During this past hunting season, hunters have harvested many big bucks carrying large sets of antlers. Through the years, I have received many requests from hunters to score their antlers for the Boone and Crocket Club’s record book. One of the club’s requirements is that the hunter signs a sworn statement that he or she killed their trophy in fair chase.

In 1893, Theodore Roosevelt set the credo of fair chase which stated that nothing be killed by any method other than fair chase or still hunting. Civilized humans have lost the need, but not the urge, for the chase, the stalk and even the kill of wild animals. Only those of us that have hunted can really understand the fulfillment of a day in pursuit of game.

The sound of an unseen grouse flushing from heavy cover; the glimpse of a white tail deer vanishing into the woods and the gobbling of a spring turkey can cause the hunter to become excited.

Some hunters and those of us that write about hunting are often required to justify the killing of animals for sport. Many excuses are given to justify the sport. However with or without hunters, the laws of nature prevail, with survival of the fittest and the age-old law of fang and claw. Wildlife species do not die a natural death.

I remember back to the last day of one deer season when I spotted a hunter that I had previously arrested. As I got out of my vehicle I said, “I can’t believe you haven’t gotten your deer yet.”

His reply was no, not yet.

After looking at my watch, I said, “well, you only have a few hours left.”

“Don’t matter, I really don’t care if I get a deer or not. Anymore, I’m just happy to get out and take my gun for a walk,” he said.

As I returned to my vehicle, I watched my old nemesis as he turned up his collar to ward off the cold and waved a friendly goodbye as he walked toward the woods.

A hunter reaches a plateau when he respects the game he hunts and enjoys the chase more than the kill. The hunt is in pitting one’s human skills against that of an animal. The kill is the end, and unlike the fisherman, who can release his catch, the hunter cannot release his game to be hunted again. He can, however, enjoy nature.

I met many hunters that were high points of my hunting seasons; however, one very low point occurred when I arrested a group of hunters for killing over their limit of deer and putting their wives’ and youngsters’ tags on the deer that they themselves had killed.

The worst part was that they had brought young hunters to camp. This was not what young hunters should have been subjected to. Chances are that game conservation officers have met these young hunters in the years since then.

Wouldn’t it be great if all young hunters started out hunting with someone who had already reached that high plateau? They would have brought the satisfaction of a good hunt without the absolute need of game to take home.

Now, I don’t want you to think I’m down on hunters because I’m not. Hunters have footed the bill for wildlife here in Pennsylvania since 1895. Without hunters, there would not be any wildlife.

A lot of the non-hunting public believe that all hunters should be like the Native American who felt that he was a part of nature, respecting wildlife and giving thanks to the animal’s soul after killing the animal.

However, our Native Americans were conservationists not because of choice but by circumstances. His weapons gave him limited abilities. The Native American did respect the game and did use every scrap — meat, hide, sinew and bone — of each animal to the fullest extent. However, with the coming of the pilgrims and Europeans and their superior weapons, food gathering became easier for the Native Americans.

After this occurred, the Native Americans became wasteful and picked only the choice parts of wildlife to eat. Within a period of 100 years, wildlife became either scarce or non-existent.

At this time, American hunters came on the scene and began digging deep into their pockets to pay for wildlife programs across the nation.

I am sure that many people are concerned about the part the “American hunter” will have in the future. Today, our part is of no less importance than that of our grandfathers 100 years ago.

Bill Bower is a retired Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Officer. Read his blog and listen to his podcasts on the outdoors at www.onemaningreen.com.