3 Reasons For Increased Response Calls to Predator Hunters
1. The rising trend of urban natives buying rural land.
2. An increase in cell phones and better service in rural areas. Allows for immediate calls to the authorities to investigate suspicious activities.
3. Increased popularity of predator hunting increases the amount of hunters that can have run-ins with uneducated landowners and citizens.
Hunter Strategies
— Here are some strategies and practices that all law-abiding hunters can use to achieve their goal of an uninterrupted hunting trip.
Parking while hunting
Whenever possible, park in a landowner’s driveway or parking lot. A vehicle parked on the roadside is an instant signal to police that something could be wrong.
Blood on vehicle
Be careful of any blood from a predator that might be on or around your vehicle. A responding officer doesn’t know that the blood he sees on your bumper is from a coyote inside the trunk. He will assume the worst and raise suspicion tenfold.
Hunting around homes
Be sure to stay the required distance away as mandated by state law.
Educate the neighbors
Let them hear a sample of the sounds that you use. By doing so, you are acquainting them to the “strange sounds” that they may hear in the night.
Getting Stopped by the Cops
Carry Hunting Permission
You can obtain official landowner consent forms through many state game departments. If not, you can find samples of such forms on the Internet.
Always include your cell phone number and a number to the landowner. The officer might need to contact you immediately to clear up a problem.
Be Courteous to All Officers
Hunters must realize that when law officials first receive a call or drive up to your truck, they do not know the circumstance of what is happening. All they know is that there is a suspicious vehicle in the area, and often, that a gun is more than likely present.
REMEMBER: Never be aggressive, belligerent, or argumentative.
Handling Your Firearm Around Law Officials
Remember that when an officer approaches you it’s dark, isolated and more than likely you will have a weapon. Those circumstances will put anyone on high-alert.
Always watch your muzzle. Sling your firearm or store it in your truck.
