Hey guys, relatively new member on BH.com. One thing I was wondering about: Would it be possible to start an Ethics forum? There is all kinds of categories here from Shed Hunting to Water Cooler, which is awesome, but i think ethics may be one of the most important points in our sport. I'm thinking about a place where people can discuss questions or scenarios that they have witnessed or been a part of in their hunting career, or just to ponder questions regarding to ethics of hunting? What do you guys think about this? I would hope it wouldn't turn into a place to bash each other but to give ethical input on different topics.
While its probably not a bad idea, a lot of times when those types of threads get brought up there's a lot of bickering back and fourth. There are a lot of decent input from guys but most of it is but it mostly would be bickering I would think
the thing is "ethics" is something that applies to ALL forums, and if you start an ethics board, noone will come.....
Both good and bad. I agree of the importance, and think could be real good, unfortunately is a superb spot for trolls to come out too. It would be great to see friendly talk on it, but seeing fellow hunters shredding each other for differences in thoughts has probably been one of the most sickening parts of getting into the sport. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Plus there is rarely anything to discuss. One man's ethics are another man’s tactics. If it is legal, we should not care what our fellow hunter does.
We have quite a few ethics conversations throughout the year. And a lot of times is does turn into disagreements. Ethics are in my opinion are a personal set of rules you set for yourself outside of what the written law states. Everyone has different standards and often times get frustrated when they can't press those standards on others. I think a whole section set up for this would lead to problems or no traffic at all.
I take 100 yard running shots, feed coyotes with the meat I get, hunt with a crossbow, usually behind a fence with bait, push deer from the public ground on to my private ground when I am free ranging it and do most of my scouting while I am hunting raccoons on my neighbors property because my dog went over there.
Ethic threads only get locked down when immaturity occurs. Discussion of what is "right" and "wrong" relatively speaking is something this sport needs more of...after all I stand by my the first line in my signature 100%.
Its a shame I guess... Things happen all the time. Just to ask what you guys would do in this situation or that or this is what i did, was it the right choice? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nothing wrong with asking those questions. But it doesn't have to have the label as ethical or not ethical. Just ask what would you do. Putting the “Ethics” label is like saying one way is wrong and one way is right. Nobody likes to be told that they are unethical.
Because there isn't always a right / wrong choice. Opinions are like ......Welll, you know.... That and I don't think a lot of people truly know what they would or wouldn't do unless they have already been in that situation. And there is so many potential variables in every situation even then the outcome may be different. Most likely if you are asking then you already know the answer.
No one likes it...but some need to hear it with respect and honesty. (similar to how I hate to hear I screwed up at work...but need to know) *Disclaimer* Before stating one is wrong though full understanding of the situation should have taken place...it's the casting judgement before discernment that usually is the issue.
Can you provide several examples? If someone is truly doing something unethical, they get blasted right away on here and rightly so. Otherwise, it is simply differences of opinions that people label as unethical because they don't agree with it which is why "ethics" is such wrongly used term.
I have a thread titled "Lame Deer" in whitetail hunting, thats an example of what i was thinking I dont know how to link other threads on my iPhone Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Examples from here? No, I am not a fan of hanging dirty laundry on people and besides I'd have to think hard to come up with several here. I for one don't try to "blast" others, because honestly when attacking someone for doing something wrong (9/10 wrong equates to unethical) but I also won't withhold honesty either. A generic example would be someone baiting despite knowing the law states otherwise...unethical, illegal, wrong all rolled into one. I will inform them either via a PM or asking if they're aware of their state's laws or play the "it isn't worth risking the ability to hunt card". You are correct though, in that the word ethics gets mixed up with right and wrong far to often or what one person feels is right or wrong, opinion as you stated. Ethics do have opinions woven into them naturally...however what is right is almost always ethical and also legal (not always but usually). Perhaps the greatest example of clash of what is ethical or not from my experience here on the board was what happened to me last year when I shared an experience I had, which then triggered a poll... Experience thread shared here: HERE Poll thread then started here: HERE Then follow up write up here: HERE Throughout that whole process (one I never saw coming) it became very apparent just how fuzzy ethical actions can get when presented with certain situations which can mess with our ethical thinking.
