What's so important about fair chase?

Fair chase is an important moral commodity that hunters should strive to live by. Unfortunately, the competitive desire to harvest trophy-class big game animals and the increasing advancements in technology have tempted some to stretch these self-restricting controls. Arizona has decided to take a stand. During last June's scheduled meeting of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, a unanimous vote passed to ban trail cameras for hunting. They'll still be permitted to be used for research, general wildlife viewing and to protect property. Kurt Davis, chairman of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Commission, explains that it was determined the cameras violate the Fair Chase Doctrine, which "pays respect to the traditions of hunting and angling by emphasizing the development of an individual's skills rather than reliance on practices or technologies that overwhelm the quarry's ability to elude detection or take." So, what is so important about fair chase? Alaska's hunter education course stresses that fair chase ensures that hunters have no unfair advantage over wild game by "balancing the skill and equipment of the hunter" with the abilities of the animal to evade pursuit. The Pope and Young Club, founded in 1961, is the nation's leading bowhunting conservation organization. The nonprofit maintains bowhunting's big game records with an objective of bettering the collective image of the sport. It has a reputation as a standard-bearer for the principles of ethical sportsmanship and the concept of fair chase. In their rules — besides obvious no-no's such as spotlighting animals, poisons, shooting from motorized vehicles or boats, hunting fenced enclosures and using powered vehicles to intercept or divide animals — they include this description: "By the use of electronic devices for attracting, locating or pursuing game or guiding the hunter to such game." Any of these advantages will effectively edge a trophy out of the club's records lists. The use of a device or method does not have to be illegal to violate Pope and Young's standards. The Boone and Crockett Club is another conservation organization that promotes hunting and maintains records of trophy big game animals. Established in 1887, its members initiated the first laws dedicated solely to wildlife conservation and helped establish the methods to pay for it. The Lacey Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Wildlife Restoration Act/Pittman-Robertson Act and the Federal Duck Stamp Act were birthed by its members. How important is fair chase to this conservation organization? Enough so that it named its membership magazine "Fair Chase" and outlined the concept's definition. Apparently, Arizona's new laws regarding game cameras — especially remote viewing cameras — follows the idea of "too much" technology prescribed by two of the nation's most well-known conservation organizations. The Grand Canyon State's limited water resources can congregate animals, and there's little doubt that close remote monitoring will definitely give the pursuer the edge. Does this advantage extend to areas with more abundant food and water resources? While the habitat base differs between states, the idea of fair chase should always be the hunter's covenant. Just because something isn't illegal doesn't mean that it's the morally high ground. The most important aspects of life are often found within the notion of self-restraint. Personal skill development in hunting and fishing outweighs the idea of store-purchased expertism. While many states have established regulations to assist in maintaining fair chase standards, sometimes it comes down to individual choices. The philosophy must extend beyond the hunt and into an attitude based on respect: respect for wildlife, other hunters and wildlife enthusiasts, and the environment. Hunters making these choices must consider that when standing in front of a mirror, those around you may be caught in your reflection. Hunting has one major enemy inside the hunting fraternity: ego. As a wildlife officer, it's the one common denominator that I found to be evident in many game violations — especially those involving big game. When you stir technology into that simmering pot, it sometimes boils over. Actions are justified with comments like, "I only get out a few days a year," "I paid a lot of money for this trip" or "I've been hunting that buck for years." I'm certain the nation's wardens could easily add many more excuses to the list. Unfortunately, that's why new regulations are formulated and anti-hunting groups gain support. Is technology in the hunting field a bad thing? Of course not. Improvements that help ensure the clean harvest of an animal are always welcome. Better optics, bullet construction and general equipment allowances all play a positive role. So, what is this invisible ethical tightrope upon which we must balance? Daniel A. Pedrotti Jr., a member of Boon and Crockett's Hunter Ethics Sub-Committee had this to say: "So, where is the line? Each of us has to make our own determination and live with it, but there are some guidelines worth considering. When a particular technology allows a hunter to disregard a typical or normal hunting skill (think extreme long-range shooting equipment), you are getting warm. "If a technology decreases the game animal's opportunity to elude or escape detection (think trail cams with live time, cellular capability), you are over the line. If the use or application of a technology changes the natural circumstance of the hunt (think genetic manipulation), you probably aren't even hunting anymore." While the hunter's ultimate goal may be to harvest an animal, we must keep in mind that manufacturers are looking to harvest the hunter's wallet. Some of their creations are excellent and useful while others may well tread on a hunt's integrity. "Enter our old friends, ego and technology. When ego requires one to get the trophy at all cost, the sanctity of the hunt is forfeited. When one is willing to forego the effort, manipulate the odds or change the circumstance, the end product is a fake," Pedrotti adds. An old friend had more than 50 years hunting the hills of Ohio with no more than his Bear and Howard Hill bows and self-sharpened Bear broadheads. He became one of the most knowledgeable deer hunters I've ever had the pleasure to know. Once given a game camera as a gift, he set it up near his backyard birdfeeder. He took his share of deer but never a recordable trophy. He routinely carried a 35 mm camera to capture sunrises, wandering turkeys, pounding pileated woodpeckers and curious young bucks with many of those photos gracing his study. As he grew older, he became very selective in his hunting habits and often volunteered to teach younger generations about target shooting and bow hunting. Upon his death, he still hadn't placed a buck in any record book, but if there were a record book for gentleman and hunters, he'd have been the trophy standard. It's rare that anyone will witness the moment when the arrow is loosed or the cartridge ignites. Few will know how we acted or conducted ourselves during these adventures or if we took shortcuts to achieve a trophy. As for me, I'll stick with the example taught to me many years ago, regardless of technology's path. "A hunt based only on the trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be." — Fred Bear "If you consider an unsuccessful hunt to be a waste of time, then the true meaning of the chase eludes you all together."— Fred Bear "Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching — even when doing the wrong thing is legal." — Aldo Leopold Step outside: • You have through Sunday's deadline to apply to become an Ohio Wildlife Officer. The 31st Wildlife Officer Training Academy will begin in August. Learn more about the job and how to apply at https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/buy-and-apply/support-odnr/jobs/wildlife-officer-career • You can explore all of Ohio's registered trophy bucks, even by searching by name or county, at https://apps.ohiodnr.gov/Wildlife/BigBuck/ • Today through Tuesday: Statewide muzzleloader deer season. • Hunter and Trapper Education Class information and registration is available at www.wildohio.gov or by calling 800-WILDLIFE. Locally, call 419-424-5000. Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via email at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com