Please hunt responsibly

With hunting seasons now open or soon to be, hunters are reminded to be safe, courteous and ethical and also ask permission before going onto private land as well reviewing the state's hunting regulations prior to taking to the fields, and to introduce a youngster to the excitement of hunting.

The 2006 hunting season should be one to remember. However, in that excitement, all of our fellow hunters are reminded that hunters lead by example. Be a hunter that's knowledgeable in the laws, ethics and conservation values of our sport.

A safe hunt is always a successful hunt, no matter how much game is bagged. Treat every gun as if it were loaded, always keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and know your target and what is beyond.

Hunters are also encouraged to introduce a youngster to the passion of hunting this fall. In this age of video games, computers and cell phones, kids are losing their connection to the outdoors. A day afield with a mentor can spark an interest in conservation and our hunting heritage. That spark will ensure that the next generation of land stewards hold the same values for our land, natural resources, wildlife and hunting tradition.

With the start of new hunting seasons, there are many hunters that will be taking to the fields, but finding a lot of the land they used to hunt on now posted. The behavior of some hunters has caused some landowners to post their land to all hunters.

It's easy to see why this is happening. Case in point: Two years ago some hunters left the woods early after seeing more blaze orange on property they were hunting deer. One hunter told me he thought he was the only one with permission to hunt on the land where he had hunted for several years, but he counted seven other hunters in the woods with him and that's when he decided to give it up. Later he checked with the owner who told him he had no idea that other hunters were in the woods and that he was the only one that had permission.

Things like this have caused hunters to see so many "No Trespassing" signs around the countryside today.

Jack Williams, Sedalia, was right on when he said, "The trespassers and law breakers are hurting the whole hunting fraternity, even rabbit hunters have a hard time getting permission to hunt after other hunters have invaded the landowners' posted land. It's a problem that needs addressing and the hunters should police their ranks and let the offenders know it can't and won't be tolerated."