How to Be an Ethical Hunter

Here are some ideas to consider that will qualify you as an ethical hunter.

• If you hunt on private land, be sure to obtain permission from the landowner and respect his/her property as if it were your own. Scout the area you plan to hunt to know where the boundaries, houses, roads, fences, and livestock are situated on the property.
• If you do not kill your game instantly, make every effort to find the wounded animal. Permission is required to enter private land.
• Pick up all litter, including spent ammunition.
• Report observed violations of the law to an AGFC wildlife officer (call 800-482-9292 at any time of day) or local law enforcement as soon as possible. Report any firearm-related accident and render assistance.
• Understand the limits of your firearm, the ammunition, and your skills as a shooter. Refrain from taking less optimal shots, regardless of the target’s “trophy quality.”
• Respect the rights of hunters, non-hunters, and landowners.
• Make every effort to retrieve and use all game.
• Dispose of unusable animal parts properly.
• Be sensitive to others when displaying harvested game.
• Remember: Hunting is not a competitive sport.