Hi, guys and gals...I have a problem with illegal hunters.

I have no issues of any kind with hunting. I enjoy good venison when it's given to me, and deer sausage, when it's made right, is simply delicious.

I've defended hunters who have been attacked by the most radical animal rights activists here. As long as people hunt on property where they have permission, it's fine by me.

I have fifty acres. My front field borders a highway, and the drive enters from the highway. I live almost a half-mile off the highway in a cabin nestled in the woods--until you get past the field and into the woods, you would not know that there is a home back here.

I am having a problem with hunters coming off of the highway, circling my front field and spotlighting. They wait until 2AM to do this. I don't know what to do about it. If they were to shoot at a deer in the field, easily the slug could hit my house, my car, or other belongings I have outside. Oh, and I have a weimaraner that I worry about, too.

I know about the illegal hunters because a neighbor who lives up the road on property bordering my front field tells me about them AFTER the fact. She sees them entering and spotlighting, and then leaving.

So far, they haven't shot at anything yet, but I think this is just because they haven't found the deer yet. The deer cross the front field, the woods, and pretty much stay in the back field--the hunters would have to ride past my home to get to the back field--I pity them if they EVER do this. I will block them in, and call the sheriff.

So, what can I do, short of calling the game warden AFTER the fact to report this? I told my neighbor to call me immediately next tims she sees them going in. Do I have to have a POSTED: NO HUNTING sign up to prohibit them for hunting, or is it just understood that you don't go on other people's property without permission and spotlight for deer?

Any advice you can give is appreciated. Thanks!

Also post no trespassing signs and no hunting signs. As long as it is your property you could place some nails to make some flat tires. That is what I would do. Tell the game warden to stake it out.

Laws vary from state to state.

For instance in my state it is illegal to "deliberately uses an artificial light during the period from September 1 through December 31 to illuminate, jack, locate or attempt to locate wild birds or wild animals." Note this is just to illuminate...wild animals." Actually shooting a deer that has been illuminated is a whole 'nuther ball a wax, as we say around here.

Regarding posting your property: You have to post the entire perimeter of your property in my state. Signs have to be no more than X number of feet apart (I can't remember how many offhand) and the signs have to have the land owners name and address on them.

So as I said check with your state fish and game department. If this is happening on a regular basis the game wardens might lie in wait and they will be HAPPY to come arrest these guys since it is likely that they are breaking any number of laws.

On exception to all that I just typed would be predator or varmint hunting. Many states allow coyote, fox and raccoon hunting after dark with lights. So, again, check with your state fish and game.

I am no poacher. I grew up with a very responsible father who taught me a lot about being an outdoorsman, not just a hunter. I have never shot an animal out of season or illegally.

That said, from time to time I do go spotlight deer down at some local state parks. I have no gun in the car (that would be reeeeal stupid) and have no intention of taking any game illegally, but to me its fun to see just how many are out at night.

I see between 70-150 deer at night when I go, and that is in an area that they seem to vanish from whenever I am hunting there (gotta LOVE whitetails!). To me its a fun way to cure insomnia.

I sure hope it isnt illegal in Iowa...but I will check it out.

And just for the record - I dont shine ANY property that isnt state or county land!

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to shine deer in Michigan too. I remember my dad doing it all the time when we were kids. It might have been legal at that time. We'd be driving along a country highway, and dad knew exactly where to pull over and fire up his spot light. Sometimes we'd see deer by the dozens. I'm not sure if it's only illegal to shine them during the hunting season, or year round.

Call the game warden immediately.

Many hunters simply assume that a property is huntable if it isn't explicitly posted as off-limits. Personally, I'd recommend a gate or chain across your roadway as well.

property for any reason without my permission.

Just because it's hunting season doesn't mean that my land suddenly becomes public property.

I am not angry at you...hope I don't come across that way. I am pissed that these people have no fucking manners.

"Just because it's hunting season doesn't mean that my land suddenly becomes public property."

It does in NH. Or any other time for that matter.

If your land is not posted it is open to the public. As a land owner you may own the land, but the animals on it are a public resource. That, at least is how it is run in NH. The laws on these issues vary considerably from state to state.

The law here in California is that if the land isn't fenced, posted, or cultivated, you can hunt it. Of course, any decent hunter would ask permission anyway.

It is illegal to use an artificial light to attract...game except the fixed headlamps on a motor vehicle. Having an uncased firearm in the vehicle after dark is illegal. Shooting at an animal betwwen 1/2 hour after and 1/2 hour before sunset/sunrise is illegal. I am sure a creative Conservation Officer would come up with more.

If it is a big problem and you have a LEO friend, maybe they could put up a decoy and get a few poachers. Word should travel quickly.

So that when they sweep their spotlight around, they will think they are catching the reflectorized badge on the side of the sheriff's car. Betcha' they will leave immediately. Maybe you could get a junk car and paint it up like law enforcement vehicle. (just what you want, a junk car in your yard).:evilgrin:

and place it so that when the poachers spot it and start shooting at it (they WILL), they will be shooting AWAY from your home. When you hear them shoot, a couple of warning shots fired up in the air from a shotgun should get your point across.

1.What goes up comes down...

2.Open yourself to charges of reckless endangerment or worse...

Better, get a plate number.

shotgun pellets are easy to control. They'll never come back either.

Asssault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm w/i 500' of a residence...

Never shoot a gun unless you know where the lead is going to end up.

They better be justified to use lethal force, because I will make a criminal complaint for ADW. Placing me in reasonable fear of harm and all.

But then that's just the DNR COs and the State Police around here. They frown on warning shots that may be misinterpreted.

have hotlines you can call to report poachers or anyone violating hunting and fishing regulations.

Nothing like going for a hike on your own property and finding whole deer carcasses tossed aside with nothing but the racks sawed off, or finding the pair of Great Horned Owls who graced and nested on their property blown to smithereens by a kid just trying out the new shotgun his Dad got him for Xmas.

Until responsible fellow hunters start policing their own and turning in some of these fools it will never end. My family finally gave up. Call that cynical, but it's near nigh impossible to keep up with poachers. Good stewardship of the land is everyone's responsibility, hunters and non-hunters alike. And kids shouldn't have guns until and unless they are also taught the responsibilities involved with owning one, including some respect for nature and all its creatures.

I have not had such experience myself, but I am not surprised. I do recall armed men walking into our backyard when I was young, kicking over brush and looking to shoot what ran out. That was 300 feet from my bedroom.