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Last hunting season, 36 moose were illegally taken by big game hunters.While many of those were poached, the majority were the result of hunters mistaking the identify of a moose for an elk.
"Hunters are required to make some tough decisions and in a hurry," said Mike Stone, the Division^s hunter education coordinator. "Once you pull the trigger though, you can^t take that shot back."
Hunters go out into the outdoors to hunt for a variety of reasons, Stone said, "and some think they have to shoot at something every trip."
The large majority of elk and deer hunters don^t go home with a deer or elk every time. "And those hunters who do know about the many other values associated with hunting."
Many hunters value their sport for the outdoor experience and to secure their place in the ecosystem.
"Hunters enjoy spending time with friends and family when they hunt because their family has been doing it for years," Stone said. Hunters also hunt to get in touch with their primitive-self, to directly participate in nature and for the spiritual values of hunting -- time spent alone in the wilderness, Stone added.
According to a recent study by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the main reasons for hunting are they love the outdoors, companionship, the challenge and the ability to use their skills, escapism, bagging a trophy animal, and to use their special equipment.
A study by Colorado State University revealed that hunters place a high value on the opportunity to just go hunting, much more so than getting an animal every time.
The following are Mike Stone^s hunting suggestions, not laws, just hunting tips better known as the ‘Code of the West^:
It^s never, ever bad to pass up a shot. If in doubt about anything, don^t shoot. Hunters should use their instincts. If you^re not certain about the animal you^re shooting at, don^t shoot.
Be sure of your target and beyond. Hunters need to be absolutely sure of what they^re shooting. If you^re firing at an animal on a ridge-top and the bullet misses (bullets can travel well over a mile), your stray shot could cause harm to someone or something.
Always remember to be safe and try hunting big game with a full magazine but an empty chamber. Hunting big game is deliberate and hunters really don^t need to walk around with the chamber loaded. Most of the time they are hiking and searching for
animals and when they find them, they systematically go through several steps (positively identify
the animal, check the surroundings for safe conditions, locate a solid rifle rest, work the action to chamber alive cartridge, etc.) before pulling the trigger.
Keep guns unloaded with the actions open when not in the act of hunting. The majority of hunting accidents occur in and around vehicles. It^s a courtesy to others to show them that indeed your gun is unloaded and safe.
Don^t "fill the air" with lead. Every sportsman and woman should strive for a clean, one shot kill. Wounding or accidentally hitting the wrong animal are traits of "slob hunters."
You can have a successful hunt without even firing a shot. Remember it^s okay to go home empty-handed. Most hunters do.
Don^t drink alcohol when hunting. Once you^ve had a drink of alcohol, don^t handle firearms the rest of that day. A hunter^s judgement may be impaired and may lead to an accident or illegal shooting of another species other than an elk or deer.
Leave it like you found it. If a gate is open, leave it open. Clean up after yourself.
Think about your behavior and the image of hunters. Don^t do things such as draping an animal over a vehicle for others to see, or ride an ATV off-trail to hunt big game.
You^re probably a better marksman than you think. Some hunters don^t realize when they^ve hit an animal. Big game animals won^t fall over when they^re hit, so hunters should not assume they missed the animal if it runs away or is still standing.
Watch where you point your gun. Always point your gun in a safe direction, then if it accidentally discharges -- there^s no harm done.
Uploaded: 9/4/1999
Uploaded: 9/4/1999