Hunting
States | Taking (harvest)All sportsmen are responsible to ensure their own shooting skills to ensure as quick a harvest as possible in every case. Each of the MAHA hunting disciplines has its own set of harvest fair chase ethics listed within that section found at the end of this MAHA over capstone fair chase ethics statement.
Free RangingWhile having covered that MAHA does not conduct any high fence or other wildlife restricting hunts our fair chase concept is inclusive of other activities that are in the boarder or gray region concerning free ranging wildlife (drive hunts). We further do not propagate or post any wildlife for the purpose of hunting. An example would be the release of wildlife in a field immediately before the arrival of hunters. Such confinement-raised wildlife lacks the appropriate fear response required for effective escape behavior and hence would not be fair chase relative to wild animals. Perhaps more controversial is the MAHA fair chase limitation on baiting. The first discussion is the distinction between baiting and year round food sources such as a food plot. Both have the same intended result in they concentrate wildlife in a specific area. The distinction of course is timing. A food plot does provide year round cover and typically time specific food source the wildlife does concentrate and at times hunters many be present to gain that advantage. What is beneficial about a food plot is that it becomes a supplemental and not a single source food source giving benefit year round and at the wildlife’s daylong choice of use. Baiting such as hanging cut apples in a net bag immediately before a hunt and for a limited time just at the height a deer could nibble a few differs from a food plot for its effect even though both achieve the same result of concentrating wildlife. The food plot gives much benefit to the wildlife and some to the hunter. The use of bait gives little benefit to the wildlife and much to the hunter. The underlying principle in all cases for fair chase is the scales must be tilted toward the benefit of the animal as the entire concept of fair chase is to keep the hunt a hunt and not a guarantee The controversy over baiting continues as illustrated by attracting scents typical of the female deer in estrus to attract a rutting buck. The manipulation of the animal is the same as a food plot or apple baiting that of providing an instinctual drive satisfaction be it food for hunger or reproduction. Both fit the metabolizing and reproductive definitions of life itself, the two most behavioral motivating factors for any creature. Moreover, for concentrating in this case of deer estrus not only a specific creature but also the male of that species. If the effect is the same regardless of the cause, should not both be prohibited? MAHA fair chase hunting line is drawn on the continuum that MAHA builds wetlands habitat inclusive of food source vegetation for the purpose of attracting waterfowl. No other food plot is built. Use of attracting scents is permissible; however short term baiting targeting a specific creature is not.
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