, cousin Johnny's Christensen Arms 300 RUM with the carbon fiber barrel topped with a Huskemaw scope will shoot 800 yards. My question is, why? With a little effort and stealth, hunters can usually get within 500 yards for a close and accurate shot. Your new Mathews bow may have an 80 yard pin, but should you take such a risky shot? Even close shots can result in a wounded animal. We all must remember to follow up on every shot and make every effort to recover any wounded game.
Respect Others Space
A few years ago, I had been watching a herd of elk all summer with a few branched antler bulls on a general season elk unit. Every morning they would feed out of a canyon and bed in some timber on the ridge above them. Opening morning came, and as I wait in my vehicle at the point where I planned to begin my hike, I was amazed that no other hunters were in the area. Then, about 10 minutes before shooting time, two vehicles pull up directly behind me and get out of their vehicles. They were making a ton of noise and began running in the direction of the elk. Needless to say, the elk all scattered, none of us shot an elk, and I was frustrated. We all need to give one another a little space. If you encounter someone sitting in a tree stand on a water hole, leave them alone and move on. There is plenty of room for everyone out there, without crowding in on someone else. Otherwise, talk to the other hunters already present and ask if they mind if you hunt alongside them.
Road Hunting
Lets face it, we all have road hunted from time to time. In some areas, its actually a pretty effective way of spotting large numbers of game animals. But road hunters can be very frustrating. Nothing bothers me more than trying to drive to my parking spot so I can begin my hike only to have a road hunter driving at snails pace, and will not let me pass because I might beat them to the game. If you are going to road hunt, pull over when someone comes up behind you.
Displaying Your Harvest
After harvesting an animal, hunters experience excitement and pride. It is only natural to want to show your animal off. There is nothing wrong with that. Hunters must always remember to do so in a tasteful and respectful manner. The world's eyes are upon the hunting community. Some people disagree with hunting. My point is, show the animal and other people respect by being tasteful in how you haul your trophy to town. I was disgusted one day when I saw a truck with a camper shell on the back driving through Vernal. Out of the back window of the shell hung the heads of a pair of two point bucks. These individuals went out of their way to display these animals in a less than tasteful fashion. I am not advocating that hunters "hide" their harvest, just make sure it is done in a manner that is not offensive to others.
Degrading Others Trophy's
An acquaintance drew out for a highly sought after limited entry elk tag a few years ago. After five days of hunting he killed a very nice 7x6 bull, and he was very excited and happy. The next day in town, he proudly showed some friends his bull. One of these individuals asked him why he shot that bull, didn't he want to shoot a bull that would score 380"? Of course the friend had seen several "380" bulls that year and knew right were they were (sarcasm intended). The hunter was deflated. The trophy is in the eye of the beholder. Each person has their own idea of what a trophy is. In today's hunting scene, people are all to often hung up on scores. Scores do not matter, they are just a number. Each hunter needs to make themselves happy with their trophy. The rest of us should just say "nice buck", or "good bull" and congratulate them on their achievement.
Hunting ethics are really an application of common sense, respect, and courtesy to others and the wildlife hunters pursue. As long as hunters remain thoughtful of these principles while hunting in the field, I believe they will find the experience is going to be enjoyable for them and other sportsmen they may encounter. Have a great hunting season!
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