It is the established position of the Utah Shooting Sports Council that the harvest of wildlife by man is an acceptable, historically recognized and biologically sound human activity. The purposes for this activity may include but are not limited to securing food, clothing, protection of self or others, protection of domesticated animals, livestock or agricultural resources, outdoor recreation and any other traditionally-accepted human needs and desires. We support the traditions and practices of accessible, affordable, family-oriented hunting in Utah, today and for all future generations.

    We view wildlife as an important, renewable natural resource. Like all such resources, wildlife should be managed wisely to insure a maximum sustainable population yield, consistent with sound biological data and recognized game management principles and practices, including but not limited to available food, water, weather and climate, cover and habitat, genetic diversity, predator and hunting pressure, and other related factors.

    We support to harvest of the surplus population of game species by responsible sportsmen, using traditionally accepted methods, practices and ethics. We support the wise use of public and private resources to provide for and sustain healthy wildlife populations and their habitat, and pledge our support to that purpose.

    We support the appropriate protection of specific species, by the limitation of hunting methods, seasons or harvest numbers, when such protection is clearly indicated by impartial, factual, proven, and biologically-sound data directly related to that species.

    We encourage hunters to make maximum use of harvested wildlife, and to share with others, as allowed by law, that portion of harvested wildlife which they themselves may not be able to utilize. We encourage all hunters to lead by example in demonstrating a strong sense of lawful and ethical behavior in all hunting and outdoor activities. We encourage hunters to work together with other organizations and government agencies to prevent the unlawful poaching of wildlife.

    We are aware of the desires of non-consumptive wildlife users, and their desire to engage in lawful and responsible non-consumptive wildlife activities. We also demand that non-consumptive wildlife users recognize the rights, needs, interests and investment of consumptive wildlife users, including our near-total economic support of wildlife through taxes, licenses and other user fees. We insist that non-consumptive users refrain from all activities which are intended or may result in harassment of or injury to any person, domestic animal or wildlife, or the damage to or loss of any real or personal property of any individual involved in any lawful hunting activity, and that such harassment activities be by severely punishable by law.

    We will work to insure that the hunting traditions and opportunities of today are passed on to future generations.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Utah Shooting Sports Council January 8, 1996