Deer spotlights?
- Thread starter ratter
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Cityboyfarmer
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What you have just described is illegal in Georgia and is considered harassing wildlife, unless you are racoon hunting, and even then the wattage is regulated. What does your state hunting regulations say?
Usually, in Georgia, when you see a spotlight shining from a truck on the road, it will eventually be followed by a high-powered rifle shot. One recent incident I recall, a shot was fired by a spotlighter and hit someones house and lodged in their refrigerator. Just moments earlier, a child had been standing in front of the refrigerator. It could have been a tragic ending.
We have an outdoor magazine called "Georgia Outdoor News" that has a "Poachers Hall of Shame" section where the Ga. DNR arrests of people violating state hunting laws are published. Every season, and sometimes out of season, there are people arrested for spotlighting deer, and discharging a weapon from a public road. Unbelievable. Usually they are fined, but I believe a 6-12 month jail sentence and confiscation of their vehicle and its contents would put a stop to it. I have zero sympathy for anyone who recklessly discharges a firearm like this.
Usually, in Georgia, when you see a spotlight shining from a truck on the road, it will eventually be followed by a high-powered rifle shot. One recent incident I recall, a shot was fired by a spotlighter and hit someones house and lodged in their refrigerator. Just moments earlier, a child had been standing in front of the refrigerator. It could have been a tragic ending.
We have an outdoor magazine called "Georgia Outdoor News" that has a "Poachers Hall of Shame" section where the Ga. DNR arrests of people violating state hunting laws are published. Every season, and sometimes out of season, there are people arrested for spotlighting deer, and discharging a weapon from a public road. Unbelievable. Usually they are fined, but I believe a 6-12 month jail sentence and confiscation of their vehicle and its contents would put a stop to it. I have zero sympathy for anyone who recklessly discharges a firearm like this.
Richard
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We've had some folks (morons?) busted out our way for spotlighting deer (with guns in hand evidently). Not happened for a while that I'm aware of.
What HAS happened recently, in fact just a week ago... some DOLT was out on the lake and evidently shot from his boat into the woods ACROSS THE ROAD /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Wife told me about it couple days later & wanted me to call Wildlife.
I told her they were probably gone by this time /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
The stupidity that some folks have is simply beyond my comprehension.
What HAS happened recently, in fact just a week ago... some DOLT was out on the lake and evidently shot from his boat into the woods ACROSS THE ROAD /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Wife told me about it couple days later & wanted me to call Wildlife.
I told her they were probably gone by this time /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
The stupidity that some folks have is simply beyond my comprehension.
KAB
Gold Member
In PA spotlightling is legal for certain activities.
From PA Game Commisssion:
Sec. 2311. Restrictions on recreational spotlighting.
(a) Unlawful acts. - It is unlawful for any person to cast or to assist any other person in casting the rays of a spotlight, vehicle headlight or any other artificial light of any kind from any vehicle, watercraft, airborne craft or any attachment to such vehicles or crafts:
(1) Upon any building at any time.
(2) In any manner which frightens, excites or harasses any livestock, poultry or other farm animal.
(3) To search for or locate for any purpose any game or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth, other than specified in paragraph (4), daily between the hours of 11 p.m. and sunrise on the following day.
(4) To search for or locate for any purpose any game or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth at any time during the antlered deer rifle season and during the antlerless deer rifle season.
(5) Upon photoelectric cell lights.
The provisions of this subsection shall not apply if it is proven that the headlights of a vehicle or conveyance were being used while traveling on a roadway in the usual way.
(b) Penalty. - A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fifth degree.
You can contact the Game Commission if any of these rules are being violated. The Deputies love to issue citations to these people. (FIL and friends used to be with the Game Commission.)
Kurt
From PA Game Commisssion:
Sec. 2311. Restrictions on recreational spotlighting.
(a) Unlawful acts. - It is unlawful for any person to cast or to assist any other person in casting the rays of a spotlight, vehicle headlight or any other artificial light of any kind from any vehicle, watercraft, airborne craft or any attachment to such vehicles or crafts:
(1) Upon any building at any time.
(2) In any manner which frightens, excites or harasses any livestock, poultry or other farm animal.
(3) To search for or locate for any purpose any game or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth, other than specified in paragraph (4), daily between the hours of 11 p.m. and sunrise on the following day.
(4) To search for or locate for any purpose any game or wildlife anywhere within this Commonwealth at any time during the antlered deer rifle season and during the antlerless deer rifle season.
(5) Upon photoelectric cell lights.
