Responsible hunting provides unique challenges and rewards. However, the future of the sport depends on each hunter's behavior and ethics. Therefore, as a hunter, I pledge to . . .

• Respect the environment and wildlife.
• Respect property and landowners.
• Show consideration for nonhunters.
• Hunt safely.
• Know and obey the law.
• Support wildlife and habitat conservation.
• Pass on an ethical hunting tradition.
• Strive to improve my outdoor skills and understanding of wildlife.
• Hunt only with ethical hunters.

By following these principles of conduct each time I go afield, I will give my best to the sport, the public, the environment and myself. The responsibility to hunt ethically is mine; the future of hunting depends on me.

Respect for the Sport of Hunting . . .
By thorough preparation and by familiarizing yourself with your gun, its characteristics and capabilities and by practicing for proficiency and identification of one's own abilities.

Respect for the Resource . . .

• By supporting and understanding the work of wildlife biologists and resource managers and by participating in voluntary hunter surveys.
• By matching your gun and ammunition to the game.
• By properly identifying all game, and what's behind it.
• By supporting the use of non-toxic shot.
• By using a bird dog to assist in the retrieval of downed game.

Respect for the Firearm . . .

• By ensuring the safe storage of all firearms and ammunition in the home, unloaded, with the gun and shells stored separately, and locked up out of the reach of children and careless adults.
• By unloading your firearm when not in use, climbing a fence, jumping a ditch, handling or passing to another, and transporting.
• By controlling the muzzle at all times, never pointing a loaded or unloaded gun at anything you don't want to shoot, never playing with a gun, and always treating it as though it is loaded.

Respect for the Law . . .

• By abiding by bag and possession limits, hunting laws and regulations.
• By understanding and supporting the purpose of laws and regulations, protecting and conserving our resources, and promoting safety for yourself and others.

Respect for Game . . .

• By harvesting only what you can use, immediately field dressing and cooling of game.
• By defining real success by the pleasure of the experience, watching a dog work, companionship of fellow hunters, watching wildlife, not by the quantity of game bagged.

Respect for the Landowner . . .

• By acting as a guest, leaving the area as you found it, open gates open and closed gates closed and picking up all litter including spent shells.
• Every square inch of non-public land belongs to someone, and you must have permission to hunt it. Obtain permission in advance of your trip. Hunt only those areas where you have permission to hunt. Offer your time and labor in return for access.

Respect for Yourself . . .

• By conducting oneself in a manner to ensure the future of the sport, using good manners in the out-of-doors and setting a good example for others.
• By knowing where your hunting partners are at all times.
• By using ear and eye protection.
• By avoiding alcohol and mind-altering drugs (including many cold medications) when handling firearms.
• By never shooting at a flat, hard surface or water.

Respect for the Future of Hunting . . .

• By acknowledging that hunting is a privilege, not a right.
• By understanding that the non-hunting publics attitude toward hunting is influenced by how they view your personal conduct. Never transport game on top of a vehicle or hang it in public view.

By obeying the Ten Commandments of Firearm Safety

1. Treat every gun as if it is loaded.
2. Control the gun muzzle at all times.
3. Guns not in use are to be unloaded and stored with actions open.
4. Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions and that only the proper ammunition is carried with every gun in use.
5. Be sure of your target identification before you pull the trigger, and always know what lies beyond the target.
6. Never point a gun at anything you don't want to shoot.
7. Never climb a fence or tree or cross a ditch or other obstacle with a loaded gun; and never pull a gun toward you by the muzzle.
8. Never shoot at water or a flat, hard surface; and always be sure your backstop is adequate.
9. Store guns and ammunition separately, out of reach of people who are unfamiliar with safe gun handling.
10. Never handle a firearm or operate a vehicle while you are affected by alcohol or drugs.