Observing the Hunter's Ethical Code
Over time, hunters have developed a code of ethics that is observed to this day.
Respect Natural Resources:
- Leave the land better than you found it.
- Adhere to fair chase rules.
- Know your capabilities and limitations as a marksman, and stay within your effective range.
- Strive for a quick, clean kill.
- Ensure that meat and usable parts are not wasted.
- Treat both game and non-game animals ethically.
- Abide by game laws and regulations.
- Cooperate with conservation officers.
- Report game violations.
Respect Other Hunters:
- Follow safe firearm handling practices, and insist your companions do the same.
- Refrain from interfering with another’s hunt.
- Avoid consuming alcohol, which can impair you to the point of endangering others.
- Share your knowledge and skills with others.
Respect Landowners:
- Ask landowners for permission to hunt.
- Follow their restrictions on when and where you may hunt.
- Treat livestock and crops as your own.
- Offer to share a part of your harvest with the owner.
- Leave all gates the way you found them.
- If you notice something wrong or out of place, notify the landowner immediately.
- Never enter private land that is cultivated or posted, unless you have obtained permission first.
Respect Non-Hunters:
- Transport animals discreetly—don’t display them.
- Keep firearms out of sight.
- Refrain from taking graphic photographs of the kill and from vividly describing the kill while within earshot of non-hunters.
- Maintain a presentable appearance while on the street—no bloody or dirty clothing.
Approached by a Conservation Officer
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Video Transcript
A rabbit nibbles on some grass. Turner takes aim and fires.
Rob: Did you get it?
Turner: I don’t know. I don’t think so.
Rob: All right. Let’s go check it out.
Turner: OK.
A truck drives past with two Colorado Division of Wildlife Officers inside. One picks up the CB radio.
Female officer: Dispatch wildlife 221. We’re out on the North State Wildlife Area. We got a couple hunters out here we’re going to go check.
Rob: I don’t know. Looks like a clean miss, buddy.
Turner: Darn.
The female officer shouts from the distance, “Hello. Colorado Wildlife Officer. How are you guys doing today?”
Turner: Uh-oh. Did we do something wrong?
Rob: This is a situation a lot of hunters find themselves in. There are proper actions to take when approached by a conservation officer. But you’d be surprised at what careless and dangerous things people do in situations like this.
On screen: BAD BEHAVIORS
Female officer: Can I see your license?
As Rob checks his wallet, he points his firearm in the officer’s direction.
On screen: UNSAFE MUZZLE
Rob: Unintentionally pointing your muzzle at an officer or another hunter is dangerous. Carrying a gun in a menacing manner is not a good idea.
On screen: MENACING MANNER
As officers approach Rob and Turner, Rob lifts his gun and carries it behind his head.
Rob: It can convey the wrong message and can make for a negative interaction.
On screen: FINGER IN TRIGGER
Rob: Not checking the safety and keeping the finger inside the trigger guard is another dangerous idea. It’s unsafe any time you’re interacting with a person.
On screen: FLEE
Rob: Fleeing from an officer is the worst idea. If you have a reason to run from the conservation officer, you shouldn’t be hunting in the first place. As reckless and careless as some of these may seem, a lot of people can get nervous when approached by a conservation officer. And they forget the rules of safe gun handling. So let’s show you the right way.
Male officer: Guys, we’re checking some licenses today. If you could just make your firearms safe, I’d appreciate it.
On screen: ACKNOWLEDGE OFFICER
Rob: First, acknowledge the officer. Sure thing. Give us just a second.
On screen: CONTROL MUZZLE
Rob: Point your muzzle in a safe direction.
On screen: CHECK SAFETY
Rob: Recheck to make sure the safety is on, and keep your finger out of the trigger guard.
On screen: UNLOAD FIREARM
Rob: Unload your gun, and check the action to be sure it’s unloaded.
On screen: RESPECT OFFICER
Rob: And finally, follow the conservation officer’s instructions and respect their requests.
Male officer, to Turner: Can I hold that for you while you get your license out of your pocket?
Rob: They’re just doing their job to make hunting safer for everyone.
Male officer: Guys, thanks again for being so safe in handling your firearms today. You wouldn’t believe some of the things we see out here in the field. So we appreciate it. Have a good afternoon.
Rob: Thanks. So what will you do when you’re approached by a conservation officer? Well, use what you’ve learned here today. And respect the important role that they play in protecting wildlife and keeping hunting safe for all of us. All right. Let’s get back to it.