KS: Hunting Violations Increase

November 25, 2009

Sheriff's Office: Hunting Violations Increase

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has seen an increase of hunting violations in the past couple weeks. The Office is warning hunters they will be charged for violations.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has seen an increase of hunting violations in the past couple weeks. According to the Kansas Wildlife and Parks this appears to be a trend that tends to peak this time of year statewide due to illegal deer hunting. One reason may be the current market value of the antlers as we seem to be finding headless carcasses being left behind.

Some violations that have been reported recently are Criminal Trespass, Criminal Hunting, Hunting from roadway and others.

The Sheriff's Office would like to remind the citizens of Jackson County their safety is its primary concern. Due to this, the Office strongly recommends that landowners do not approach or attempt to confront hunters. Remember if they are hunting they are armed.

In the past couple weeks, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office has had two separate incidents where the landowner has confronted individuals. In these two incidents one landowner had a gun pointed at him and had their vehicle struck by the hunter's vehicle. Another landowner was confronted and an individual was struck by a vehicle.

When a landowner suspects illegal hunting or somebody on their land without permission they should call 911 and allow law enforcement to confront the person(s). A detailed description of the person(s) and any vehicle is always helpful but the landowner should never put themselves at risk.

The Sheriff's Office would also like to remind hunters they need to ensure they have permission from a landowner to hunt the land whether it is posted or not. The landowners have trespass rights to the middle of the road along their property lines not just on the land. Failure to obtain permission could result in a misdemeanor charge of Criminal Trespass which could result in fines and jail time.

Other hunting violations may result in fines, jail time, the seizure of any and all equipment used in the illegal taking and or transportation of illegally taken wildlife and loss of hunting privileges. This means hunters may be subject to losing not only the illegally taken wildlife but their guns, traps, stands, ATVs and vehicles.

Hunters also need to be aware of their surroundings and what is beyond the shot fired. Houses in rural areas may not be seen from one side of a field or wooded area. It is still the hunter's responsibility to make sure what is beyond the target they are shooting at. They can and will be held civilly and/or criminally responsible for damages and injuries to residences and other person(s) and hunters.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office supports a person's privilege to hunt. The Office asks everyone to respect the landowners and their rights. Please be careful and have a successful season.

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