Achievement-Oriented Hunters
Achievement-oriented motivations are satiated by a test or demonstration of technical competence. They are willing to make the effort to be better hunters and are able and willing to demonstrate prowess. These traits are certainly noteworthy and should be encouraged. However, in some instances these traits can lead to problems. In the opinion of the conference, Achievement-oriented hunters may be the most likely to exhibit negative traits, or even do something illegal or immoral. The hunter may feel the need to harvest the most animals, or the biggest, or to make an attempt at an animal the furthest away.

This is not to say Achievement-oriented hunters cause problems. Certainly there is nothing wrong with being achievement oriented, provided the hunt is approached appropriately. But hunting “appropriately” may mean going home empty handed some days. That means going home a “failure” and having to wait until next season for another “test.”

This is a perfect example of how hunter’s education and hunting seasons can not provide the total solution. By definition, hunter’s ed. is basic, minimal training. By necessity the courses have to be simplistic because no single course could possibly cover all the possibilities encountered afield. The Achievement –oriented hunter may feel the need to test his skill in order to assess if he “measures up.” Achievement is the basis of any worthy pursuit. Goal setting and accomplishment is what allows good things to happen. However, there is a proper time and place. In the field, an attempt to “out do” a rival hunter or to best your last trip may lead to an act that is illegal, unethical, or even dangerous. Hunters should never experiment or try something “impressive” on a living creature. I would wager this, coupled with poor marksmanship skills, accounts for nearly all of the lost and wounded game every season; the hunter was overconfident and his skills failed to deliver.