It seems of late that there are a large number of threads positing questions about hunting ethics and morals, and they usually elicit numerous answers from people whose ideas vary widely.

"Is it fair chase if I...?"

"Would you hunt on land that had been expropriated from...?"

"If I shoot a female elephant/lion/leopard/whatever...?"

I'm sure you know the type of thread that I mean. I tend to think that they are a waste of time, and now I'm going to waste a bit of it myself. My question: What possesses people to seek out justification from others for these actions? They must have strong feelings about these issues. If you think that it (whatever it is) is unethical, then it probably is, and certainly it is by your own moral compass. Do you want to be reassured that it's OK?

Someone (Aldo Leopold?) once wrote about the importance of the fact that, as hunters, we usually (or at least often) have no witnesses to the ethical choices that we make while in the field. It seems as though many among us are spending a lot of time looking over their shoulders.

You've got to live with yourself. No one else's opinion of you should matter as much as your own...IMHO, of course.

John

John, well spoken.

Many people should live by that statement.

Mike

great statement john - thank you

integrity is how you conduct yourself when you know nobody is looking - at times we as hunters are our own worst enemy !

quote:

Originally posted by jwm:
It seems of late that there are a large number of threads positing questions about hunting ethics and morals, and they usually elicit numerous answers from people whose ideas vary widely.

These threads have always taken up space on the forum, and probably always will due to the fact that many of us find them interesting.

When it comes down to it sport hunting, and to an even greater degree trophy hunting, are activities that rely on a complex set of unwritten rules.

quote:

Originally posted by jwm:
What possesses people to seek out justification from others for these actions? They must have strong feelings about these issues. If you think that it (whatever it is) is unethical, then it probably is, and certainly it is by your own moral compass. Do you want to be reassured that it's OK?
John

Many people have strong feelings about ethical issues, but most of us are willing to admit that we have more questions than answers.

I don't feel that most people are seeking justification for their actions, but rather a clarification of the accepted norms(which are pretty fluid BTW).

I can only speak for myself but many of my questions exist because we have never hunted Africa,,,, and we do not know what the accepted sportmanlike conduct, ethics....

Where else but here can you learn, pose your questions to an experienced group, hear what others say and make your own decision?

JIm

quote:

Originally posted by jwm:
It seems of late that there are a large number of threads positing questions about hunting ethics and morals, and they usually elicit numerous answers from people whose ideas vary widely.

I'm sure you know the type of thread that I mean. I tend to think that they are a waste of time,...
John

I couldn't agree with you more. What I think is based upon my life experiences, education and training and because they are substantially different than yours, what difference should my opinions have on these types of questions?

Now, if the question is about something I have proficiency or vast experience dealing with, then perhaps my opinion will have some influence on you. Or maybe not.

To question is to learn.

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
To question is to learn.

Well said but to disparage without knowledge is proof of ignorance.

Ethics, morals, proper behavior, right vs wrong...etc. are not easy issues to define. Man may be the measure of all things, but to discuss them does not automatically mean one is looking to justify one's behavior. A life unexamined in not worth living...right? I don't need somebody posting on this forum to give me moral permision to do something I want to do, but I'm sincerely interested in your thoughts. Regards, AIU

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
John, well spoken.

+1

Agreed.
Works the same way on paying your taxes.
I tell my kids and others to "be glad you do not get all of the government you are paying for."

Do the right thing and all works out in the end.

If you need to ask if it is the "right thing", you should not be doing it.

Don't worry----Progressives will soon legislate our "ethics"....