The person who fired illegally from a pickup truck into a field of goose decoys last month, killing a young hunter, doesn’t deserve to be called a hunter. He’s a poacher. A Topeka man was charged this week in the case, including for involuntary manslaughter, a felony.
This tragic story underscores the importance of observing game laws, which not only help preserve our state’s wildlife resources but also protect other hunters. Fortunately, the vast majority of hunters are safe afield and follow the law. As Eagle outdoors writer Michael Pearce recently observed, hunting is a safe sport. “Kansas sportsmen annually log more than 3 million days afield,†he wrote. “In that vast amount of time they average less than 20 nonfatal accidents and less than one fatality per year.â€
Those accidents are largely caused by people who don’t observe basic gun safety rules.
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22 Comments
If poachers received the same kind of public ridicule as drunk-driving, then we would have less of it. Perhaps a portion of the fault for this tragedy also lays at the feet of the companions of this hunter, who “went along for the ride” and failed to stop him from sticking his rifle out of the window on a public road, and firing. By the way, has it ever been described in the press who was driving this truck?
I made a mistake in my earlier post when I referred to Kent as a “hunter”. I apologize.
The problem is that, while most hunters do not poach themselves, they often stick up for their brethern that do. That needs to stop. It would be nice for a change if the hunters and organizations like the NRA would go the the judge and, instead of asking for a lenient sentence, would ask for the maximum.
The vast majority of hunters understand that guys like this give all hunters a bad name. Most don’t tolerate that kind of behavior.
And you won’t ever see the NRA stick up for someone like this. It’s contrary to everything they teach.
I’m of the impression that if part of his sentence were to take away his guns / rifles the NRA would stand up for him
ken
Don’t know much about the NRA do you. They push harder than just about anyone out there to make sure criminals can’t get guns. They only fight laws that make it harder for the law-abiding to get guns.
People’s level of ignorance never ceases to amaze me when they criticize the NRA without even knowing what they truly represent. The NRA is the most law abiding, non-violent, self-policing, freedom loving organization in existence. The NRA supports our Constitutional freedoms, defending them from all level of government interference in our lives. They are most vocal of course concerning the 2nd. Amendment, but defend all the others as well. The NRA believes in the people of this country and that they can and should rise to the level of the freedom we have been given by our Constitution, restricting and punishing only those that don’t live up to that responsibility, not law abiding citizens. They realize that our ‘government leaders’ are just people too, and are influenced and motivated by power and personal motives not in the best interest of the citizens of this country but for themselves in many situations.
Ninty percent of hunters in Kansas are road hunters. If you lived in the country, you’d know that. There is not a single road I walk where I couldn’t pick up 100 spent casings. I could clean them up and pick up as many the next week during pheasant season, and often, when there isn’t a season for anything.
I am in great doubt that 90 percent of licensed hunters in Kansas are road hunters. Most licensed hunters know the rules and obey them.
The irresponsible person who is unlicensed may stick his/her firearm out the window and shoot their gun. This same person is mostly likely reckless in other areas of their life as well.
NRA. Just like church. On paper, in its by-laws, in its principles, etc., there is not much to argue with. But, it is when human beings (males) represent these organizations that injustice, ignorance, misguided allegience, and misrepresentation unfold. The NRA is not much different than the Catholic Church. They wish you the best on paper but are always trying to stick something up your butt in reality.
Keep your cold hands off of me.
Sam say; The NRA is not much different than the Catholic Church. They wish you the best on paper but are always trying to stick something up your butt in reality.
Keep your cold hands off of me.
Something like what “up your butt” Sam?
Me thinks you are rather paranoid, or have some perverted wish there Sam.
Reggie,
When I lived in the country we were too busy ducking as the bullets came through the house to go out and check their licenses. We moved to northeast Wichita and felt ever so much safer!
Ninty percent of hunters in Kansas are road hunters. If you lived in the country, you’d know that. There is not a single road I walk where I couldn’t pick up 100 spent casings. I could clean them up and pick up as many the next week during pheasant season, and often, when there isn’t a season for anything.
No they are not. More like 1 to 5 percent tops.
AgHawk the paranoia level on here is the highest around. COMCARE needs to drop by and involuntarily commit every regular poster exhibiting violent behavior, at least 3/4 of the regular posters would be filling Good Shepherd and OSH. Threats of stalking, covert and overt threats of death and bodily harm, etc.
Several bloggers should consider PFA, RO, and criminal charges against several others. Plenty of evidence to support the charges.
For the anti hunters and anyone else wanting a fun game try the Deer Avenger series for PCs. You play a deer hunting rednecks.
I am not anti hunter. I have not hunted and do not wish too but I am a member of the NRA and support them 99% of the time. I just wish they would be a bit more moderate about who is able to have a gun. I understand that we face a group of people very determined to take away all of our rights to have a gun but total parinoia is not the way to answer that threat. It only makes the NRA look radical and unreasonable. This case represents a good opportunity for the NRA to take a strong public stand against poachers and they ought to do so.
I see way to many road hunters in a years time being that I live in the country and help farm about 15,000 acres spread over 25 miles of land. Its not uncommon to be in one of the fields working and seeing folks driving slowly drinking beer and hunting. Those are not hunters but Poachers.
Make an example of one or two of these highway hunters.
Take their vehicle, forbid them to drive or own a gun.
Hell, there’s nothing wrong with a little road hunting. It’s illegal, but who cares if you don’t get caught? You drive along, spot the bird, get out of the truck and pop it. I once had a dog trained to point and flush the ditches. The real fun is popping raptors from the car window. (One of the ninty percent.)
When you talk about poachers you aren’t talking about hunters the samevway that when you talk about bank robbers you aren’t talking about bankers.
Some good thoughts presented here concerning what stand people think the NRA should take regarding matters like this. I don’t think that the NRA should come to Kansas and get involved in this guy’s trial. But I do think that if this guy is convicted of a felony and happens to be an NRA member, the NRA should permanently revoke his membership. And, perhaps, felony convictions for poaching and other gun crimes should require revocation of membership. Perhaps we should all drop an e-mail to Mr. LaPeire and let him know our thoughts about this. (I am a life member of the NRA.)
War,
“When you talk about poachers you aren’t talking about hunters the samevway that when you talk about bank robbers you aren’t talking about bankers.”
As I pointed out earlier, such distinctions are meaningless as well as difficult to make under fire. Besides, I remember the savings and loan scandals quite well. It’s no trick to be both when it suits you.
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