We are definitely a nation of laws. Good intentions aside, some of these laws — especially those aimed at protecting our wildlife resources — get muddied with unnecessary (and I’d argue wrong) addendums.
Here are just two examples of well-intentioned wildlife laws that, although rooted in good intentions, send mixed messages. Both came to light about four years ago. They both involve East Coast states that made the news by using legislation to address problems associated with their white-tailed deer resources.
Coyote Bounty in South Carolina
First, South Carolina boldly advanced legislation that would place a no-holds-barred bounty on coyotes. Tree huggers began screaming while true conservationists began applauding. What this boils down to is a state taking responsibility for a non-native invasive species. First, a few facts, according to the trained biologists within the SCDNR: The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has never released coyotes into the state for any reason, including deer management.
WATCH: REALLY RIDICULOUS DEER LAWS
Coyotes first appeared in the upstate region in 1978, and are now present in all South Carolina counties. Coyotes were illegally imported into South Carolina for hound running. SCDNR and Federal law enforcement has and will continue to prosecute for this activity. Eastern migration of coyotes has resulted in the natural expansion of the species in South Carolina. As evidenced in other states with long established coyote populations, expanding coyote populations are likely to impact local deer and small game populations. However, over time coyote populations are expected to stabilize, allowing deer, turkeys and small game to continue to exist in healthy numbers in South Carolina.
With all of that in mind, the S.C. House approved a coyote-bounty program as part of the state budget. The bounty program made hunters eligible for at least a $1,000 reward if they killed a tagged coyote. The goal was to provide a real and tangible incentive for trappers and predator hunters to up their efforts in helping that state manage its wildlife population goals.
The experiment netted mixed results, but as of last year, the state was still working on legislation that would provide a $75 bounty on coyotes across the state. “We must do something,” said one legislator. “They are eating our cats and dogs.” This is not to mention the devastating effects that coyotes have on whitetail fawn survival in South Carolina.
WATCH: SHOULD SOME LAWS BE RELAXED?
Big Bucks for Big Bucks in Maryland
Another piece of legislation was passed in Maryland that addresses deer poachers. This proposal increased deer-poaching maximum penalties to $10,000 and 80 hours of community service — if the poached deer is a buck with antlers grossing more than 150 inches. A “lesser” buck (or a doe, for that matter) will only cost the poacher $2,000 to $5,000 (depending on size), and 80 hours of community service.
In 2017, two 21-year-old men were the first to be prosecuted and sentenced under the new law. The men were convicted of jacklighting a buck (I’d estimate its rack was about 125 inches), hunting deer at night, hunting deer from a vehicle, hunting deer during a closed season, and having a loaded weapon in a vehicle. Judge Melvin J. Jews ordered each man to pay $2,000 in restitution to the state’s Wildlife Management and Protection Fund under the terms of the Poaching Restitution Act of 2016. Each man also were ordered to perform 80 hours of community service.
According to the state’s new law, a buck with antlers scoring more than 150 points requires restitution of $5,000 to $10,000 and 80 hours of community service. A deer without antlers requires restitution of $300 to $500 and 40 hours of community service.
My Take
Kudos to Maryland for putting its collective foot down on deer poachers. But drawing a line on which deer is more valuable sends a horrible message to the non-hunting public that it’s all about the antlers.
Poaching is poaching. And a whitetail is a whitetail. In my view, there should be no differentiation when it comes to game laws.
What are your thoughts? Let me know HERE.