[rimrock]

Forgive me if you feel I’m overstating a position, IMHO it’s very important. It’s just we frequently have very good stories of hunting tales and pictures of people with game which are pretty cool, but I felt a real life story of excellent hunting ethics would be of benefit as well since this subject isn’t normally posted:

Recently in California I was sitting in the hunter check station with the Refuge guys I work with and a hunter with his teenage son came in. The father told us he shot a bird over his limit. He was one short of filling his bag and a pair of mallards came in flying tightly together and he dropped them both with one shot.

The law enforcement officer was obligated to give him a $50 ticket (the lowest he could). In the background he could hear other hunters saying things like, “why did you tell them”, “you should of just hide it” and “why didn’t you throw the extra bird in the reeds?” The officer told the Dad if he contested the ticket he’d help him get it thrown out, but the Dad said no he’d pay it. He said, “I shouldn’t have shot at the pair being only one bird short of my limit.” I thought, WOW someone taking responsibly for their actions instead of blaming it on something else.

The officer and all of the Refuge staff including myself stood up and shook the man’s hand…we had nothing but respect for this guy despite all the head shakes going on around from the other “ethical” hunters.

Then I noticed something as they walked away. The teenager who hadn’t said a word the entire time had the greatest look of pride on his face as he looked at his Dad. I thought to myself what would any Father “paid” for that! I’m sure his Dad spoke ethics to his son all the time, but living it out before him was beyond any speech. Sure $50 is quite a fine for something completely unintentional, but it’s little compared to having integrity and being respected.

Ethics AREN’T relative!!!! Legal is legal and illegal is illegal – no matter how one wants to justify it. Really who do we respect more the guy who says, “Shoot, shovel and shut-up” or someone who actually takes responsibility for their actions?

I’m not talking about being “perfect” people. The Dad wasn’t perfect either but he wasn’t trying in anyway to justify his actions either.

 

[rimrock]

Thanks all it was a great experience. You’re right skein, who wouldn’t want this guy as a hunting partner? I truly admire this father and it was another reaffirming lesson for me as a father of young children to live out being a good role model. I was truly surprised at the number of hunters who scoffed at him??? – Like he was a fool and not a man of great integrity.

It was a great lesson for the teenager; you don’t have to be “perfect” in life just be responsible for your actions. You should have seen the look on his face despite the scoffing he was soooo proud of his Dad. :smash:

IMO the heritage of hunting, let alone in all aspects of life, relies on promoting what’s right and denying what’s wrong – this is our mutual responsibility to pass along. We should NEVER support, imply, or intentional practice breaking any game law. EVER!!! This does at times happen here. It is my hope it will become curbed, and the reason why I shared this story.

Hunting will continue for a long, long time in the U.S., but the length of time will be greatly determined by how well hunters conduct themselves. We don’t need to think we’re walking on eggshells; just be ethical in what we say and do. The majority of people even in Oregon really don’t care about hunting, they only care if we give them reason it.

 

[rimrock]

What a fine tribute to a fine hunting partner. I’m sure he’s proud of ya! His character living out in his son, that’s quite a heritage. Thanks for the story. :applause: :applause: