Deer spotlights?

BubbaJr · Sep 22, 2005

Yes Robert I read your post. I don't look at expensive cars I can't afford, and I don't drool over large tractors I don't need. And I also don't waste time looking for animals I can't shoot. I usually come up with much more constructive activities to consume my leisure hours. Why go around making the neighbors nervous doing something that has no useful purpose, other than to use up some idle time looking at animals running wild. I guess we have totally different tastes in "time wasters".

I have never seen any "spotlighters" in my area of Ohio. Maybe because the deer will run out in front of you so often that you have play "dodge em" with them. It's almost like they are looking for us. My wife came within 10 feet of running into one Monday morning that was just standing in the road looking at her.

Do you suppose these deer are the equivalent of human "spotlighters"? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Wannafish · Sep 22, 2005

"The point I'm trying to make is that a part of your hobby/passion of hunting, is merely an irritant to most people not involved."
With that said, no one asked my opinion but I'll give it anyway /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

In Michigan, provided there is no weapon in the vehicle, shining is legal from 6 am till 11 pm every day (except for the month of November when it prohibited).

I've done it, and I do it occasionally. I'm very careful not to shine other's buildings. This is out of respect of others and not wanting to cast a dim view of shining.

I do not shine others fields in order to see where might be a good place to hunt. I like to monitor the deer population within a 5 mile radius (approx.) around my farm. I have been doing this for the past 30~ years and am able to tell what I can expect to see around the farm.

On another note, not all "shiners" are as respectful as I. I got tired of people shining my house while going by after shining my field. The field has 1/2 mile road frontage on two roads. The road my house is on now has a 100' wide strip of corn along it. They can't see anything there so they don't shine that area anymore /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. Problem solved.
I did leave the back side open as there are a couple large hills between the road and my house acting as a natural buffer and they can shine that area all they want.

Robert_in_NY · Sep 22, 2005

Your last post made a lot more sense to me. We both are talking about our own areas. New York State is a hunting state. Our government knows this and caters to the hunting population but the anti's are also quite vocal in this state.

As I said before, I was surprised at the reaction to this spotlight issue on here as it is unheard of around here. The only complaints I ever hear are about trespassers and poachers. Of course spot lighting has been going on for a long time and I guess most everyone is use to it around here.

It does come down to respect though. If we had some idiots lighting up peoples houses every night then I am sure I would run into some resistance. But where I spot light (and even then it is only maybe 15 times total over 3 months) the houses are so spread out that you have to intentionally do something stupid to get them upset because there is so much empty land where you don't bother people. Also, most of the vacant land is owned by farmers and are crop fields. Once the corn fields are cut down you get a lot more people out shining those fields.

But as in most cases everything is different from county to county and state to state. What is normal and accepted here is considered abnormal and unacceptable where you are.

Anyway, take care and enjoy your evening.

BubbaJr · Sep 22, 2005

Hi Robert,

I just came across this from the Ohio DNR.

<font color="blue"> Spotlighting of wild animals from vehicles, including illuminating with headlights, is prohibited. Spotlighting is illegal whether hunting implements are carried in the vehicle or not.
</font>
That explains why I haven't seen anyone spotlighting in this area. Since we are both right /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, let's just agree to disagree, and I wish you a very successful hunting season, and I hope we are still TBN "buddies".

Robert_in_NY · Sep 22, 2005

I didn't know we disagreed about something? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I do not know the laws in other states and I make it a point to learn the main ones in any state I do hunt from time to time (I use to hunt Ohio but haven't in the last few years).

As for TBN friends, I don't hold grudges over trival things and I was not offended by any of the post on here. These types of discussions are how I learn about different views. It is no different then having a discussion with a few people when we are set up at a Sportsmen convention. The difference there is that I can see the other persons face. So yeah, we are still "TBN buddies" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Take care.

Docsknotinn · Sep 23, 2005

Wow, I would sure hate to be neighbors with some of you guys. Getting your shorts in a twist because someone shines a light in your field??? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Then there is the ever present anti hunting group that has to try to turn the issue to poaching or other illegal activity like shinning a house or the road.
Here in MI neither the DNR or the police will NOT respond because its perfectly legal to shine. A lot of good reasons have already been given for this. Another reason people shine is that they may be your neighbors or people who hunt surrounding public or private lands with permission. In sections of the country this is normal scouting to see what deer are where and when they move. This can assist the hunter in a perfectly legal daylight hunt by having more knowledge of the local deer herd. Yup some people poach, some drink and drive or use drugs. There are bad apples in every group including those who own tractors.

Wannafish · Sep 23, 2005

I hate to rain on your parade, but in Michigan it is ILLEGAL to shine at any time during the month of November, and between 11:00 p.m. and 6 a.m. the rest of the year. The DNR do respond to compaints for shining - they have planes in the air at night specifically to locate "shiners", during both legal hours and afterwards.
They are in radio contact with either a DNR officer or local police in a vehicle on the ground. They pretty much know who the poachers are in a given area, but if you happen to be shining in an area poachers frequent, expect to be stopped.

Keep it legal and you'll have no problems. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

HGM · Sep 23, 2005

I think some are missing the point here..

This whole thread, in my opinion, was about inconciderate people shining a 2mil candlepower light through someones front window. I dont care how you spin it, its wrong.

Concideration is the key to the whole thing. If you follow the laws and only shine public property (away from houses) or property you have permission to hunt or shine(away from houses) I doubt anyone would give you a problem. The DNR will bw interested. I seriously doubt, wherever you live that they would not like to know about shining deer, leagal or not. My point is that in alot, not all, but alot of situations, these lights are followed by gunshots. I am a hunter, I have shined, I also have a family that I protect and expect to live a normal life without being shot at. This is why we left Miami. When someone drives down my street with thier spotlight out, they will have the law called on them to make sure they have good intentions. If they are leagal, no harm, no foul. If they arent, well, whatever happens was deserved.. Either way, they will learn that someone is watching this area and it is not desireable to shine there, and will move on. Simple as that.

It is not a god given right to shine your light wherever you want, be conciderate of others and it wond be an issue. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Docsknotinn · Sep 23, 2005

I hate to rain back on your parade but that leaves 11 months and a LOT of legal shinning hours. Its also legal to shine your own property in November as long as you do not have a bow or firearm in your possesion. Perhaps this looks on paper like the DNR might respond but I can tell you the DNR in our area will positively NOT respond to a simple nuisance call like this. I doubt they will any where in the state. The police NEVER respond to issues controlled by the DNR. You may not have noticed but in MI we are seriously short of CO's due to budget cuts. We can not even get a CO to respond to reports of serious offenses let alone someone shinning. In either event there is a perfectly legal and logical time and reason to shine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif