Fair chase is a concept in hunting ethics that is debated across sources, but authoritative definitions generally center on the hunter’s conduct in relation to the animal and the surrounding rules. The most widely cited definition comes from the Boone and Crockett Club, which describes fair chase as the ethical, sportsmanlike, and lawful pursuit and taking of free-ranging wild, native North American big-game animals in a manner that does not give the hunter an improper advantage. This framing emphasizes both the hunter’s behavior (self-restraint, skill development, sportsmanship) and the ecological/legal context (the animal is wild and free-ranging, and the pursuit complies with laws). Key strands often associated with fair chase

• Ethical pursuit: self-restraint, skill, and fair competition between hunter and quarry.
• Animal status: the animal is wild and free-ranging, not contained or artificially restrained.
• Legal and regulatory alignment: hunting practices adhere to laws and established regulations to prevent unfair leverage or harm to populations.
• Conservation orientation: the concept has historically been tied to responsible wildlife management and the idea that hunting should be sustainable and conducted with regard to ecosystem health.

Practical implications

• Prohibitions: use of vehicles, airplanes, electronic calls, or fenced/captive environments that would give an unfair or unnatural advantage is typically discouraged or prohibited under fair chase norms.
• Education and certification: many hunting ethics programs teach fair chase as a foundational principle, reinforcing personal responsibility and respect for wildlife.
• Diverse definitions: some courses and organizations present variations, sometimes emphasizing individual self-restraint or legal/regulatory bounds as the defining element, which can lead to differing interpretations of “primarily defined by whom and what.”

Answers to the prompt

• Primarily defined by whom: the ethical standards and self-regulation of individual hunters, reinforced by the broader hunting community and professional conservation organizations.
• Primarily defined by what: a combination of (1) the animal being wild and free-ranging, (2) the hunter adhering to ethical conduct and self-restraint, and (3) compliance with relevant laws and regulations designed to ensure fair competition and conservation.

If you’d like, I can summarize how various organizations frame fair chase differently or provide quotes from key sources to illustrate the range of perspectives.