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RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPECT: A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR HUNTERS

A HUNTER'S PLEDGE

Responsible hunting provides unique challenges and rewards. However,
the future of the sport depends on each hunter's behavior and ethics.
Therefore, as a hunter, I pledge to:

RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE.

- Show respect for the wildlife you hunt by taking only clean, killing
shots, then retrieving and properly handling your game. Take only what
you will use, even if it is under the legal limit.

- Learn to tread lightly while afield. Use vehicles only on
established roads and trails, practice low-impact camping and travel,
and pack out your trash, including cigarette butts and spent shell
casings.

- Report illegal activities immediately.

RESPECT PROPERTY AND LANDOWNERS.

- Always get permission to hunt on private land.

- Close any gates you open. and never damage crops or property,
including fences, outbuildings and livestock.

- Alert landowners or land managers about any problems you find on
their property.

- Share your game with the landowner, or say thank you in some other
way.

SHOW CONSIDERATION FOR NONHUNTERS.

- Remember that the future of hunting depends on hunters and
nonhunters alike. Be considerate of nonhunters' sensibilities, and
strive to leave them with positive images of hunting and hunters.

- Don't flaunt your kill. Treat game carcasses in an inoffensive
manner, particularly during transport.

- Be considerate of all outdoor users, including other hunters.

HUNT SAFELY.

- Exercise caution at all times.

- Fire your gun or bow only when you are absolutely sure of your
target and its background. Use binoculars, not your rifle scope, to
identify your target.

- Wear hunter orange whenever appropriate or required while afield.

- Remember that hunting and alcohol don't mix.

KNOW AND OBEY THE LAW.

- Obtain proper tags and licenses.

- Hunt only in allowed areas and during designated times and seasons.
Read hunting regulations carefully.

- Obey bag and possession limits.

- Use only legal hunting methods and equipment.

SUPPORT WILDLIFE AND HABITAT CONSERVATION.

- Provide hands-on and financial support for conservation of game and
nongame species and their habitats.

- Learn more about wildlife and habitat issues, and urge policymakers
to support strong conservation initiatives.

- Become involved in wildlife conservation organizations and their
programs.

- Purchase state and federal wildlife conservation stamps, even if
such stamps are not required for hunting.

PASS ON AN ETHICAL HUNTING TRADITION.

- Invite a young person or a nonhunter next time you go afield to
scout or hunt.

- Attend a hunter education course, and urge others to do the same.

- Set high ethical standards for future generations of hunters to help
ensure hunting will continue.

STRIVE TO IMPROVE MY OUTDOOR SKILLS AND UNDERSTANDING OF WILDLIFE.

- Know the limitations of your skills and equipment, and hunt within
those limits.

- Improve your outdoor skills to become more observant, a better
hunter and a better teacher.

- Sight-in your firearm and bow, and practice shooting to ensure a
clean kill in the field.

- Learn more about the habits and habitats of game and nongame
wildlife and their management needs.

HUNT ONLY WITH ETHICAL HUNTERS.

- Take pride in being an ethical hunter.

- Insist that your hunting partners behave in a responsible, ethical
manner.

- Compete only with yourself.

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Compete only with yourself

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