Hunting Interference

[lizziedog1]

The other day I was hunting in a BLM area on the edge of this small community near here. There are a few houses set right on the border of this public land.

The main road to access this area has a sign that says, "You Are Entering Public Land." The sign also has BLM's emblem on it, the upside down triangle. On the way out, there is a you are leaving public land sign.

Any way, I was a good hundred yards behind these houses, on public land trying to figure out which dirt road I was going to take. I heard some yeling and then I looked towards the houses. This guy was telling me that I wasn't allowed to hunt in that area. I replied saying that I believe I am on BLM property and therefore allowed to hunt. There are no signs to indicate otherwise. He then said he was going to call the sheriff. I said to go ahead and I'll even hang around to talk with the deputy.

Later that day I did talk to a deputy about the situation. He said that I was in the right and that this guy always hassles hunters. He must be a California transplant. If he don't like hunting, he should move back.

Then I went on line and researched Nevada hunting regulations. I found a state law that forbids anyone from interfering with someone that is legally hunting.

Next time he comes out yelling, I am going to call the law. I have a copy of the law protecting hunters from being hassled. When the sheriff arrives I'll turn the tables on this knucklehead.

 

[ultradoc]

good prep and good hunting.

 

[Sav .250]

Better yet get the ever popular ...Restraining order aginst that jerk!

 

[lizziedog1]

I live in a very rural, remote part of Western Nevada. I am a Golden State transplant. I not only have adopted and adapted to this way of life, I love it !

There a few other California transplants. They move here to escape the madness of California laws. Then they want to replicate California laws here.

What kind of freaking logic is that!

If you don't like shooting, guns, hunting, and a "real" western type lifestyle, stay where you are. You are more than welcomed to live here, but please leave your California goofiness there.

 

[Flintknapper]

Most (if not all) States have some form of Hunter Harassment laws.

In my State (Texas), it is in the form below:


The Sportsman’s Rights Act

Parks and Wildlife Code§ 62.0125. Harassment of Hunters, Trappers, and Fishermen.

(a) This section may be cited as the Sportsman’s Rights Act.

(b) In this section:

(1) “Wildlife” means all species of wild mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, or amphibians.

(2) “Process of hunting or catching” means any act directed at the lawful hunting or catching of wildlife, including camping or other acts preparatory to hunting or catching of wildlife that occur on land or water on which the affected person has the right or privilege of hunting or catching that wildlife.

(c) No person may intentionally interfere with another person lawfully engaged in the process of hunting or catching wildlife.

(d) No person may intentionally harass, drive, or disturb any wildlife for the purpose of disrupting a person lawfully engaged in the process of hunting or catching wildlife.

(e) No person may enter or remain on public land or enter or remain on private land without the landowner’s or his agent’s consent if the person intends to disrupt another person lawfully engaged in the process of hunting or catching wildlife.

(f) This section does not apply to a peace officer of this state, a law enforcement officer of the United States, a member of the armed forces of the United States or of this state, or employees of the department or other state or federal agencies having statutory responsibility to manage wildlife or land during the time that the officer is in the actual discharge of official duties.

(g) A person who violates this section commits an offense. An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.

(h) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution that the defendant’s conduct is protected by the right to freedom of speech under the constitution of this state or the United States.

§ 12.22. CLASS B MISDEMEANOR.
An individual adjudged guilty of a Class B misdemeanor shall be punished by:
(1) a fine not to exceed $2,000;
(2) confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days; or
(3) both such fine and confinement.
---------------------------------------------------

You would probably need a little more to go on than what you described in your last incident, but the laws are certainly there for your protection and in some States they are aggressively enforced.

 

[Steve H]

Not sure a bout Nevada but here in Utah you can hunt on BLM land but you must be at least 600 feet from a house.

 

[H&Hhunter]

There a few other California transplants. They move here to escape the madness of California laws. Then they want to replicate California laws here.

I grew up and lived in NM off and on until about ten years ago. I have watched this happen in real time. As a result Californians have become the most hated species in the inter mountain western states.

I've got tons of friends who are ex-Californians who moved out here because they enjoy the lifestyle and the culture. For the most part I think they get a bad rap from the vocal wacko minority as is usually the case with any and all generalizations about any group of folks.

My house is basically a natural history museum. I've got heads on the wall and cultural artifacts from all over the world from places I've worked and or hunted. I can't tell you how many folks have been initially repulsed only to later be turned on by the heads hanging from my walls.

One thing I have noticed is that many folks are simply repeating the party lines they've heard it so much they think they are supposed to be anti as it's perceived as cool. I've converted more than one "rabid" anti hunting anti gun Californian transplant with nothing more than a few range sessions and a day or two out in the field hunting. It's amazing what folks see when they actually pull their heads out of the sand and take a look around. It's pretty tough for any man and most women to spend two or three days elk hunting in the country I hunt in and not fall in love with the mountains, the hunt, the animals, and the heart and soul of what it is to hunt these majestic monarchs. And I have hadn't had one yet who complained that it was "to easy" as you hear all the time form the anti crowd. In fact most are crying uncle after the first morning. I LOVE to watch the light come on in these urban dwellers when they finally get in touch with their wild side and most folks don't have any clue as to how important being a wild man/woman is to your soul and spiritual health until you give them a nice long drink of that sweet nectar.

