Is there a difference to you?

[MrWiggely]

Well my answer to your first question is still no. If I had no license I wouldn't shoot the deer. The only time I knowingly break the law is when I am on my way to an emergency ambulance call in my own vehicle. Then I do go 5-10 mph over the speed limit. I still obey all trafic signals and stop signs. If trying to help save a life isn't worth a few mph oh well. I will take the speeding ticket then.

Wigs

[snapper]

First of all...I still need to have a lic. in PA to hunt my land...so it is illegal. I would not even be out in the woods with a bow or gun hunting with out a lic. So I guess my answer is no I wouldn't shoot. Do I break the law "knowingly"? I would have to answer yes...there are just some laws I don't agree with and I'm willing to face up to it if I get caught! No ones perfect...we need to decide for ourselves what is morally right or wrong...not what our local/state/federal gov. says! images/icons/wink.gif

[sureshot]

I do break the laws sometimes to but when it comes to hunting I am by the book! I would not shoot the deer.When I look at all my horns and my mounts it brings back the memories of the great time I had that hunting season.I do not want to be reminded f the time I "poached" a deer, becouse that is actually what it is. It seems just minor but if you were ever caught you are dead meat LOL. I had a deer just over a property line that was record book for sure I did not have permission so I left it! It still haunts me but I would not want to see the deer on my wall everyday that I did not get "properly". This is just me though and everyone has there own opinion!

[Jeramie]

No, I still wouldn't shoot the deer. A trophy is something that should be earned to me. That day that deer would have the distinct advantage of an invisible boundary. I try to obey the laws as both a ethical hunter and someone who would like to preserve hunting forever. Thats not to say I wouldn't try to get him into my area but I'm not willing to sacrifice everything that I was raised to be right or wrong for an animal.

If I were to hunt illegally than who's to say there is a large difference between poachers and unethical hunters? Have I ever killed a deer out of season, yes. With a car! Would I kill one out of season if no one found out, no. Why would I cut corners to appear as if I had earned a trophy?

As for driving to fast or other ways of breaking the law, I agree we are all guilty in some way. The fact remains, hunting is in danger but driving is not. When I hit the open road I have no intent to harm anyone. If I'm speeding and I harm someone I would feel awful about it but deep inside I would know that I wasn't trying to do any damage. If I shot at a doe under my stand and the arrow glanced off of a branch and killed the buck across the fence I wouldn't feel bad about it. The intent is almost always more important than the outcome.

Accidents happen but you have to choose to be unethical in hunting, driving, relationships, heck life! I couldn't call myself an "ethical-sportsman" if I were willing to break the law. When it comes down to the fine line and I have a buck mount on my wall I can look friends and family in the face and say that I earned that animal...

Good Hunting,
Jeramie