Dept. of Game, Fish & Parks
For immediate release: Wednesday, October 17, 2001
For more information, contact Dave McCrea (605) 773-4243

BE A RESPONSIBLE SPORTSPERSON

PIERRE -- Responsibility is an important attribute of good hunting. However, each year the Game, Fish and Parks department is confronted with complaints and challenges related to hunters who exhibit irresponsible behavior when hunting in the field.

"Many times the complaint centers on littering, trespassing, making tire ruts in muddy fields, shooting from a motor vehicle or shooting too close to livestock or occupied houses," said Law Enforcement Specialist Dave McCrea. "Whatever the complaint, most circumstances boil down to a lack of common sense and lack of respect for both private property and wildlife resources. Hunting requires a person to act responsibly. Responsibility by hunters can help eliminate the negative label of 'slobs' that sometimes gets tacked on sportspeople."

Below is a list of guidelines McCrea recommends for hunters to set as standards for hunters to become more responsible:

1) First and foremost, respect the rights of landowners. By asking permission every time one hunts, hunters can adhere to the landowner's wishes. Many times this involves keeping safe distances from livestock and buildings, closing gates, keeping vehicles off of muddy roads and knowing where and where not to hunt. 

2) A hunter’s gun is a weapon. It is a dangerous tool, which if used irresponsibly, can have devastating results. By checking the sights and practicing to improve one's shooting skills, a person can understand their gun's limitations and their own skills.

3) To eliminate any chance of an accident, a responsible hunter should shoot only when he or she is absolutely certain of the target at which they are shooting. Make sure the target is in fact legal game. This also helps to reduce poor shooting and the loss of wounded game.

4) Select the proper ammunition. Hunters have the duty of selecting the best bullet or shotshell charge to ensure clean and humane harvesting of game. Improving your shooting skills and knowing proper killing ranges are critical to responsible ethics.

5) Use a well-trained dog when hunting birds. A hunter displays his or her 

commitment to being responsible by seeing that their hunting dog is well trained. A well-trained dog increases the enjoyment of the sport and helps one to find downed or wounded game, a step to avoid wasting a valuable resource.

6) Hunters should value what they harvest. A hunter is responsible by taking only what they can use, making sure that game is not wasted as food, avoiding unnecessary public displays of dead game and treating animals with respect. Basically, clean and care for your game properly.

7) Show that you are thankful for the privilege of hunting. A hunter's responsibility dictates that they pick up spent shells and other litter every time they hunt. This includes not cleaning birds or other game in road ditches or public areas. Leaving an area better than the way one found it is just good manners and shows respect for public and private property.

8) Responsible hunters do not have to take a limit. One can have a great day simply by recognizing the challenge of the hunt, the pleasures of being out in nature, the companionship of good friends and the simple rewards of just being responsible.

9) Take "competition" out of your hunting! Trying to shoot more and bigger game is the wrong reason to hunt. Most often, such attitude leads to unethical and illegal behavior. A hunt is a lot more self-satisfying when someone takes a youngster or friend along and teaches them the proper hunting methods and skills than it is to compete among each other. If you want to "compete," do it on the sporting clays or trap range, not on wildlife.

McCrea noted that if all hunters would adopt these ideals, the department wouldn't hear as many complaints, and hunting wouldn't instigate a negative response among so many people. "Please think about it and remind fellow sports-persons to do the same," he said.