Huck, For someone who loves to hunt as much as I do, it was hard to find fault with your answers. I'll ask this, if you and I were hunting rabbits and I saw one, who would decide how close I'd have to get to make an ethical shot? You? We? The non-hunting public? No one has more respect for the animals they hunt than I do. I know I'd take the same shot no matter if I was alone or if someone was watching and that has nothing to do with the non-hunting public. It's about doing the right thing. It's the way I was taught and the way I taught my kids when they started hunting. Of course the 80% have a horse in this race and public perception is very important, but if we allow them to dictate how we do what we do, then IMO we've already lost. I have a ton of respect for the Wensel brothers. I'd like to hear Gene's opinion on any of the ethical aspects of hunting.
Oh yea, and as far as being presumptuous (I had to google the proper definition) I can say that I'm not normally, but when my way of life is threatened, I too take it very seriously.
Keith, the obvious answer is you. You're the person behind the string. Once the arrow leaves your bow there's no stopping or pulling it back. If you're ethical, your arrow will do the job it was intended to do- cleaningly and quickly. The rabbit is then rendered part of your daily take. Your family gets to enjoy it one night for supper. You can smile and high step because you know you did it right. If you are unethical, your rabbit might be found (perhaps because of a forced low probability shot) by some little old granny while she's tending her carrot garden-half dead and suffering. Her compassion and anger are both amplified. She votes against you on the next election. Let's analyze the shot by go through the whens, the wheres, the whys, and the hows. When: 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset (depending on the species) and within a legally defined time of year. Where: 50 feet from the center line of a road; outside one hundred and fifty yards from a residential structure;outside city limits; within this or that bow zone; with permission from the land owner. Why: to wisely use a valued natural resource for consumption, to restore balance, or protect livestock. How: in a non-reckless manner with a hand held bow, of a particular draw weight, shooting arrows equipped with steel broadheads having at least two razor sharp blades and a cutting diameter no less than 7/8 of an inch. Yep, I can see how you think your shot has nothing to do with the general non-hunting public. IMO, if we educate ourselves, restrain ourselves, and hunt with respect for wildlife and all those involved (heeding their opinions and operating to the best of our abilties) then we continue to win. To my knowledge, the only lads who have "lost" their privilege to hunt did it wrong. It wasn't me that took it from them-just saying.