Then of course there are those that just need a good long butt whoopin.

 

[kanook]

if your phone can do video, record him bothering you.

 

[22-rimfire]

Out of curiosity, were you actually "hunting" or were in the process of going hunting?

Many people choose to live adjacent to public property as it sort of becomes their back yard and playground. Also they believe the likelihood of someone building behind them is much reduced and it is a big selling point for a property.

As was mentioned, many states have a minimum distance you can hunt near a building or stucture. 600 feet was mentioned above. I have also seen 300 feet. I would check Nevada regulations.

 

[MtnCreek]

Just to make sure, see if your County has an online GIS site and check the property you're hunting and the adjacent properties. I have some property bordered by Pisgah Nat Forest and I’ve had to run off several people hunting my property that thought (or claimed) they were on public land. If you haven’t already, I would just confirm I knew who’s property I was on.

 

[lizziedog1]

I talked to a deputy later that day. I described my location and he confirmed that I indeed was on public land.

My cousin lives near there. This guy's wife has come out and yelled at my cousin for hunting in that area.

Apparently they put out seed to feed the wild birds in the area.

Like I said before, they are probably tree-hugging, granola-munching, birkenstock-wearing, California hippie transplants.

I understand that some folks are not hunters and that some folks are down-right antihunters. But these folks have moved to wrong place if they are. I estimate that seven out of ten people around here hunt and or shoot as a hobby. The three that don't are either too old or too young to do so. Even our doctors and teachers here possess hunting licenses.

 

[Loosedhorse]

Like I said before, they are probably tree-hugging, granola-munching, birkenstock-wearing, California hippie transplants.

I don't mind any of that. But breaking the law is different.

As you say, next time he does it, you call the law. And follow-through: be interviewed, sign the complaint, etc.

Bring a vid cam hunting, if nothing else to protect you from a counter-attack: "And then he pointed his rifle right at me!" A guy who will break one law for "his cause" will likely be fine with breaking another.

 

[paintballdude902]

illegal the harass hunters in NC

 

[Double Naught Spy]

He must be a California transplant. If he don't like hunting, he should move back.

That must be right because there are no people in California that are pro gun or hunt and nobody else elsewhere in the country against hunting.

Californians aren't the only folks who move to Nevada.

 

[Art Eatman]

Save the California bashing for some other website, okay?

 

[d2wing]

In states I have hunted there are laws about how close you can be to buildings and livestock. I lost a good public hunting spot because some jerk built a house too near it.
People want to live "in the country" but not let it remain in the country. Why don't they just stay in the city? Swear words deleted.

 

[lizziedog1]

Yesterday afternoon, my cousin and her husband went hunting in the same area as mentioned above.

They spotted some chukar near the home of grouchy. They decided to walk around the birds to get them to flush away from his house and towards the hills. But as they were trying to get the birds to fly, they noticed something odd about them.

They were running, but even as they closed in on the birds, they seemd barely able to fly. When they did fly, it was in very short bursts. Also, they were not making any sounds at all.

They ended up bagging two birds and having that guy come out and yell at them. My cousin's husband wanted to go beat the guy up. Trust me, he is capable of doing so.

Shortly after getting the chukar, they cleaned them out ASAP. The birds' gizzards were packed solid with bird seed. The kind of wild bird seed that you can buy at any grocery store. Their gizzards were so full, that the poor things couldn't fly. Also, as they emptied seeds out, they were absolutely dry, they had consumed them maybe moments beofre they were shot.

I guess this goofball is feeding the birds. I wonder if he has any chukar in his freezer. Around here, baiting is a big no-no.

Today we are going to contact our local warden about this guy.

I do apologize about the California bashing. I do know that not all people from there are jerks. But, facts are facts. It does seem that folks from there seem to cause hassles more often then folks from elsewhere.

 

[MtnCreek]

Around here, feeding isn't illegal, but hunting over bait is. If this guy's feeding birds in his yard, probably nothing wrong with it (other than he's increasing hunting near his home and also increasing your chances of successfully taking game). I have no idea what the laws are, but is it possible that if you report his feeding, could you no longer be permitted to hunt within a certain distance from his feeders?

 

[JohnD13]

Believe it or not, here in NY it is illegal to interfere with a legal hunt. Fairly stiff fines in place for doing so.

 

[627PCFan]

Id skip the local police and go right for the game warden. They tend to be more viscious

 

[lizziedog1]

Id skip the local police and go right for the game warden. They tend to be more viscious

I left a message on our local warden's phone. I agree, Game Wardens can be more ruthless. The only problem is that they are spread thin, sometimes you'll get a quicker response from a deputy.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Hmmm, I wonder if this guy eats any meat!
If he does, then why shouldn't hunters be allowed to hunt for their own meat?

 

[lizziedog1]

I'll give this the benefit of the doubt. He might just be a bird lover and wants to feed the little guys. But, doens't he make them into eay targets?

A quarter mile behind his house are steep, rocky cliffs, the typical home for chukar. When they are up there, they are quite safe. If he stopped feeding the birds he cares so much about, less harm would come to them.

I wonder if we should send hima "thank you" card.

 

[627PCFan]

Just a thought. Several MD WMA's have no-fire zones on the land. No hunting allowed in those sectors. Might his property border a no-fire zone?

 

[MCgunner]

We keep our liberals pinned up in Travis County.