Two local hunters have been recognized for their conscientious actions during Wisconsin's archery and firearm deer hunts, being awarded the 2024 Ethical Hunter Award by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Eliot Babino of Platteville and Cody Kabus of Independence were the two individuals commended for their ethical behavior in a ceremony on April 17, sponsored by Vortex Optics, as per an announcement by the DNR.
Babino's act of integrity involved finding two deer rifles left behind at a boat landing at Yellowstone Lake. After earlier assisting two hunters with their boat and suspecting the firearms belonged to them, he decided not to disregard the oversight. Instead, Babino enlisted the help of DNR conservation warden Jane Voskuilen to ensure the rifles were returned to their owners. Meanwhile, Kabus demonstrated similar moral fortitude when he tracked down and dispatched a deer he initially believed he had wounded the previous afternoon. However, he discovered that another hunter had wounded the animal. Recognizing the mistake, he ensured that the trophy buck was given to the rightful bowhunter.
The notion of ethical hunting is deeply rooted in the Wisconsin hunting community, and the public plays a pivotal role by submitting nominations for the award. These nominations are then evaluated by a panel that includes five DNR conservation wardens, both active and retired, as well as two outdoor writers.
"We want to ensure future generations have good stories to hear about hunters doing the right thing. Or, better yet, see these actions as they occur in the field," explained Lt. Renee Thok, Wisconsin DNR hunter education administrator, in a statement obtained by the DNR, she further underscored the significance of celebrating such acts, "These ethical acts are real-life examples of how to hunt correctly and ethically, and it is very important to highlight and honor them." Since its establishment in 1997, the Ethical Hunter Award has recognized exemplary conduct, setting standards and expectations for hunters across the state.
