Fair Chase Hunting Ranch White Paper

The North American Deer Farmers Association (NADeFA) was founded in 1983.  The Association represents cervid farmers throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.  This organization is dedicated to the promotion of deer farming and hunting ranch operations.  The North American Deer Farmers Association provides leadership in setting and maintaining high quality standards for the industry.

NADeFA’s Hunting Ranch Council developed this white paper to educate the public regarding the positive contributions hunting ranches make throughout North America.

Public Perception of Hunting

Hunting has been a heritage within our society and a viable part of our conservation history since the beginning of time.  Hunting as a means of survival and the necessity for food, is now a tradition enjoyed by millions of people throughout the world.  Protecting and promoting the right to hunt makes ethics essential to all groups involved in the hunting industry.  It is vital to protect our hunting heritage.  As advocates of hunting, we are united and have developed ethical practices which promote and maintain respect for the tradition of hunting and the animals.  

Promotion of Ethical Practices

NADeFA’s goal is to make recommendations to promote the hunting ranch industry, to provide guidelines for safe hunting experiences for hunters and ranch employees, and maintain ethical practices in the management and hunting of animals.  NADeFA believes that by taking serious steps to educate the hunting industry and the public, the tradition of hunting and its contributions to conservation will continue to grow in this country for future generations.  

Purpose and Goals of Hunting Ranches

Hunting Ranches promote the profession of managing and hunting on privately owned property.  This is accomplished by maintaining a positive and safe experience in a fair chase hunting environment, while promoting the responsible and ethical management of hunting ranches.

Positive Aspects of Hunting Ranches for Hunters and Local Communities

The following are contributions hunting ranches offer and provide that positively affect surrounding communities, states, hunters and the public:

(1) Hunting ranches provide hunters with a safe hunting environment, as everyone is aware of all other hunters, and their locations while hunting. 

(2) Hunting ranches allow the study of wildlife and their behavior in a natural environment.  Animals and habitat can be evaluated to find which plants and animals work together to enhance all wildlife species. 

(3) Hunting ranches provide the owner the opportunity to intensely manage the animals living on his property; as other property owners do not always share the same management goals.

(4) Hunting ranches create jobs in rural America 

(5) Hunting ranches support local communities.  Money spent on hunts comes from urban areas and non-residents.  Without hunting ranches this money would never reach these states or rural communities.  The owners of hunting ranches spend most of their operating budgets in these local communities, thus supporting the economy in rural America.

(6) Hunting ranches, through their conservation efforts, provide sanctuary for many non-game species of birds, plants, and animals. 

(7) Hunting ranches prevent animals from entering our nation’s roads and highways, helping protect drivers from inadvertent collisions.  Every year tens of thousands of automobile collusions caused by animals on the highway occur across the nation, causing billions of dollars in damage and even death to many of the victims.

(8) Hunting ranches allow traditional farmers and ranchers the opportunity to utilize all of their property for revenue production.  Most farms and ranches have property that is not suitable for the owner to utilize in their normal business.  Bringing more land into production keeps many family farmers and ranchers from having to go out of business. 

(9) Hunting ranches offer families the opportunity to make their living and raise their children in a rural environment.

(10) Most important of all, hunting ranches provide for a safe and exciting environment for children and adults alike to learn the love and respect of ethical hunting and the outdoors.  A hunting ranch provides the opportunity for hunters of all ages and knowledge to experience the thrill of watching a variety of wildlife in nature.  Hunters young and old learn the value of comradeship gained through the hunting experience.  Hunting ranches bring new hunters to the outdoors and allow everyone the experience and knowledge to keep them hooked on hunting for life.

Positive Economic Impact of Hunting Ranches

An independent economic impact study of hunting ranches and their related businesses conducted by Texas A&M University (www.afpc.tamu.edu) shows an astonishing $3 billion a year industry, which employs nearly thirty thousand people.  The hunting ranch industry is one of the fastest growing industries in rural America and is projected to continue on that path in diverse economic times.

Conclusion 

The North American Deer Farmers Association and its Hunting Ranch Council are dedicated to protecting and preserving the rights of individuals to operate hunting facilities.  NADeFA will continually advocate the rights of hunters to choose their hunting experience and the rights of property owners to operate their businesses in a legal and responsible manner.  NADeFA protects the freedom to hunt by working with national and state legislators to ensure that the sport of hunting is preserved for future generations.