Why It Matters: Poaching – the illegal take of game – ranks among the greatest threats to the societal acceptance of hunting. Hunters are widely known as the original conservationists and are to thank for many of the legendary conservation success stories experienced in North America over the last century. Efforts to strengthen punishments for poachers would disincentivize bad actors from impeding science-based wildlife management, further protecting our time-honored traditions.
Highlights:
- In January, Tennessee Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus (Caucus) member Representative Caleb Hemmer and Senator Page Walley introduced House Bill 24 and Senate Bill 14 (HB 24/SB 14) which would increase various penalties and fines related to poaching.
- In April, HB 24/SB 14 was amended to only apply to instances if a person were to hunt, take, chase, trap or kill any wild animal, wild bird, wild fowl, or fish upon the land of another without first obtaining permission from the landowners.
- HB 24/SB 14 increased the penalty from a Class C to a Class B misdemeanor and set the fine to not exceed $500.
- HB 24/SB 14 was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly on April 22 and was signed into law by Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus member Governor Bill Lee on May 9.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) spearheaded a Coalition Letter of Support for HB 24/SB 14 alongside several partner organizations.
Through decades of hard work governed by principles based in science-based wildlife management, hunters enjoy robust game populations across the country. Regulations set by state fish and wildlife agencies aim to conserve game populations and depend on ethical hunters to do their part. Unfortunately, poachers stand in the way of the hard work of these dedicated individuals and are a serious threat to the game we all love to pursue and the societal acceptance of hunting.
Each state fish and wildlife agency works around the clock to combat poaching cases and deter unethical individuals from taking advantage of our public trust resources. Fines and penalties faced by those caught can vary drastically depending on the state. With HB 24/SB 14 now law, individuals caught engaging in the take of any wild animal, wild bird, wild fowl, or fish upon the land of another without first obtaining permission will face stiffer penalties and fines. The penalty has been increased from a Class C to a Class B misdemeanor and the fine will now be set not to exceed $500 if found guilty of poaching as described above.
This is a huge step in the right direction for Tennessee’s wildlife and the continuance and protection of our time-honored traditions. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation thanks Representative Hemmer, Senator Walley, and the Caucus for their leadership on spearheading this important issue. CSF would also like to thank the Boone and Crockett Club, Safari Club International, the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation for their strong partnership and work on the initiative.
