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Ethical? Why even ask?
A couple of weeks ago I participated in Deer and Deer Hunting's Webinar with Ted Nugent. One of the topics he discussed was the habit of hunters in the media to "reinforce" the idea that we, as hunters, are ethical and our shots are ethical. Uncle Ted's opinion was that the very action of saying we are ethical or that a shot was ethical gives credit to the argument that there could be a question of ethics and hunting. By falling over our-selves to assure others that we acted with moral or ethical character we almost look as if we are hiding something.
I agree with The Nug. Ending every report or story with an "and of course this was done ethically," detracts from the absolute right of we the citizens of the United States of America to hunt for food and pleasure. Our laws say we have the right to hunt. Science lends validity to hunting as a management tool. Our right to hunt has been granted by no less then the God of the Universe. Why then must we validate our "ethical practice" when telling of our endeavors. I am a hunter, therefore I am most assuredly ethical. I follow the written law. I practice sound judgement.
I stand with Ted Nugent and implore all hunters and outdoors men and women to remember that our right to hunt is God given and government approved. Be not ashamed, shy, or slow to live and act with confidence and right standing. Be proud of our passion. When we tell of a successful hunt, ethical rightness is inherent in the statement. Moral standing is interwoven in the practice of outdoorsmanship.
In a time when groups feel the urge to apologize for being Americans or of a certain ethnic origin, I guess I can understand how the habit of timidity and passivity has been bread into the very nature of our societies language. It is time for this to stop. We were once a proud people. Be proud with me once more. Be hunters.
Comments(3):
Ethicl Why Even Ask?
Wednesday, January 05, 2011 Roger
I find much in your article with which I am in agreement Mr. Sawyer, but I must speak up in reference to the statement, "I am a hunter, therefore I am most assuredly ethical. I follow the written law. I practice sound judgement." Sorry dude, my life experiences DO NOT support such a broad generalization. Case in point, your seminar buddy Mr. Nugent who is an unabashed and renown "Hunter." This same person failed on two recent occasions in California and South Dakota to either "follow the written law" or "practice sound judgement." His specific behavior will echo throughout the anti-hunting and anti-gun world with much more clarity and resonance than ANY well intended reference what you have deemed an oxymoronic statement such as justifying an action with the phrase "ethical." I believe strongly that ethics are a cornerstone of a person's behavior code frequently mentioned in the phrase "Core Values." Simply stated, words to live by are simply words unless you LIVe by them. The nature of our passion for shooting sports and hunting demand that we as practicioners deplay behaviors and values that seek to be above reproach. Ironically our detractors are not required by the media and other pundants to adhere to a similiar standard. Forgive my rambling but I shall not refrain from spending 20% of my classroom time as a hunter education volunteer instructor presenting and mentoring the concept and marriage of ethics and hunting, for they are only synonymous when we as practioners display them synonymously and conciously!
Thank you Roger for your educated response.
Friday, January 07, 2011 Brent
First let me clarify. My statement, "I follow the written law. I practice sound judgment", was a description of me, Brent Sawyer, and not meant as a generalization. I hope this correction will remove any taint that may have occurred when you first read this blog. As for Mr. Nugent, I am unaware of the particular actions you mentioned, and do not presume to critique his character. I hoped to use a specific interaction, in this case the Deer and Deer Hunting Webinar, as a means to open up a thought process. In that regards, I appear to have succeeded. In fact, your reference to "Core Values" is precisely the foundation upon which I based my opinionated writings. It has been my experience that the readers of Talkhunting Magazine and the Talkhunting.com forum are, in fact, people of strong ethics and moral values. It is to these people that I hope to offer encouragement and affirmation, solidifying our bond as a community of like-minded citizens. I applaud you for your service in education of hunters and shooters and thank you for adding to this conversation. I want readers to hear me say that we should be living and acting above reproach and for this reason alone is it that I feel right in saying "therefore I am most assuredly ethical." I added a link to Ted Nugent's article, "Ethics...Shmethics" and to the Deer and Deer Hunting Webinar where Mr. Nugent made the comments I spoke of. http://us.mc431.mail.yahoo.com/mc/welcome?.gx=1&.tm=1294429461&.rand=8olfeq7k8qgr8#_pg=showMessage&sMid=0&&filterBy=&.rand=1382282367&midIndex=0&mid=1_79088_AEN5%2FNgAAGm1TSdU5wL751lU7ds&f=1&fromId=deerhunting-newsletter@outdoors-community.com&m=1_79088_AEN5%2FNgAAGm1TSdU5wL751lU7ds,1_75179_AEt5%2FNgAADteTSb8fQ4U5F7jJMA,1_22342_AEh5%2FNgAAHhVTR4HQQEEpUDxHmk,1_38923_AEJ5%2FNgAATmXTQbE8QAmYhhwEBY,1_39419_AEZ5%2FNgAAQu6TQas7Q1HSksOUjc,1_41020_AEJ5%2FNgAAC%2F2TQLU3wVRgyRWMK0,&sort=date&order=down&startMid=0&hash=a39d9224390d8618185090aec7a5b657&.jsrand=5855674
correction on internet link
Saturday, January 08, 2011 Brent
This is the link to the Deer and Deer Hunting article. http://deeranddeerhunting.com/article/nugent-ethics-schmethics/?utm_source=ExactTargetMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=01-07-11+Deer+Hunting+NL
