NMU Students Raise Awareness About Ethical Hunting

LOCAL HUNTERS PLEDGE TO ETHICAL PRACTICES THIS SEASON

written by Trisha Larkin, Molly Rinckey, & Reggie Bowden of the NMU Environmental Campaigns Class PR432

Marquette, MI – Northern Michigan University Student sportsman and women are pledging to act ethically in the outdoors. They are pledging to protect and preserve the streams, lakes woods and fields they spend so much of their time.

Local hunters sign pledges to practice safe and ethical hunting this year. (photo by Cody Huebner)

The Pledge for Ethical Hunting Practices campaign developed in our Environmental Campaigns class with Jessica Thompson of the Communication department. Our group of three was assigned to implement a proactive campaign that will actively benefit the environment. The three of us grew up hunting, fishing, and respecting the environment.
Hunting immediately came to mind when discussing ideas. There is a large population of student sportsman and women at Northern Michigan University. Hunters and fishers interact directly with wildlife in their natural habitats. We believe that by acting ethically in the outdoors hunters and fishers will make a positive impact on every living organism in their habitat, improving the overall environment.
We spoke with Dough Doherty the Regional Director for the state of Michigan for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He encouraged us to do more research amongst our student body, and activate social media in order to create attention to our cause. He also expressed interest in future engagement with university students to become active preservers of wildlife. One of the future goals is to not only hold this campaign on campus, but to continue environmental conservation in the hunting community as a whole.

Molly Rinckey of the Environmental Campaigns class urges student hunters to commit to safe and ethical hunting practices by signing personal pledges on campus at NMU. (photo by Cody Huebner)

A survey was administered through social media, 112 Northern Michigan University students answered.
From this information, and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, a pledge was developed with nine basic principles, we believe every hunter or fisherman should follow. At the Pledge table, students were asked to write down their own pledge statement.
With the help of technology, we gained momentum through likes and shares about the pledge. We received 191 likes and hundreds of likes on our posters. Our group tracked down some of Northern’s best representatives to be the face of our campaign and created promotional posters with their help. Through their participation, Jack Gosselin, Rose Richmann, and Joey Krupp have launched significant support for us. Richmann, an avid bow hunter explained why she supports our campaign, “I live for understanding the animals that I hunt. The rush of the hunt is from the respect you’ve gained for that animal”

Some personal pledges made by student hunters on the NMU campus. (photo by Cody Huebner)

Pledge signing took place in the environmentally conscious Jamrich building on campus. Engaging in conversations with students of all beliefs has been gratifying, thus far. Hunters, non-hunters, and anti-hunters have openly asked questions, challenged beliefs, and signed our pledge in an effort to become not only better hunters, but better people. Signing took place over a four day period, with 143 signatures, surpassing an original goal of 100 signatures.

As students, we are responsible for the conservation and protection of the environment around us. We are the representatives, and the faces of conservation for the future. We have taken a small step by creating the Pledge for Ethical Hunting Practices. Through our effort we hope that respect for our environment will continue on campus, and in the hunting community.

by marquette_magazine