Proper hunting ethics help us gain respect
- Bob Hanna: Someday
- December 30, 2020
- 803
Happy New Year, everyone. Here’s to 2021 being a year we rid this world of the curse of COVID-19, bringing prosperity back to our country and peace to its people (virtual toast).
A very disturbing news flash came to our attention last week as a wildlife officer in Clinton County (Ohio) was shot during an investigation of three poaching suspects. Currently, the officer is expected to recover, but — and this is what burns me — the suspects, who are currently facing multiple charges, were suspected of hunting without permission and hunting without a proper license.
Our wildlife officers are sworn to protect our natural resources, as well as uphold our laws, both conservation and domestic. Our prayers go out to the officer and his family, as well as all of those who wear the badge.
When an incident like this happens, it is the whole hunting community that suffers. The nonhunting public, in a lot of cases, are blinded to our conservation efforts when all they see is the small percentage of those (not even going to call them hunters) who choose to break or ignore the law. Poaching is not to be tolerated. Should you see illegal hunting activity, just call the “turn in a poacher hotline” at 1-800-POACHER (762-2437).
We, the hunting community, are guilty as well if we fail, No. 1, to call attention to the law breakers. With the creation of online license purchases and even online check-in upon harvest, yes, it is fairly easy to falsify information to make it “legal.” No one will know or find out — until you get caught. Whether we disagree with a law or not does not make it ethical to break it or ignore it. That’s why we have state representatives to represent us to change or create new laws.
Also, the creation of “online hunting” helps eliminate the excuse of being misinformed. I tell all who I mentor to read for themselves the rules and regulations of a state or even region where they plan to hunt, as they vary sometimes significantly.
No. 2 would be just the fact that those laws are there not only to protect our wildlife, but also protect us from carelessness. Laws requiring hunter orange and unloaded weapons in transport, among others, are put in place to keep us safe. Accidents certainly happen, but when ignorance or apathy are involved, it makes our hunting a lot more dangerous than it needs to be and people are injured or killed.
As I write, ’tis the day before Christmas, and all through our house, we both are so busy, yes even my spouse. Even though not with family, we got such a thrill to celebrate our first Christmas on Sanctuary Hill.
God has been so good to us. For Christmas, Taryn and I bought ourselves a new microwave and gas range for the cabin. We installed the above-range microwave but had the gas company come to install the range, as we have propane gas. Then, a day later, our hot-water heater started leaking, and we found out it was 22 years old. Luckily, our new house warranty covered most of that.
And finally, our prayers were answered when trying to find an electrician to wire our back porch to make it into Taryn’s pantry. (That was one of her primary conditions in buying our cabin.)
I called a local contracting company, and the owner said, “How did you find us?” To which I told him, “I Googled it.” He said he didn’t even know how they got on there but were eawger to help.
Turns out his place is only about 10 miles from ours, and after seeing our animals and sharing stories, we not only got our wiring done, but also gained new friends. So in answer to his question, God put his company online for us to find new and exciting opportunities here.
What is it you’re looking for? How long will you go before you give it to the one with all the answers? As we celebrate the New Year, give God the wheel of your life. He’ll never steer you the wrong way.
God bless y’all!