Ethics in the field are ultimately a personal matter. I teach “good ethical behavior” to my students (NBEF, coaching, etc.) but individuals will ultimately need to decide for themselves, in the field, how they will conduct themselves. I don’t promote shooting at big game on the move, even walking, but have taken animals at close range at a slow walk. We all choose our shots based on our own experience and confidence level. However, it is much better to stop game with a soft cow call, deer grunt, or even a quick “hey” when you’re literally ready to release an arrow. Most animals will stop and look, providing a stationary target, which increases the odds of an arrow finding vitals.
Pushing the limits and taking shots at alert animals that have you pegged or that begin to run off is always risky. Ethical? One can argue either side of that coin. In the field, there a many variables that can affect your shot. You can only control yourself, your bow, and when you release an arrow. Reading the situation – wind, weather, distance, etc. – and determining whether or not you have a viable shot opportunity with high odds of a quick humane kill takes experience. A rookie bowhunter may take a “risky” shot opportunity out of innocent ignorance. Is he/she a bad person? In my opinion, no. But an experienced mentor could eliminate these situations. Now, an experienced bowhunter taking a 80 yard shot at a walking deer hoping for the best, well I would deem this act unethical in any instance. Get a gun if these shots are the best you can achieve with archery tackle.
Aldo Leopold wrote in A Sand County Almanac, “A peculiar virtue in wildlife ethics is that the hunter ordinarily has no gallery to applaud or disapprove of his conduct. Whatever his acts, they are dictated by his own conscience, rather than by a mob of onlookers. It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of this fact.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Great topic. I wish there was a way to get this point across to ALL archer’s. Thanks Tom. Always very insightful.
Aldo Leopold should be a must read for anyone who hunts. Actually, a must read for everyone. 😀 Nice blog post and so true.
Corey and Diane, thank you both for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it.
-Tom
Tom, You are right on with your post. Clean kill with any tackle is critical for ethical hunting. Finding the balance between clean kill and fair chase hunting is very much a personal thing. Knowing your capabilities and limitations, improving your marksmanship and hunting skills all play in to the decision to release or not. Also being clear on why you hunt, what is a successful hunt to you? and then staying true to those believes is critical. My organization Orion-the hunters’ institute applauds the efforts of all the folks like you that take the time to teach and mentor new hunters by setting a great example on how to hunt the right way. Unfortunately there are forces out there doing just the opposite, led by way to many TV hunting shows with an unhealthy focus on the kill and trophy.
Hi Eric – I don’t know how I missed your comment, but I did. So, it’s a few years late but Thank You! And I applaud you and Orion – The Hunter’s Institute for all your efforts toward ethical, fair chase hunting.