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| RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPECT: A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR HUNTERS "A HUNTER'S PLEDGE" Responsible hunting provides unique challenges and rewards. However, the future of the sport depends on each hunter's behavior and etics. Therefore, as a hunter, I pledge to: RESPECT THE ENVIROMENT AND WILDLIFE: ~ Show respect for the wildlife you hunt by taking only clean, killing shots, then retrieving and properly handling your game. Take only what you will use, even if it is under the legal limit. ~ Learn to tread lightly while afield. Use vehicles only on established roads and trails, practice low-impact camping and travel, and pack your trash, including cigarette butts and spent shell casings. ~ Report illegal activities immediately. RESPECT PROPERTY AND LANDOWNERS: ~ Always get permission to hunt on private land. ~ Close any gates you open, and never damage crops or property, including fences, outbuildings and livestock. Alert landowners or land managers about any problems you find on their property. ~ Share your game with the landowner, or say thank you in some other way. SHOW CONSIDERATION FOR NONHUNTERS: ~ Remeber that the future of hunting depends on hunters and nonhunters alike. Be considerate of nonhunter's sensibilities, and strive to leave them with positive images of hunting and hunters. ~ Don't flaunt your kill. Treat game carcasses in an inoffensive manner, particularly during transport. ~ Be considerate of all outdoor users, including other hunters. HUNT SAFELY: ~ Exercise caution at all times. ~ Fire your gun or bow only when you are absolutely sure o fyour target and it's background. Use binoculars, not your rifle scope, to identify your target. ~ Wear hunter orange whenever appropriate or required while afield. ~ Remember that hunting and alcohol don't mix. KNOW AND OBEY THE LAW: ~ Obtain proper tags and licenses. ~ Hunt only in allowed areas and during designated times and seasons. Read hunting regulations carefully. ~ Obey bag and possession limits. ~ Use nly legal hunting methods and equipment. SUPPORT WILDLIFE AND HABITAT CONSERVATION: ~ Provide hands-on and financial support for conservation of game and nongame species and their habitats. ~ Learn more about wildlife and habitat issues, and urge policy makers to support strong conservation initiatives. ~ Become involved in wildlife conservation organizations and their programs. ~ Purchase state and federal wildlife conservation stamps, even if such stamps are not required for hunting. PASS ON ETHICAL HUNTING TRADITION: ~ Invite a young person or a nonhunter next time you go afield to scout for hunt. ~ Attend a hunter education course, and urge others to do the same. ~ Set high ethical standards for future generatins of hunters to help ensure hunting will continue. STRIVE TO IMPROVE MY OUTDOOR SKILLS AND UNDERSTANDING OF WILDLIFE: ~ Know the limitations of your skills and equipment, and hunt with those limits. ~ Improve your outdoor skills to become more observant, a better hunter and a better teacher. ~ Site-in your firearm and bow, and practive shooting to ensure a clean kill in the field. ~ Learn more about the habits, and habitats of game and nongame wildlife and their management needs. HUNTING ONLY WITH ETHICAL HUNTERS: ~ Take pride in being an ethical hunter. ~ Insist that your hunting partners behave in a responsible, ethical manner. ~ Compete only with yourself. The Hunter's Code of Conduct was created cooperatively the: International Association Of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Izaak Walton League of America National Rife Association Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Tread Lightly! Inc. Sport Fishing Institue Times Mirror Magazines Conservation Council U.S. Department of Agriculture-Extension SErvice Wildlife Management Institute The Hunter's Code was produced by the Izaak Walton League of America. It may be used freely by any hunter or hunting group. Copies may be obtained free of charge from the: Izaak Walton League of America 707 Conservation Lane Gaithersburg, MD 20878-2983 (301) 548-0150 |
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