One of the things I wanted to do when I became an officer is to build understanding between law enforcement and our members. I planned to write an article in our newsletter but I am not sure when one will be sent out. (hopefully soon...) I figured using our web-site is the next best thing until a newsletter is published and sent to our entire membership.
I have shared the information below with the some law enforcement agencies in my area (SE region) such as the local State Police Troop. I don't know if I included everything I should have or if I did it all right but I gave it my best shot. Below is what I came up with in case anyone sees the benefit of being willing to share it with the law enforcement agency / agencies where you hunt.
Trooper XYZ,
Thank you for speaking with me on the telephone today. As we agreed, I am sending you information to share with the XXX Troop XX of the Pennsylvania State Police. Please feel free to also share this with anyone else affiliated with law enforcement in Pennsylvania. I feel it would be productive for every law enforcement officer in Pennsylvania to have this information if they work on any portion of the night shift.
I am willing to come in and address the local Troop Officers during "roll call", Harrisburg Office, or other law enforcement agencies to explain encounters with predator hunting and answer any questions regarding predator hunting.
Predator hunting serves as a valuable free service to society. Coyote frequently kill dogs and cats and fox can spread mange and rabbies if not controlled by hunting and trapping.
The purpose of my outreach to law enforcement is to help officers to understand predator hunting. I feel this benefits both law enforcement and predator hunters.
Presently, I serve as Director of SE Pennsylvania Predator Hunters Association. We are a statewide organization of predator hunters that seeks to promote and preserve safe and responsible predator hunting in Pennsylvania. You can find more information about us on the web if you are interested.
http://www.ppha.us/ Listed below is some information that I feel may be helpful to your officers. I myself have encountered troopers twice while out predator hunting and my experience was good. I have been made aware of a few situations with regional police that did not turn out as well as my own. While the below items cover all of the predator hunters I know, there may be an exception to the items I have listed as predator hunters all have individual nuances.
1.) It is legal in Pennsylvania to predator hunt at night with a gun mounted light attached
to a gun. 99.9% of the time this light will project red light. Canine species (fox/coyote)
are less sensitive to the color red. I have heard of predator hunters using green or
white lights but I have never hunted with anyone who has used anything but a red gun
mounted light. Frequently these lights are attached to the top of the scope on a rifle, on
the barrel of a shotgun, or on a tripod used for shooting. I would be willing to show
the troopers my gear if helpful.
2.) A secondary red light is used to scan the area being hunted (field/woods) in order to
detect the eye reflection of an incoming predator. The predator hunter sweeps this light
back and fourth across the area to detect any incoming predators. Some predator
hunters use hand held flashlights with the red beam while others use headlights with the
red beam.
3.) Predators may be hunted any hour of the day or night (with some daytime hunting
restrictions during rifle deer season.) Many predator hunters, myself included, often
hunt the entire night.
4.) Predator season for fox and raccoon typically runs from late October to mid to late
February. Some predators such as fox may be hunted on Sunday.
5.) Coyote may be hunted 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. However, most hunt them
during the winter months when their fur is prime.
6.) If someone reports to be predator hunting, they should have either an electronic or a
hand call with them. Some of these make sounds of the actual predators themselves
such as coyote howls, etc. However, more common is for call to be used that imitate a
screaming prey animal being killed by a predator. The calling can be very loud. I have
heard some refer to it as sounding like a baby was crying or a person screaming.
However, it does not sound that way to me. If you ever heard a rabbit being killed at
night screaming...that is the typical sound produced.
7.) It is suggested to our members to put a sign in their window stating that they are
predator hunting. However, many individuals do not always do this as they travel from
location to location throughout the night. You may also notice a window decal many
members display that simply states, "Pennsylvania Predator Hunters Association."
I am sure that I probably did not think of everything to cover. However, I feel this information will be very helpful to prevent any confusion or misunderstandings related to predator hunting in Pennsylvania. If I can be of any assistance or you have further questions, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Michael Huff <paghuff@gmail.com>
