A full bellied society can pick and choose their set of hunting ethics whereas a hungry society says ethics be damned.
In our society how many people truly have the need of hunting to provide for the family? It’s nice to be able to supplement the menu with wild game but necessary?
Many times the hunt, the supplementation of different meat in the diet, is way more expensive than going and buying a half of beef for the freezer.
Why hunting?
So, when it comes to the “hunt” in hunting, what is the why?
Some hunt for the “sport” I guess which to me translate to hunting for the thrill of the kill. When the kill lust is upon an individual what ethics? Maybe preferences or rules (laws) of a sector of society dictate methods and means and that group may interpret those rules as their “ethic”.
My ethics, which I think are good, sound and honest, may differ from yours which you think are good, sound and honest but we may live in two entirely different societies, environment and geographical locations.
My daddy always said you should only shoot a running rabbit so it had a fair chance of getting. Me, if I find or stalk a sitting rabbit, it should’ve ran. Tastes good in the skillet either way.
But is that a difference in ethics or preferences? Is it a different set of ethics for hunting rabbits with a shotgun or a bow.
There are laws, which some think are attempts at enforcing their ethics, and they are “ethical” rules that apply only if caught, and there are those who believe in fair chase and there are those that the hunt is necessary for survival.
“Ethics has to do with what my feelings tell me is right or wrong.”
“Ethics has to do with my religious beliefs.”
“Being ethical is doing what the law requires.”
“Ethics consists of the standards of behavior our society accepts.”
“I don’t know what the word means.”
Raymond Baumhart
