Sponsor says new trespass penalty aimed at 'bad actors'; Fish, Wildlife & Parks backs bill to protect private land

Summary

House Bill 354 would add criminal trespass consequences and potential license revocation for knowingly trespassing to collect shed antlers; Fish, Wildlife & Parks law enforcement and multiple agricultural, conservation and outfitter groups testified in support citing growing problems and low current penalties.

Representative Jill Cohenour, sponsor of House Bill 354, told the Senate Fish and Game Committee that the bill would allow revocation of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for individuals convicted of knowingly trespassing to collect shed antlers or horns on private property or on lands where prohibitions are posted.

“...this language ... is so that any property regardless of ownership,” Cohenour said, explaining the bill’s change to apply revocation language beyond Fish, Wildlife and Parks lands to private property and other posted lands. She described the problem as a targeting of “bad actors” who repeatedly cross posted or otherwise restricted property to collect antlers and said the measure sets a high bar for enforcement because the state must prove the person “knew” the entry was unlawful.

Ron Howell, chief of law enforcement for…

Sponsor says new trespass penalty aimed at 'bad actors'; Fish, Wildlife & Parks backs bill to protect private land

Summary

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