Road Hunting

The regular firearms deer season in Pennsylvania opened on Monday November 30th. As a Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer I am sometimes torn between trying to take my oldest daughter hunting, who has yet to get her first deer, and trying to get out and patrol for violations. On of the most problematic violations is ROAD HUNTING. Some people get tired of setting on stand and just start riding around looking for deer from the road. This is illegal in Pennsylvania.

The deer in the picture below is just a dream come true for someone road hunting. Or is it really. This particular deer is a decoy used by conservation officers to attempt to deter road hunting. The deer is used only after we get written complaints from citizens about road hunting. Then it is placed in that area and officers wait for road hunters to shoot it. Shooting is done anywhere from stepping out of the vehicle and shooting from the road or over the top of the vehicle, to sticking the gun right out the window and shooting



Today we were able to apprehend 3 different individuals road hunting. Below is a shot of Conservation Officers making an apprehension. Each violator is issued a non traffic citation and sent on their way. Fines can range anywhere from $75.00 - $500.00 depending on the individual circumstances.




For thoes hunters who hunt in an ethical manner my hat is off to you. For the road hunter, beware of a deer that looks too good to be true, because it probably is.