Sponsored by: Dead Down Wind & The Archery Hall of Fame
Bowhunting’s Ten Commandments
I AM A RESPONSIBLE BOWHUNTER who understands and accepts the limitations of hunting with archery tackle. I embrace all challenges and rewards of that pursuit.
1. I SHALT NOT FAIL BECOMING PROFICIENT WITH MY PERSONAL CHOICE OF EQUIPMENT. I realize that bows and arrows are relatively short-range weapons, and I will not take any shots beyond my effective shooting range. I will practice diligently to hone personal shooting skills that enable me to consistently place my arrows within the kill area of game birds and animals.
2. I SHALT RESPECT ALL WILDLIFE I HUNT. I pledge to do everything humanly possible to recover all arrow-hit animals. Knowing that the taking of any life is always serious, I will strive to make only quick, clean kills and avoid all risky shots that could result in a wounded, unrecovered animal. If asked, I will assist others in tracking and retrieving their animals.
3. I SHALT OBEY ALL GAME LAWS AND THE RULES OF FAIR CHASE. I understand that it is my responsibility to know and adhere to all hunting rules and regulations in each area I bowhunt. Additionally, I will faithfully practice good sportsmanship and honor the unwritten laws and codes of conduct that ethical bowhunting demands.
4. I SHALT NOT TRESPASS OR INFRINGE ON THE RIGHTS OF MY FELLOW HUNTERS. I will always respect private property and hunt only the public lands or properties where I have permission to be. I will never use unoccupied treestands or blinds belonging to other hunters. Neither will I knowingly place my own stands or blinds within proximity of others. I recognize that the Golden Rule applies to landowners and my fellow bowhunters.
5. I SHALT PRACTICE SAFE HUNTING AT ALL TIMES. I will never climb into or out of elevated stands while carrying my archery tackle. I will always wear fall-restraint vests or harnesses when hunting from trees. I will immediately replace worn bowstrings and cables. I will will routinely check arrows for cracked shafts or nocks. I will be especially careful when handling broadheads. I will avoid carrying a nocked arrow across rough, uneven, icy, or wet terrain. I will avoid any shot where a miss could strike another hunter or animal
6. I SHALT NOT VERBALLY ATTACK MY FELLOW HUNTERS. I will not engage in public attacks on gun hunters or fellow bowhunters by disparaging the legal hunting equipment they choose to use. I understand that equipment choice is a personal matter and divisive infighting delights antihunting organizations seeking an end to all hunting.
7. I SHALT CONDEMN ALL POACHERS AND SCOFFLAW HUNTERS. I will publicly speak out against outlaw poachers, game hogs, criminal trespassers, vandals, litterers, and other individuals whose mindless acts cast all law-abiding hunters and legal hunting practices in a bad light. I will make certain the non-hunting public realizes hunters do not condone illegal and unethical actions.
8. I SHALT NOT COVET THE SUCCESS OF FELLOW BOWHUNTERS. I will fully enjoy my own bowhunting experiences and successes without envy or jealousy. I will offer a handshake or tip of my camo cap to others who share my passion for the sport and succeed in their own hunting endeavors.
9. I SHALT ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST ANY BEGINNING HUNTER I MEET. Understanding that not everyone is destined to become a bowhunter, I will resist the temptation to force my favorite outdoor pastime on anyone. However, when asked to assist a friend or relative get started in bowhunting, I will do all I can to help that individual.
10. I SHALT HONOR THE SPORT OF BOWHUNTING AT ALL TIMES. Although I am only one person, I am sufficiently committed to lead by example. I will serve as a source of information, inspiration, and encouragement that our sport’s days will be long in the lands our good Lord gave us so our kind will flourish and prosper.
Nicely spoken. And may our kind flourish and prosper.
I second that Robert. Thanks for publishing this, well worth doing every year!