The Pope and Young Club, America’s leading bowhunting organization, had a recent bylaws change to allow animals taken with a bow-attached sight equipped with a light to illuminate pin(s) (battery operated) to be eligible for entry into the records program. Previously, any trophy whereby an electronic (battery operated) sight light that was attached to the bow was not allowed. This change maintains the prohibition against the use of any forward projecting light intended to illuminate a target in any way. The policy change is retroactive allowing any animal, whether previously measured or not, and that was ineligible due to the previous policy, to now be eligible for entry into the records program.

As with all rules pertaining to Fair Chase, they are meant to serve as the bare minimum that a hunter must strive to achieve in order for their trophy animal to be accepted into the records program. When a hunter elects to not utilize newer technology as part of their personal Fair Chase beliefs, this is equally commendable. Maintaining a personal level of Fair Chase which is sometimes higher than minimum standards is an attribute the Club hopes all bowhunters would strive to achieve. As technology changes, the Pope and Young’s records committee continually evaluates these technological advancements and routinely guides and advises the Board of Directors on items/issues that they feel may exceed what is allowed under the rules of Fair Chase.

“When it comes to technology, Pope and Young has always been the ethical voice for bowhunting. However, it’s also very important that we show and educate bowhunters about these technologies and how they are not all inherently bad in every case.” stated Justin Spring, Pope and Young Executive Director. “Hunting should be conducted under Fair Chase conditions and we should continue educating bowhunters with discussions involving technological advancements and their proper use.”

The Pope and Young Club is North America's leading voice and supporter of bowhunting and related conservation issues and projects. If you are a fair chase, ethical bowhunter, and you care about preserving, protecting and promoting the culture and future of bowhunting, then you should belong to the Pope and Young Club. Join today at www.pope-young.org.