THE FAIR CHASE GUILD – CODE OF CONDUCT
Abrotherhood of hunters and conservationists with a shared passion for wildlife and the conservation of all living organisms.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To maintain, uphold and propagate, by example, a code of conduct in hunting which has been handed down over many generations. To actively encourage, guide and teach the youth interested in hunting in the knowledge that they, the hunters of the future, will carry on the tradition. To regard as a priority, the conservation and improvement of the environment by both fellow hunters and owners of land and make every effort to influence both the public and the authorities in these matters. To hunt with great care and consideration in order to preserve hunting for those that follow.
ARTICLES OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT
1. That a hunter must at all times uphold a spirit of good citizenship with flawless personal conduct in public. 2. That at all times a member will extend every courtesy, privilege and assistance to a fellow hunter. 3. That all hunting be conducted only during the hours of natural light, including moonlight, where permitted by the local conservation legislation. 4. That no creature be hunted in an enclosed area of such size that such creature is not self-sufficient. Self-sufficiency includes the ability of the animal to exercise its natural inclination to escape from the hunter as well as catering for all its basic needs such as water, food, shelter, territoriality and breeding. 5. That no animal that was artificially bred under whatever conditions be hunted even if such a creature is released into an area that may appear suitable to offer it a state of self-sufficiency. 6. That no shooting takes place from, or within a short distance of, a vehicle, nor the use of vehicles to drive game. 7. That no aircraft be used to spot or drive game nor the use of aircraft to land hunters within a short distance of game for the purpose of hunting the game so spotted. 8. That only hunting weapons of such power and size that are capable of killing game quickly and efficiently at practical ranges be employed. 9. That all forms of competition in the field between hunters while hunting be avoided. 10. That no creature be killed that is deemed to be immature, breeding or dependant and cannot, by virtue of its trophy or flesh, be fully used. 11. That every effort is made to respect and safeguard the property of landowners. 12. That a landowner remembers to extend every courtesy, comfort and assistance possible to a member who hunts on his property. 13. That a professional hunter or guide member makes sure that his clients understand and are fully aware of the Guild’s Code of Conduct and the standards that will be upheld during the
course of any hunt. 14. That a hunter respects with understanding, the attitudes, feelings and principles of those that do not hunt. 15. That a hunter should conduct his hunting activity with due regard to his own physical capabilities, recognise his limitations and responsibility to his companions or assistants. 16. The Guild recognises that culling, cropping, trapping, capture, vermin and damage animal control are a necessary part of game management as long as they are conducted with consideration and humane treatment of the wildlife so involved. However, at no time can these activities be regarded as hunting but will only be accepted as wildlife management practices. 17. The Code of Conduct is a set of living rules that may change from time to time as the members determine and, as is stated in the membership application form: a. The interpretation and implementation of a Code of Conduct and the standards a hunter sets will depend on each individual hunter’s conscientious behaviour and, while many traditions must be upheld, many current practices should be critically examined and evaluated before being adopted. b. Above all it must be accepted that it is a privilege to hunt, not a right. c. To this end, therefore, the Guild considers that certain broad rules governing the conduct of hunting should be observed and that it is irrelevant whether some of these basic rules are, or are not, legally applied by the current laws of the land.