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What's your take on fair chase?

Submitted by Roger Phillips on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 4:51pm.

Every year I have a Jekyll and Hyde moment when I start thinking about what constitutes fair chase. I wrote about it in my column in the annual Hunting Guide coming out on Thursday.

I don't expect all people to agree with me. It would be a boring world if they did, but that topic leaves me more divided than any other.

What's legal and illegal is simple, what's fair is much harder to define. The debate for me usually centers around big game hunting.

I like to spot and stalk big game. I don't own and ATV and never intend to buy one. I hike a lot of miles and usually have to drag or carry out my game on my back. It's not easy, but it is satisfying. I hunt with a rifle with a scope and carry a set of 10-power binoculars. Sometimes I hunt elk with a muzzleloader.

I think it's important to keep a fairly level playing field with animals I hunt, but when I take a hard look, I see technology creeping in. I bought a new elk rifle last year and jumped from a 3x9 scope to a 4.5x14 scope. I decided a more powerful scope is easier than carrying a spotting scope. I used to carry a GPS before it was stolen out of my pickup. Eventually, I will replace it. I have toyed with the idea of buying a range finder, but haven't done it. I love to geek on Google Earth to scout hunting spots.

So I am slowly adding a few gadgets that help me out in minute ways, and over time, some of that stuff might be difference between getting game and not getting game.

I don't think those things constitutes an unfair advantage, but I can't ignore the big picture. If things help me take more animals, other hunters are using them, too. If they're having the same results, what effect will that have on game populations and hunting rules?

Idaho is a rare place. I can buy a deer and elk tag over the counter and hunt every year. That's something most of our neighboring states lost years ago. I would like to see that tradition continue indefinitely, but Idaho is growing, and we're losing prime game habitat every year.

I would like to buy those fancy new gadgets, take them hunting and not think about the bigger picture, but I can't. I get this gnawing feeling inside that I'm creating a problem down the road.

I sure don't have all the answers, but I will never quit asking myself that basic question: What is fair chase?

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You decide

Submitted by milburnschmidt on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 7:31pm.

Its up to you what a fair chase is, If you lack stalking skills or a eye for game sign all the new electronic toys wont help you. For myself Bow hunting for Elk was the ultimate.One pin on my Bow no laser range finder,no trigger releases and if I got close enough to a elk to smell it that was as exciting as a kill.Hunting is fun killing is work. Those with ultra high power rifles and Archers who shoot 100 yards will wound and lose more game in the long run taking shots they should have passed on. Ever wondered why a rifle hunter will take a shot at several hundred yards and a bow hunter will take a shot at the same elk in less than ten yards. It all depends which is more important to you the thrill of a basic hunt or a Shot from a hunting blind with a laser range finder,computerized scope with a rifle on a bi pod on a bench table and game cameras all over the place.As you get older a ATV in the area is a assist for walking and hauling game or using a horse. a GPS can save you a lot of time finding yopur way back to where you parked in unfamiliar territory.Its still just a sport and you make your own rules on how hard it should be.You really need very little for a basic hunt the rest is just marketing and toys for boys.

Ranger Finder

Submitted by YPmule on Tue, 08/26/2008 - 9:13pm.

Not to point fingers at typos, but I loved this:
"I have toyed with the idea of buying a ranger finder, but haven't done it."

There have been times I wouldn't mind having a ranger finder (I don't get lost, I just misplace camp sometimes.)

Love your stories.

I hope Yogi and Boo-Boo are still out there!

Submitted by foreignoregonian on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 1:42am.

got pic-a-nic basket?

One a year, I don't chase fairs.

Submitted by foreignoregonian on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 1:41am.

There is no "Fair Chase"

Submitted by political_junkie on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 11:51am.

We are predators with superior technology. You can't justify the hunt by saying that you did it "fair." How you hunt should be determined by your level of personal satisfaction with the experience, not your obligation to some arbitrary concept of what is "fair" to your game.

Just a different way of looking at it.

I don’t think your

Submitted by Huntin4elk on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 12:15pm.

I don’t think your struggle with this topic is all that uncommon. However, as an archer, I feel comfortable with the current equipment restrictions. Although I’m curious to see how the new let off rule and minimum arrow weight affects people this year if at all.

I have a range finder and carry it with me all the time. Knowing the distance is such an important part of hunting with a bow. If you are mentally challenged at judging distance, like I am, a range finder is a great tool to help make a successful hunt. I still have to get close enough for a shot so I don’t think that using it gives me an advantage other than allowing me to take a good shot.

Political Junkie, yes we are predators with superior technology. However, when you find yourself in a elk’s backyard trying to get within 40 yards of it, you realize exactly inferior you really are. It can be a humbling experience.

The thrill of the hunt is what it is all about.

Of course there technically is no FAIR.

Submitted by foreignoregonian on Thu, 08/28/2008 - 4:25am.

to the SHOOTEE : )

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