How Fair Chase Hunting Works

­In a world of insider trading, and anti-theft devices, it can be hard to recognize what role ethic­s have come to play in our society. But in fair chase hunting, the role seems clear, at least to some hunters; it is seen as the ethical way to hunt. And there are many sportsmen out there who believe in this code of conduct. Much of this attitude comes from the reasons these people starting hunting in the first place -- to conserve nature and its species.

As the human population grows, so does its dependency on space and natural resources. We're constantly expanding, taking land and converting it for new use. This puts added pressure on wildlife to find habitats and food. Fair chase hunting follows strict rules, ensuring advocates hunt animals that are within the law and regulations of the land. By hunting some animals, others will be better able to attain the basic necessitates of life.

So hunting has its foundation, but why fair chase? One hunter says that when the animal isn't given a fair chance to escape and protect itself, then the sport isn't really hunting. Instead, it's just killing or murder. Following the rules of ethics makes hunting a fair sport [source: Briggs].

But it's not exactly a case of clear-cut right and wrong, as it may seem. The next page highlights the cons of fair chase hunting.

There really aren't many arguments against fair chase hunting as much as there are arguments against hunting in general. It seems that, as a whole, the practice i­s highly respected among the hunting community and merely opposed by those who oppose the sport of hunting in its entirety. But some hunters do admit to straying from the fair chase path.

­One hunter says he draws the fair chase line at varmints. While he respects the idea for big game, he sees no need to restrain from hunting any disease-infested animal by the easiest means possible. If a rat, or similar animal, poses a threat to the health, safety or well-being of humans or other animals, he will most likely throw the ethics book out the window. But he does recognize the need to remain respectful of these animals in their natural state, away from humans. After all, no matter how dirty or annoying an animal may be, it still plays an important role in our ecosystem [source: Martin].

It's also beneficial to take each individual's specific motivation for hunting into consideration. For example, ethics may be forgotten when a human is hunting out of necessity, for basic sustenance. This is where ethics get blurry, because who's to say which life is more important?

So, now we know the idea behind fair chase hunting and how those ethics are challenged. The next time you go hunting, consider both sides. And, either way, hunt safely.