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Great News!! The 2011 Bow Season is finally here, and we believe the rut has just kicked in. We have seen alot of chasing already. You guys need to be hanging in a tree somewhere right now, because it's on!

So what is fair chase whitetailed deer hunting in Ohio?

The debate over hunting goes way back. While activists and sportsmen will probably be in dispute for years to come, there are steps being taken to make this sport as ethical as possible. That's the idea behind fair chase hunting.
FAIR CHASE, as defined by the Boone and Crockett Club, is the ethical, sportsmanlike, and lawful pursuit and taking of any free-ranging wild, native North American big game animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an improper advantage over such animals.

In simpler terms, it means hunting without taking advantage of the animals and allowing them a fair chance to escape in defense.

Here are some of the basic rules of ethics that fair chase hunters live by:

• When hunting, obey all laws and regulations.
• When away from home, respect the land and customs of the locals.
• Adapt and follow a specific personal code that will bring out favorable abilities and sensibilities as a hunter.
• Never draw out the death of prey. Try to attain the best shot to make the kill as quick and precise as possible.
• Keep the personal code in mind and let it dictate behavior. It is the responsibility of the hunter not to dishonor the hunter, the hunted or the environment

The ethical approach also states that a hunter may not take an animal if:

• The hunter herded or spotted the animal from air and then quickly landed to pursue.
• It was herded or chased by a motorized vehicle.
• Electronic communication devices are being used.
• It is confined by artificial barriers or transplanted for commercial shooting.
• It is trapped or drugged.
• It's swimming, trapped in snow or helpless in any nature.
• The hunter is using another hunter's license.
• Laws or regulations are being broken.

Austin Holley 2007 Button Buck crossbow kill

Pope and Young view "Fair Chase" in similar terms as Boone and Crockett,

They state: The term “Fair Chase” shall not include the taking of animals under the following conditions:

• Helpless in a trap, deep snow or water, or on ice.
• From any power vehicle or power boat.
• By “jacklighting” or shining at night.
• By the use of any tranquilizers or poisons.
• While inside escape-proof fenced enclosures.
• By the use of any power vehicle or power boats for herding or driving animals, including use of aircraft to land alongside or to communicate with or direct a hunter on the ground.
• By the use of electronic devices for attracting, locating or pursuing game or guiding the hunter to such game, or by the use of a bow or arrow to which any electronic device is attached.
• Any other condition considered by the Board of Directors as unacceptable.

The fair chase concept does, however, extend beyond the hunt itself; it is an attitude and a way of life based in a deep-seated respect for wildlife, for the environment, and for other individuals who share the bounty of this vast continent’s natural resources.

So, as you can see there are so many interpretations and personal beliefs regarding the rules of fair chase. So here at Ohio Fair Chase, we feel that a combination of the two sets of rules as stated by both Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young are the rules we live by.

Ohio's Public hunting land is full of big monster bucks and Ohio deer hunting is better than ever. This creates an excellent opportunity for hunters who enjoy "real hunting" using fair chase methods.  The record books are proving it with the sheer numbers of awesome white tail bucks being reported in Ohio hunting reports. Its drawing big numbers and along with that comes big names.  All you have to do is watch television and see all the big name hunters that are leasing land in Ohio now.  The forecast for 2011 and the genetics that are present today, will bring even more awesome buck records to the table!

Ohio Division of Natural Resources News:

With all of the following Public wildlife areas, why would anyone even consider "high fence hunting"?

Want to fair chase hunt in Ohio?  Then check out the following public hunting areas located through out Ohio....

Are you convinced yet?  Leave the high fences to the zoos and experience fair chase deer and turkey hunting in Ohio, once you take that buck of a lifetime using fair chace hunting techniques while deep in the heart of Ohio's public hunting land, you will quickly see why fair chase hunting is in our blood. 

This is why we encourage our families to get involved and let them experience the thrill for themselves. 

Remember, it's not about the killing...its the scouting, tracking, enjoying the outdoors, climbing in a tree and watching the sun rise, watching the wildlife, and then seeing it all come together as that big monster buck starts walking right towards you.