Chapter 2: Be a Responsible and Ethical Hunter
Hunting in the Public Eye

Responsible hunters welcome laws that enforce sportsmanlike hunting practices because the behavior of irresponsible hunters has caused some people to oppose hunting. Did you know:

• Nationally, about five percent of the population hunts, and roughly the same percentage actively opposes hunting. The rest of the population is mostly neutral. However, bad behavior by hunters could change some of the neutral crowd into the anti-hunting camp.
• There is a growing concern among hunters that the future of the sport may be in trouble because of the attitudes and conduct of irresponsible hunters. The main reason for anti-hunting beliefs is that some hunters fail to behave responsibly in the presence of those who don't hunt. The image hunters project can greatly influence public opinion.
• Pennsylvania has a population of nearly 12 million people, according to the most recent census information. The Pennsylvania Game Commission sells slightly more than one million hunting licenses annually, which is an indicator of the number of active hunters in the state. An equal number of Pennsylvanians are estimated to be anti-hunting. From this simplified data, we can make a model of the Keystone State's population that looks like this:

The seesaw represents the total population of Pennsylvania. On one side are hunters, and on the other are anti-hunters. The center or balance point is the non-hunting public. The position of the non-hunting public determines if there is balance or not.

How To Behave If Confronted by Anti-Hunter Protesters

• Remain calm and polite, and do not engage in arguments—never lose your temper.
• Never touch an anti-hunter or use any physical force, and especially never threaten an anti-hunter with your firearm.
• Report hunter harassment to law enforcement authorities. If possible, record the vehicle license number of the harassers.