Ask the Conservation Officer (CO)

by Gary Hompland, Regional Conservation Officer Question: "I was goose hunting over decoys last weekend near Hansen. While we had stepped out of our blind in the decoys to take a break, a driver in truck on the county road fired a high powered rifle shot into our decoys, thinking they were real geese. The potential for death or serious injury to me, my children and grandchildren scared me beyond belief and now infuriates me! Is there any thing I could or should do to prevent this?" Answer: What you have described involves numerous misdemeanors and possible felonies. A rifle is an unlawful weapon for hunting migratory birds, shooting from the roadway is unlawful, shooting onto private property is a hunting trespass, and use of a motorized vehicle to hunt is also unlawful. In addition, death as a result of the reckless discharge of a firearm could be involuntary manslaughter. The shooter would also be liable for any injuries or damages. From our conversation, the vehicle description (red Chevy S-10 extended cab pickup, with two occupants and a yellow lab and a black lab in the bed) may be helpful in helping the public provide suspect information. This incident occurred at about 4 p.m. at the intersection of 3200N and 4100E Hansen - about 4 miles west of Murtaugh Lake. Not only is this activity a violation of Idaho law, it's a classic case of a reckless decision that could have had grave consequences. From the potential consequences it's obvious this person did not think about what could have happened. Below is a case in point: About a year ago in Kansas, a young man came home at Christmas break from his freshman year at college. As soon as he walked through the door he greeted his mother, dropped his clothes on the floor of his old bedroom, and grabbed his hunting stuff. He kissed his mom and said, "I'll be back in a couple hours, I'm going goose hunting with Steve and Bill." While he was lying in the decoy spread, someone driving along the county road shot a high powered rifle into the decoys, thinking they were geese. The young man died. All the laws in Kansas could not save this young man. Today his father doesn't think ill about hunters or hunting because he said, "The man that shot my son was not a hunter." Additional laws in Idaho would not prevent someone from violating the law or exercising bad judgment. Rifles are not authorized for the hunting of any migratory birds for this very reason. Hopefully this column will spread the word and discourage someone from ever shooting into a flock of geese with a rifle again. In the situation near Hansen, the hunters and their hunting dogs were fortunate they were not injured or killed. If anyone has any knowledge about this incident or the suspects involved please contact me at the address or telephone number below. If you have any further questions you may call the Magic Valley Regional Office of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at 208-324-4350 or e-mail us at the Fish and Game web site at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.