I normally attempt to pass on my knowledge of how to harvest game in my columns. I have found, more importantly than the how to, is the how not to in some cases. What is legal and what is ethical can be night and day for outdoorsmen.
For nearly all outdoor sports, there is an unwritten code of conduct sportsmen are expected to follow. While a few sportsmen out there repeatedly break these codes purposely, most haven't been taught or just don’t understand why an outdoors code of ethics exists. I now realize that when I was learning how to hunt and fish, I fell into the latter category. For the new outdoorsmen out there, don't worry, there are a few ways to prevent stepping on others toes afield.
The fact that there is no book or handout on ethics for outdoorsmen leaves it up to the angler or hunter to draw the line as to what is proper or improper conduct. For self-taught outdoorsmen as myself, sometimes lessons in ethics were learned at someone else’s expense. Because the trial-and-error sportsman has no idea these rules exist, the only way they can learn them is by being yelled at or explained to by the more patient outdoorsmen that a line has actually been crossed. It then becomes the offending party's job to remember and refrain from that particular action in the future.
Most likely, if you have hunted or been fishing for several years, the wrath of the yahoo or bumble jerk outdoorsmen has been had. I tend to run into these types most often while on state land. One example with ice fishing: If you have had a good day on a spot, when you return to set up for the next day, someone who saw you have luck there will have shown up early and is sitting where you were.
A common technique of these punks during spring turkey season is to hunt state forest where they use the excuse that everyone has the right to be there. They like to pull up next to or just yards away from where you have parked. Then, they then listen for the hunter calling. If a gobble is heard, they attempt to position themselves to intercept and shoot the bird out from under the real hunter. I have had this happen several times, and personally think it should be illegal! Unfortunately, this is not a legal, but an ethical issue. No law has been broken, but it's definitely wrong.
One of my favorite tricks for these guys is to get to my truck as fast as possible, and play the waiting game. After this happened the first time, I went to my truck only to find one parked right in front of mine. I waited for nearly an hour to congratulate the guy before I realized what he had done, and that he was waiting for me to leave. I sat there and waited for another hour or so until I got too hungry, and eventually had to go. He never showed up nor have any of the others. I now take along food and drinks to allow as long a lesson possible in negative reinforcement.
The fact that they wait to hear you leave to exit the woods tells you they know what they have done was wrong. They don’t know why you are waiting, and since you haven't yelled or been confrontational ,they don’t want to force the issue. So they just lay low as long as you choose to stay. I do this because, like what they did, it's legal and I hope they get the point and refrain from such despicable practices in the future.
In my mind, the act of parking within 500 feet of another vehicle on state forest during any open season should be illegal. For safety purposes, this isn't something that should be left up to ones views on ethics. The obviousness of such actions being dangerous or wrong should cause the beginner to avoid them, but how do you avoid the less obvious mistakes? Start by asking yourself how you would feel if someone were doing to you what you are to them.
Give plenty of room between yourself and other anglers and hunters. Understand that even if a bird is on your property, it's wrong to interfere with a neighbor’s attempt to call it across the line, first come, first serve. And last, but definitely not least, is never use loop holes in laws to justify unethical actions, it's straight wrong and is sure to upset others.
Good wishes and remember to respect others afield.