Module 2.3

Hunting ethics campaign started in Montana

    This week's ethical debate is not whether to hunt or not, rather how to hunt "ethically" or properly.  Once a person decides to hunt animals, whether its for food or sport; that "hunter" must obey the laws.  Most states have seasons for different animals, and a suggested way for taking, harvesting, or killing the animals.  For instance, in Ohio where I live there is a serious overpopulation of deer, specifically white tailed deer.  The seasons are adjusted annually so that the right number of animals are taken, and are no longer a nuisance or a danger to drivers.  There are bow hunting seasons, black powder seasons, and gun seasons among others, but it is controlled and regulated tightly.  You have to "check in" your deer at a processing station once you've harvested one.  This keeps the hunter accountable, and also is a way for the state to know how many deer were taken.  

    

    So what happens when hunters take deer illegally, or by an unfair means?  Hunting, in my opinion should be about the hunt; hunter vs. hunted!  If you are using your vehicle to "herd" an animal so you can shoot it, that's a very unfair advantage.  At that point it's no longer a hunt, it's like "shooting fish in a barrel."  Another unfair advantage taken by some unethical hunters is shooting into a herds of animals.  This requires no skill, and is just plain stupid.  

For me, there's nothing like bowhunting, where you need need to be no more than 40-50 yards away from your animal; so close you can smell each other-now that's hunting!