Hunt Kind

One Montana develops creative programs that support private land stewardship, maintain agriculture and working lands, and preserve our cultural heritage. We strive to bridge the gap between urban and rural experiences by connecting people to each other, and to resources and expertise. The Master Hunter Program is a great example and illustrates how we build connections between landowners and sportsmen and women to solve wildlife management challenges, among other things.

In 2021 we began convening an alliance of nonprofits, agencies, and others in Gallatin County under the banner of “Outside Kind”. Outside Kind is designed to protect our outdoor resources and enhance enjoyment by the public. Outside Kind is an effort to educate people about ethical use issues that all recreational users need to know about. 

Hunt Kind is an important piece of the Outside Kind Campaign and helps all hunters understand how their behavior impacts others and how to be better stewards for the tradition of hunting.

Hunters hike, ride bikes, and fish, among other activities, and many of the values we share as Master Hunters are the same across these activities.

Hunt Kind: The Hunting Code of Ethics

Hunting is an important part of Montana’s culture and heritage. Hunting has traditions that stretch back generations and has developed its own culture depending on your location, quarry, and weapon choice. Hunters need represent themselves and this tradition in the best possible way.

Hunt Prepared: Know where you are headed and the rules and restrictions.

Hunt Aware: Check road and fire conditions before you go. Take fire conditions seriously.

Hunt No Trace: Pack out all trash and leave the landscape better than you find it. 

Hunt Respectfully: Communicate and develop positive relationships with those who manage the land (Thank you notes go a long way). And, leave Gates as you find them and drive designated roads.

Hunt Ethically: Use a highly ethical and fair chase approach to pursue all game.

Hunt Supportive: Don’t forget to say howdy when you run into other hunters and be prepared to take a new path and explore new ground if there is another hunter in “your spot”. 

Hunt Inclusive: Entry to hunting is often hard for people who didn’t grow up around hunting or hunting culture. Make this easier by mentoring youth and new onset hunters.  Help them understand conservation, and hunting ethics and behavior, and hone their skills.

Seeking hunting opportunities on private lands? Be aware of what questions you should ask.

*Want to be a mentor? Learn how you can have a positive impact:

We are all likely to play the role of mentor at one time or another and some of us will make it a priority. Whether you are helping your children or a friend, or helping a new person enter the sport, mentoring can be one of the most rewarding, and challenging, experiences. It may encourage you to question why you do things certain ways, and reexamine whether there are other things you want to be passing on. The following are a few ideas to help you along:

  1. Safety means success:

  2. Review Goals

  3. Prepare for Conditions

  4. Communicate

  5. Etiquette is golden

  6. Have Patience

  7. Learn from Mistakes

  8. Create Community

  9. Empower your Mentee

* ideas provide here were assisted by the Pheasants Forever Winter 2022 Magazine