Ethics

Poland is a nation with rich hunting traditions. In over a thousand years of history of this country, various hunting customs and ceremonies have developed, which over the centuries have shaped a great heritage among Polish hunters, which is an important element of the national heritage.

Hunting music and the hunter’s cult of customs are well established in the Polish hunting tradition. These traditions and customs are a form of intangible heritage and include the establishment of ceremonies that enrich both the games and the lives of hunters.

In many environments, new habits are formed and new friendships are made, which spread the common heritage, because the hunter’s greatest satisfaction is communing with nature, hunting experiences and the joy of working with a hunting group of hunters.

The first privilege and duty of the honorable hunter is personal participation in the protection of flora and fauna, reliable compliance with the law and the hunting ethics; as well as full compliance with the requirements of organizational discipline:

1. Hunters associated with the Polish Hunting Association (PZŁ) consciously and voluntarily carry out their statutory tasks and assume all ethical duties to which a hunter is obliged.
2. The hunter acts in accordance with the applicable hunting laws and also complies with the legal and statutory provisions.
3. The hunter is aware of the rich achievements of Polish hunting and proudly represents it in society and among hunters from other countries.
4. The hunter takes care of the positive image of the hunting and his actions contributes to build a good opinion about the Polish Hunting Association and its members; showing sensitivity to the problems of local communities and trying to solve them as much as possible.
5. The hunter takes care of the well-being of native nature and its conservation for future generations.
6. The hunter, during hunting or breeding work in the reserves, is guided by the principle of harmonious reconciliation of the agricultural, forestry and hunting economy; helping in the preservation of the environment, interacting with the owners, landowners, foresters and their representatives by showing respect for their work, avoiding damage to the surrounding fields and forests, collaborating in the prevention of possible damages that game animals can cause in fields and crops, protecting public or private property and generating with their behavior an environment of mutual good will.
7. The hunter, while practicing hunting and other related activities, shows care for the natural environment and ecological balance; in the case of noticing irregularities, he is not indifferent to them.
8. The hunter respects the right to life of the animals, acts ethically with them, protects them against threats and hunts only species allowed in the terms and numbers specified in the hunting and breeding plan. He also takes care of the continuity of animal behavior, fighting both pests and poaching.
9. The hunter observes the rules of the selection of animals while hunting and does not look for material benefits in it, since hunting cannot be a means to achieve them. The hunter’s greatest satisfaction is communion with nature, hunting experiences and the satisfaction of cooperation with the group of hunters.
10. The hunter cares about the good environment in the organizational life during the hunt and respects the principle of equality of all his fellow hunters.
11. The hunter in his activity takes into account the advice of hunters with more experience and greater knowledge of the terrain.
12. The hunter performs his tasks reliably, according to his physical potential, knowledge and skills.
13. The hunter acts in a professional and responsible manner, deepens his knowledge of hunting, particularly in areas such as ecology, economy and culture. In organizational life, he uses traditional hunting language, perfecting his skills in both speech and writing.
14. The members of the Polish Hunting Association care about the ethical education of future generations of hunters, recognizing the need to provide apprentices and young hunters with authentic hunting values. Less experienced hunters will be open to advice and help.
15. The hunters are cordial and friendly with the participants in the hunts; likewise, hunting helpers are treated with respect and will be cared for, providing them adequate food and rest.
16. The use of weapons imposes a sense of special responsibility on the hunter, making him directly responsible for their proper use. In this way, he will always hunt with proven weapons and will use the appropriate ammunition for each type of hunting species, while being aware of his own shooting skills and his ethical duty.
17. The hunter maintains moderation and self-control, does not allow the passion of the hunt to become greed.
18. The hunter must refrain from shooting in conditions that may endanger the safety of others or the environment, regardless of the effect this may have on his chances of hunting prey. This restriction applies in the same way in the event that the prey has no way to escape or it is impossible to recover its body once it has been shot down and in doubtful situations regarding who has the priority to shoot.
19. The hunter is obliged to verify the effectiveness of the shot, search for the injured animal and shorten its suffering as quickly and humanely as possible.
20. Hunters pay special attention and care to older hunters, as well as those who, due to their limited physical condition, cannot fully participate in hunting activities.
21. Hunters maintain hunting traditions, taking care of hunting ceremonies and events. The hunts are accompanied by customs and rituals that mainly include hunting vows, hunting baptisms, hunting recognitions, decoration of “branches”, information sessions for hunters and the use of hunting signals.
22. During hunting games, the clothing typical of the hunter aesthetic is used and during official meetings or ceremonies, the appropriate hunting suit of the association is put on.
23. The hunter, with his presence and behavior, should not generate excessive anxiety in the hunting ground, taking into account that this is the natural environment of the prey.
24. Hunters avoid disputes over hunted animals, if they occur, they are resolved in a friendly environment according to established rules and regulations.
25. The hunter considers the hunting dog to be a companion and a helper, so he cares for it, cares about its needs and does not force it to make any excessive effort. When it grows old, he gives him a dignified and peaceful life.
26. Respect and proper treatment of hunted animals testifies to the hunter’s culture. It is the hunter’s duty to secure and properly use the remains of the prey.
27. The hunter honors hunting trophies, prepares them properly, preserves them, presents them for medal or evaluation, displays them properly, and makes them available for both hunting displays and educational purposes.
28. The hunter shows sensitivity and helps in the fight against the effects of natural disasters and other events that have a negative impact on the animals and the environment.