Hunter Responsibility By:Amanda Porter and John Utecht Provided by Dr. James Corbett, Lowndes Co. High School GA Ag Ed Curriculum Office To accompany Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Lesson July 2001

Objectives o Students will understand why wildlife laws are necessary in today’s society. o Students will understand that moral codes or ethics are just as important to the well- being of wildlife as are the wildlife laws. o Students will understand the two types of codes that all hunters should follow.

Objectives cont. o Students will be able to list the three basic reasons for all game laws. o Students will learn that there are certain self-imposed rules which all responsible hunters follow before and during hunting.

Words to Know Responsible-you must answer for or account for your actions. Rights-power to which a person has a just claim. Privileges-exceptional benefits allowed to individuals or groups.

Hunter’s Code *compiled by the National Rifle Association. 1. I will consider myself an invited guest of the landowner, seeking his permission and so conducting myself that I maybe welcome in the future. 2. I will obey the rules of safe firearm handling and courteously but firmly insist that others who hunt with me do the same.

Hunters codes cont. 3. I will obey all game laws and regulations and will insist that my companions do likewise. 4. I will do my best to acquire those marksmanship and hunting skills which assure clean,sports man like skills 5. I will support conservation efforts which can assure good hunting for future generation. 6. I will pass along to new hunters the attitude and skills essential to a true outdoor sportsman.

Responsible Hunting! Plan for a hunt by scouting the area * county plat books or tax rolls can give names of rural landowners Use maps and compasses. Know the boundaries of the property they will be hunting. Carefully prepare all hunting equipment before the hunt.

Hunters Respect Respect the rights of landowners to privacy, security, and safety. Ask permission far in advance of hunting seasons to hunt on private land. Treat property as careful guest should. Offer to work for the landowners in return for hunting permission

Rights and Privileges Hunting private land without permission is trespassing (you can be arrested and fined for trespassing) Irresponsible hunting practices could cause landowners to close their land to future hunting. Hunters must always leave fences and gates as they found them. Good hunters not only pack out their own litter, but others’ litter as well. Obey laws regarding disposal of game entrails.

Public View of Hunting In 1978 Dr. Stephen Kellert sampled 3,107 people from every state except Hawaii. 25% of the general public were hunters at one time in their lives. 60% approved hunting if the game was utilized for meat but did not favor it solely for recreation. 40% did not approve of any form of recreational hunting.

Public View of Hunting cont. Some hunters prefer eating wild game to domestic animals. They feel the taste is better and the meat is healthier. There are no additives in wild game Other hunters want to test, maintain,and improve their skill at finding,tracking,and tacking game.

Examples of Irresponsible Hunting  Poor firearms safety  Ignorance of laws and their consequences  Behavior that offends others

Irresponsible Hunting Showing off to impress friends. Bagging game or “limiting out”. violating game laws by taking game out of season, or before or after shooting hours, are poachers.

Responsible Hunting You must always identify your target and what is beyond. Setting realistic goals and bag limits makes hunting safer and more enjoyable. Know your own limitations and abilities A responsible hunter will think of safety first, and shooting game second. Know and obey bag limits

Five Stages of a Sport Hunter Shooter stage Limiting out stage Trophy stage Method stage Sportsman stage

Shooter Stage Missing game in this stage means little to the hunters May be a dangerous hunting partner Wants to pull the trigger and test the capability of his firearm Will talk about the number of shooting opportunities. The hunter talks about satisfaction with hunting being closely tied to being able “get shooting”.

Limiting Stage Still talks about satisfaction gained from shooting Measuring success through the killing of game and the number of birds or animals shot is more important Limiting out, or filling a tag, is the absolute measure.

Trophy Stage Satisfaction is described in terms of selectivity of game. A hunter might travel far to find a real trophy animal. Shooting opportunity and skills become more important.

Method Stage Has all the special equipment. Hunting has become one of the most important things in his life. Taking game is important, but second to how it is taken. Will often handicap himself by hunting only with black powder firearms or bow and arrow. Bagging game is understood as being a necessary part of the hunt.

Sportsman Stage Satisfaction now can be found in the total hunting experience. Being in the field, enjoying the company of friends and family, and seeing nature outweigh the need for taking game. Not all hunters go through all the stages, or in that particular order.

Hunter’s Review 1.Define hunter’s responsibility. Hunter’s responsibility means practicing safe, knowledgeable behavior. 2. What are four of the basic responsibilities of a hunter? Responsibility to obey game laws,to the landowner, to the land, to the game.

Hunter’s Review 3. The National Rifle Association lists six rules which make up a hunter’s code. Name their concepts. 1. I will consider myself an invited guest of the landowner, seeking his permission and so conducting myself that I maybe welcome in the future. 2. I will obey the rules of safe firearm handling and courteously but firmly insist that others who hunt with me do the same.

Hunter’s Review  I will obey all game laws and regulations and will insist that my companions do likewise.  I will do my best to acquire those marksmanship and hunting skills which assure clean,sports man like skills  I will support conservation efforts which can assure good hunting for future generation.  I will pass along to new hunters the attitude and skills essential to a true outdoor sportsman.

Hunter’s Review 4. Explain why hunting is a privilege, not a right. Owners of private land do not have to give you permission to hunt on their land in Georgia.

Hunter’s Review 5. Name the five different stages of a hunter and explain the major characteristics of each stage. Shooter stage- Missing game in this stage means little to the hunters, may be a dangerous hunting partner; limiting out stage-Measuring success through the killing of game and the number of birds or animals shot is more important; trophy stage-Shooting opportunity and skills become more important; method stage- Hunting has become one of the most important things in his life; sportsman stage- Satisfaction now can be found in the total hunting experience.

Hunter’s Review 6. Responsible and courteous hunters respect which three rights of a landowner? Privacy,security, and safety. 7. Why is it important to preserve positive opinion and change negative opinion about hunting? So that the generations to come will be able to hunt.