The hunting laws in your area are necessary reading before you go on a hunt. While some people think it’s fun or a bit of a joke to hunt and fish without licenses or permits and basically do what they want, hunting laws should be taken seriously. They’re very often put in place for the safety and protection of hunters as well as other people. That shouldn’t be taken lightly. They should be respected to make sure that you stay as safe as possible and pedestrians stay safe, and to make hunting season enjoyable and worry free for everyone.
There also may be hunting laws put in place to protect the animals from being over-hunted or abused. By and large, hunters respect the animals that they’re hunting. They’re an important food source for many families and they provide a lot of enjoyment for the hunter who enjoys the chase. Respecting the animals as well as people means following hunting laws.
One of the most important hunting laws to follow is not hunting out of season. If you hunt deer when deer season is already gone, you’re considered a poacher. Poachers aren’t very well-respected in the hunting community because they’re refusing to follow the same rules that govern everyone else. It can prove dangerous because people aren’t expecting to find anyone shooting at animals and may not be prepared. Many people who are going to be out during various hunting seasons will dress in reflective bright colors to avoid being mistaken for an animal. Poachers are putting them at risk by being out and shooting during the off-season. A poacher can also be fined and imprisoned for hunting off-season. Always be aware of the hunting laws and the dates in your area.
Also, be aware that each area can make its own laws and while some may not make sense to you, they still have to be followed. There are various laws that affect shotgun and rifle hunting and separate laws often that affect bow hunting. As an example of laws that are put in place to protect both people and animals, there’s a law in many areas about the smallest amount of draw a bow can have when used for hunting. In Texas for example, a compound bow used for hunting must have at least a 40 pound draw unless the hunter is using it to hunt squirrel.
Why does it matter if the bow has that minimum draw? Because the bow with less draw weight behind it is less likely to be able to kill an animal. It’s more likely to simply wound and animal and then animal may die of those wounds later after its bolted to where the hunter can’t find it. It can cause unnecessary suffering. And in some cases, a wounded animal that’s in pain may actually turn on the hunter. Animals are wild and unpredictable so using a compound bow that’s probably not going to be able to deliver a killing shot is simply irresponsible.
Photo Credits: ATKR
Originally posted 2010-03-30 09:37:17. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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