Deer Hunting Violations that Can Result in Firearm Confiscation and Worse

Hunting, especially deer hunting, is a way of life for many families who live in rural communities where game is not only plentiful, but that must be culled every season in order to maintain a healthy population (yes, in order for America’s deer population to survive and thrive a certain amount must be hunted and killed every year). Deer meat, or venison, is not only delicious; it can help feed families who are suffering under present day harsh economic conditions.

However, deer hunting is a sport that utilizes a firearm, and there are serious precautions and legal rules to abide by. Which is why if you’re caught doing something wrong in the eyes on the law, even if you are unknowingly infringing on legal mandates, you risk not only losing your hunting license but even your firearm.

If that happens you need to consult with weapons possession lawyer whose focus is not only on criminal defense but who is also an expert in the area of knives, firearms, and all weapons. The firm should also focus on hunting and fishing violations.

That said, with the hunting season coming up in just a few months, what are some of the deer hunting violations you should be aware of before taking that first step inside the dark woodlands?

According to a recent report, if you’re planning on an early morning hunt come this November, you need to review some of the most common hunting violations that environmental conservation officers will encounter every “firearm season.”

Most of these violations can be avoided with a little planning and research.

Improperly Filling Out a Tag or Using the Wrong Tag

Many conservation officers state that they all too often see the wrong kill tag on hunted game, such as turkey or fish licenses on deer. This is a simple mistake that’s occasionally made in the semi-darkness of the dawn. It can be corrected by re-tagging the dead deer once you realize your error.

Prior to field-dressing or moving the deer to your 4X4, the kill tags should be filled out along with the month and the date the deer was taken. You need to include the deer’s gender and the number of antler points. The tag should then be properly placed on the dead deer.

Failure to Wear Blaze Orange

Hunters will often remove their protective blaze orange clothing once they set up in a blind or a tree stand. In all the excitement of shooting their deer, they forget to put the orange clothing back on.

Say the experts, it’s important to wear hunter blaze orange to keep those around you and yourself safe. By law, hunters are required to wear hunter orange as the outer most layer of their clothing, including vests, hats, and gloves. In fact, it’s recommended you wear as much of it as possible to increase your visibility to other hunters.

Be aware the color orange will have no effect on a deer’s natural behavior.

Not Being Familiar with Your Firearm

Lever action, bolt-action, semi-automatic, and pump action firearms are the most common choice among hunters. Each firearm functions differently which means you need to familiarize yourself with your firearm of choice prior to the hunt. Safely handling your weapon is one of the most important responsibility a hunter can assume.   

Safety Zone Violations

Experts attest that every year, conservation officers find themselves investigating property damage that’s caused by firearms. Because rifle rounds will travel long distances, hunters must be aware of where their live bullets are going to end up.

You should be familiar with the area you are hunting. This includes nearby properties and buildings. By law, no one is allowed to hunt with a rifle within 450 feet of a structure that’s occupied including cabins, homes, barns, and farmyard structures. You can however hunt these areas if you have the landowner’s permission.   

Trespassing

If the deer you are hunting down runs onto a private property, you are not allowed to retrieve it without the landowner’s permission. This goes for deer that have been shot but are still alive. Conservation officers will more than likely be contacted when a trespass disagreement becomes a problem and a resolution is not reached by either party. If firearms are involved, disputes can become deadly.

The solution is to always be respectful of landowner’s rights and of conspicuously posted trespassing signage. If you are planning on hunting near or around someone else’s private property, make contact with him or her ahead of the hunt. Do not wait until you are actually tracking the deer.

A friendly phone call or even a short visit to your neighbor will often provide a solution to the problem. If you bag your deer, you might want to share the venison with the landowner as a good will gesture.