The provisions of this subsection shall not apply if it is proven that the headlights of a vehicle or conveyance were being used while traveling on a roadway in the usual way.
(b) Penalty. - A violation of this section is a summary offense of the fifth degree.
You can contact the Game Commission if any of these rules are being violated. The Deputies love to issue citations to these people. (FIL and friends used to be with the Game Commission.)
Kurt
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
Laws aside for the moment. Shining a big ol' flood light in someone's property is just plain RUDE. I don't care if it is "fun" to watch a buck walk across a field at night, it's violating my right to privacy to shine it in the field in front of my house. Whatever happened to respect and courtesy.
A couple years back, I had someone driving past the farm EVERY NIGHT, spotting the hay fields in front of the house. I decided to fight fire with fire. I hid in a patch of trees, armed with a spotlight of my own. When they lit up my field, I lit up their pickup truck. The look on their faces was priceless! They never returned.
They're probably still a little "blind" from the experience! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
A couple years back, I had someone driving past the farm EVERY NIGHT, spotting the hay fields in front of the house. I decided to fight fire with fire. I hid in a patch of trees, armed with a spotlight of my own. When they lit up my field, I lit up their pickup truck. The look on their faces was priceless! They never returned.
They're probably still a little "blind" from the experience! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
thcri
Elite Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I was thinking about six of duct taped together. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>
ratter,
I would just call the DNR and tell them about it. If you start harrassing them they may come after you. Just let the DNR handle it and they may not even know it was you that called in.
murph
ratter,
I would just call the DNR and tell them about it. If you start harrassing them they may come after you. Just let the DNR handle it and they may not even know it was you that called in.
murph
ByronBob
Veteran Member
As Bob said, in NY this is legal but shining it in your home isn't. You can even have a weapon in the vehicle as long as it isn't loaded.
Most states I think have a hotline for poaching which is taken seriously by the game wardens. If your cought you loose your license for a long time.
I got a lift one day by a warden after getting an 8pt buck. Got lost a bit and he came by. (Thank god) He opened the back seat of his blazer and scared the bejesus out of me. In there was a life like buck, radio controlled decoy for catching people hunting from the road.
Their out there trying to keep hunters honest. If it really bothers you call the DNR and talk to them.
Most states I think have a hotline for poaching which is taken seriously by the game wardens. If your cought you loose your license for a long time.
I got a lift one day by a warden after getting an 8pt buck. Got lost a bit and he came by. (Thank god) He opened the back seat of his blazer and scared the bejesus out of me. In there was a life like buck, radio controlled decoy for catching people hunting from the road.
Their out there trying to keep hunters honest. If it really bothers you call the DNR and talk to them.
slowrev
Elite Member
( So people are out after dark shooting high powered rifles in the dark ?????????
Ben
)
"No no, just driving by slowly, waving a spotlight."
What's the purpose ? Does not sound like much fun to me. Beer must be involved.
Ben
)
"No no, just driving by slowly, waving a spotlight."
What's the purpose ? Does not sound like much fun to me. Beer must be involved.
Farmwithjunk
Super Member
I was told one time (tongue-in-cheek) by a law enforcement officer that should a "black box" similar to airplanes, be installed in pick-up trucks, the #1 thing you'd hear before most pickup crashes would be, "Hold my beer and watch this"!
I don't doubt it for one second.
I don't doubt it for one second.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Laws aside for the moment. Shining a big ol' flood light in someone's property is just plain RUDE. I don't care if it is "fun" to watch a buck walk across a field at night, it's violating my right to privacy to shine it in the field in front of my house. Whatever happened to respect and courtesy.
A couple years back, I had someone driving past the farm EVERY NIGHT, spotting the hay fields in front of the house. I decided to fight fire with fire. I hid in a patch of trees, armed with a spotlight of my own. When they lit up my field, I lit up their pickup truck. The look on their faces was priceless! They never returned.
They're probably still a little "blind" from the experience! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif )</font>
You hit the nail on the head right there, just plain rude. Oh well, it's a nuisance. If it carries on too much or gets out of hand, I'll call the authorities.
A couple years back, I had someone driving past the farm EVERY NIGHT, spotting the hay fields in front of the house. I decided to fight fire with fire. I hid in a patch of trees, armed with a spotlight of my own. When they lit up my field, I lit up their pickup truck. The look on their faces was priceless! They never returned.
They're probably still a little "blind" from the experience! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif )</font>
You hit the nail on the head right there, just plain rude. Oh well, it's a nuisance. If it carries on too much or gets out of hand, I'll call the authorities.