RE: how "ethical" is this ?
I would say fair chase is opinion based. For instance, I would consider it more fair chase to use a natural barrier than a fence. However, in the end, the same results are desired, to funnel deer.
I once new a guy that would fence off his food plots, except for one gap about 20yds wide. he would put his stands in that gap. Any deer that came to the plot had to go through that gap. That is not fair chase IMO.