U
Ungulate
Guest
This is my attempt at explaining and justifying the ethics course. Its purpose is to remind us about the basics of shed gathering. When we are conscious of them then we know how to introduce the sport to beginners. When we discuss the ethics of our sport then they are passed on and maintained.
Im sure that everyone here is aware of what is ethical and what isn't. Shed hunting can be utilized as a gateway to hunting for those who are against harvesting animals. It introduces them to the valued adrenaline that can only be felt in the pursuit of wildlife.
As I invite my friends to come along with me I require them to take the course. This ensures that in the future those who participate do so ethically. If anyone on this forum plans on intruducing someone to shed hunting be sure to demonstrate good ethics.
Basically what may seem obvious to us sometimes needs to be explained to others. While out gathering I often encounter people who don't know what I am doing. I avoid wearing camoflage because I am not in the pursuit of the animals themselves. Non hunters will be startled to see someone with a load of antlers on a pack decked out in camoflage.
I was once stopped by some enviromental conscious animal sympathizers and they were very concerned with the assumption that I had killed several deer because of the antlers on my back. After a long conversation I opened my wallet and I showed them my permit and discussed the ethical manner in which I was harvesting the antlers. I showed them the burs of the antlers so that they could identify naturally cast antlers.
They wanted to find some anlters after our conversation so I volunteered to do the "gathering". We didn't locate any but they took down the link to the course.
My point is that the physical certification changed the tone of our conversation. The couple changed from accusatory to approving and wanting to get involved because of it. If a small fee or optional donation could be present on the certificate then shed hunting might help to soothe the peta beast.
Im sure that everyone here is aware of what is ethical and what isn't. Shed hunting can be utilized as a gateway to hunting for those who are against harvesting animals. It introduces them to the valued adrenaline that can only be felt in the pursuit of wildlife.
As I invite my friends to come along with me I require them to take the course. This ensures that in the future those who participate do so ethically. If anyone on this forum plans on intruducing someone to shed hunting be sure to demonstrate good ethics.
Basically what may seem obvious to us sometimes needs to be explained to others. While out gathering I often encounter people who don't know what I am doing. I avoid wearing camoflage because I am not in the pursuit of the animals themselves. Non hunters will be startled to see someone with a load of antlers on a pack decked out in camoflage.
I was once stopped by some enviromental conscious animal sympathizers and they were very concerned with the assumption that I had killed several deer because of the antlers on my back. After a long conversation I opened my wallet and I showed them my permit and discussed the ethical manner in which I was harvesting the antlers. I showed them the burs of the antlers so that they could identify naturally cast antlers.
They wanted to find some anlters after our conversation so I volunteered to do the "gathering". We didn't locate any but they took down the link to the course.
My point is that the physical certification changed the tone of our conversation. The couple changed from accusatory to approving and wanting to get involved because of it. If a small fee or optional donation could be present on the certificate then shed hunting might help to soothe the peta beast.
