DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,228
- 5,734
I wonder if forum members would benefit from a forum on hunting ethics. I know that this can become a "hot" topic, and I know that there are practises that generate valid disagreement. However, in the main, I know that most hunters are ethical, concerned not merely to fulfil the letter of the law, but to show respect for the game and to practise safety when they shoot.
Perhaps such discussions would benefit younger shooters, and help some of older hunters to refresh our conscience and/or hone our ethics.
During the past several weeks, I know that I have passed on several shots because I could not verify what was behind a coyote as it sky lined itself, because I could not verify that a doe did not have fawn(s) [15 minutes of observation was necessary to discover that she did have twins], because I could not verify that a cow elk did not have a calf [she did], and because a legal bull moose was just on the edge of distance required before shooting near a private residence. Undoubtedly, any of the shots were doable, but the results would have been less than satisfying (potentially or actually). Potentially, I could have argued on any of the shots that they were legal, but I doubted they were ethical.
Any interest in a forum on such topics?
Perhaps such discussions would benefit younger shooters, and help some of older hunters to refresh our conscience and/or hone our ethics.
During the past several weeks, I know that I have passed on several shots because I could not verify what was behind a coyote as it sky lined itself, because I could not verify that a doe did not have fawn(s) [15 minutes of observation was necessary to discover that she did have twins], because I could not verify that a cow elk did not have a calf [she did], and because a legal bull moose was just on the edge of distance required before shooting near a private residence. Undoubtedly, any of the shots were doable, but the results would have been less than satisfying (potentially or actually). Potentially, I could have argued on any of the shots that they were legal, but I doubted they were ethical.
Any interest in a forum on such topics?