4-H Shooting Sports Ethical Compass

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4-H Shooting Sports Ethical Compass

• Perry D. Brewer
• Area Extension Agent (Tech Ed/Youth)
• Golden Plains Area Cooperative Extension
• Kit Carson County

Adapted from educational material authored by
Jeff Goodwin, Director, Colorado State University
Cooperative Extension, 4-H Youth Development
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Ethical Compass

• Ethical behavior is learned at an early age and
  is one that is reinforced as we grow older
  (practice makes perfect).
• Being an ethical shooter is ultimately up to each
  one of us.
• But remember that what we do individually can
  effect how others view all of us, our sport and
  our organization!

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Ethical Compass

• RULE OF THUMB
• If you are confronted with a situation in which
  you are unsure as to whether an action is ethical
  or unethical don't do it there is usually a
  good reason why you are unsure!

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Ethical Compass

• Use the following questions as a litmus test to
  see if a situation you find yourself in is
  ethical or unethical.

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Ethical Compass

• STOP and ask yourself the following questions
  when considering whether an action you are about
  to take part in is ethical or unethical

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Ethical Compass

• 1. Is the action legal?
• If what you are considering doing is illegal
  then the action is also unethical.
• But there are times also when something may be
  strictly legal but maybe not totally ethical.
  (watch out for these situations!)

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Ethical Compass

• 2. Can you tell anyone the complete truth of your
  actions?
• Would you feel comfortable sharing your actions
  with your pastor, your grandmother, your teacher?

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Ethical Compass

• 3. Will the action benefit your sport or your
  community?
• Would you be proud that your actions we used as
  an example at a city council meeting or at a
  gathering of other shooters?

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Ethical Compass

• 4. Will the action benefit the traditions of
  shooting?
• Shooters and hunters have a strong tradition of
  improving the environment, game management, and
  providing opportunities for future generations.
• Would your actions add to that tradition?

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Ethical Compass

• 5. Would you be proud if the action was reported
  in the local newspaper?
• Could you defend your actions if a newspaper
  reporter or a TV news crew were interviewing you
  about what you did?

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Ethical Compass

• 6. Would you be proud if your parents (or those
  close to you) witnessed your actions?
• Would you go ahead and do your action if the
  person you respected the most were standing there
  beside you watching?

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Ethical Compass

• 7. Will your actions have a positive effect on
  others?
• Would you be willing to have others (say a
  younger sibling, or your best friend) do what you
  are doing?

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Ethical Compass

• If ANY of these questions are answered No, what
  you are considering is probably unethical!
• DONT DO IT!!!

Or this might be the result!