Hunters: Respect landowner?s private property
Guest opinion by ROB MORRIS
Rob Morris is a senior conservation officer for Idaho Fish and Game.
Fall is in the air and with it comes the beginning of a new hunting season. Big game archery seasons are already open and the rifle hunt openers are right around the corner. As a conservation officer I would like to take this opportunity to discuss one of the most common violations we encounter during this time of the year.
Every year it seems as though we spend more and more time investigating trespass violations. Hunters, knowingly or not, sometimes end up hunting or killing an animal on a landowner?s property where they did not have permission to be. Hopefully I can shed some light on what the law requires of both the landowner and hunter in an attempt to prevent such violations from occurring.
Idaho Code 36-1603 in part states:
No person may enter private land to hunt, fish or trap without permission if the land is either cultivated or posted with legible ?No Trespassing? signs or enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. Proper posting means either signs, 100 square inches of fluorescent orange paint, or an entire fluorescent orange metal fence post every 660 feet around the property and at reasonable access points. It is unlawful for anyone to post public land that is not held under an exclusive control lease. Conviction of trespass on posted private property carries a mandatory one-year revocation of hunting/fishing/trapping licenses.
An important point to note is that ?cultivated? means soil that is being or has been prepared by loosening or breaking up for the raising of crops, or used for the raising of crops, or artificially irrigated pasturage. Again, this land does not have to be posted, as it is easily recognizable as being privately owned. A hunter does not have the right to retrieve an animal from private property without permission.
Periodically I hear complaints from the public that they witnessed a wildlife violation or know of a certain person that ?poaches? every year and nothing is ever done to catch these people. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game currently has fewer than 100 conservation officers to patrol the entire state. This shows that we are spread very thin and ask that the public get involved in reporting violations they witness. There are several avenues the public can use to pass along this information. The department has set up a program called Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) where the public can call a toll free number (1-800-632-5999) to report poaching incidents. The caller can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward if the information leads to a successful prosecution. The Department of Fish and Game regional office in Jerome (208) 324-4350 and Blaine County Sheriff (208) 788-5555 will also take information that the public may have and forward it to the local conservation officer. It is very important that the information is reported immediately. Cell phones provide that opportunity.
Respecting landowner?s private property and reporting violations will help hunters build a reputation as being an ethical group of outdoorsmen and women. Remember, the wildlife of Idaho belongs to all of its citizens.
