The ethical hunter

Every hunter develops personal ethical standards, which are a personal code that determines how they approach their hunting activities. Within current legal boundaries there may exist some hunting practices that other hunters consider unethical when measured against their own personal code.

A hunter’s personal hunting ethic goes well beyond social expectations and extends to the reasons for the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of hunting.

Many hunters are very specific in their hunting style and may practice only one form of hunting, such as rifle hunting or bowhunting. They may have expert knowledge in one method and be completely novice in another. The context of a hunt will determine how a hunter applies their hunting ethic.

For example:

• Is the hunt for pest control or for meat?
• Are the hunted animals abundant or sparse?
• Is the hunt on private or declared public land?
• Is the hunt a commercially guided hunt or a weekend outing with friends?

When hunting on both private and public lands in NSW, the minimum ethical standard expected of all hunters is based on a very sound and proven value — Respect.