Couple Gets Probation for Disrupting Deer Hunt

[cambygsp]

www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=3642283&nav=0RYbcaQZ

(Portage, Ind.-AP) A northern Indiana couple who disrupted a deer hunt in 2001 by honking their car's horn won't face jail time for intimidation and harassment of hunters. Yesterday, a judge sentenced Frederick and Roseanne Shuger to probation and community service for scaring away deer that were being hunted around the town of Beverly Shores -- an upscale Lake Michigan community. The couple was convicted last week on two counts each of hunter harassment, while Frederick Shuger was also found guilty of intimidation. Prosecutors said the Shugers drove near hunting sites in the town with their barking dog and honked their horn, scaring away deer. One hunter said Frederick Shuger verbally assaulted him. The couple was convicted under a state law that forbids the disruption of legal game hunting.

[Woody Williams]

Sounds like a teensy tiny little tap on the wrist to me..

I'm sure that they are the darlings of the ARF set now..

[kevin1]

Since both of them were most likely convicted as first offenders the sentence is entirely appropriate , though I do hope those two will be smarter than to do it again . Unfortunately , the heart is sometimes a poor substitute for brains ...

[jkd]

Yeah, I would have liked to see a fine tossed in there too...

Maybe their community service will be replanting trees and shrubs at Dunes Park that have been eaten by the overpopulated deer herd...

When DAC took a tour up there in like '99 or 2000, the park looked like someone had taken a weedeater across it... no understory growth and browse line up about 6-7'...

KD

[kevin1]

jkd said:

Yeah, I would have liked to see a fine tossed in there too...

Maybe their community service will be replanting trees and shrubs at Dunes Park that have been eaten by the overpopulated deer herd...

When DAC took a tour up there in like '99 or 2000, the park looked like someone had taken a weedeater across it... no understory growth and browse line up about 6-7'...

KD

I agree that at least a token fine should have been imposed , but that would be unusual for first offenders for this class of violation . They got publicly spanked , and they're probably simmering in their own juices . My biggest hope is that they don't go off the deep end and become antis . Unfortunately , they probably will simply because they feel strongly , and they lost . The best we can hope for is that someone like us will gain their trust and open their eyes a little . Gently educating folks is surprisingly effective .

[John]

Hey guys:

You oatta try where I am. There is lots and lots of Deer. Not very much land to hunt, unless you own it. And then every hunter will try to tresspass. When you do find a spot on public lands, forget it . Every one in the city will be out there with their Dogs and Kids and ATV at the exact time you go to hunt. And they don't care if your in a stand. They just wave as they go by. Even on the private property I hunt of my cousin, who is a Regional Cop, Tresspassers will gladly go out in the bush during hunting times and seasons. Sometimes I wonder how I get Deer after all that. But there is so many, sooner or later I do.

john

[kevin1]

john said:

Hey guys:

You oatta try where I am. There is lots and lots of Deer. Not very much land to hunt, unless you own it. And then every hunter will try to trespass. When you do find a spot on public lands, forget it . Every one in the city will be out there with their Dogs and Kids and ATV at the exact time you go to hunt. And they don't care if your in a stand. They just wave as they go by. Even on the private property I hunt of my cousin, who is a Regional Cop, Trespassers will gladly go out in the bush during hunting times and seasons. Sometimes I wonder how I get Deer after all that. But there is so many, sooner or later I do.

john

Sounds like your cousin needs to make an example out of a few of those trespassers , that usually steers the other would be offenders away . Someone who trespasses to hunt isn't really a hunter , they're a poacher and should be treated as such .

[John]

kevin1:

The area whre I hunt is very populated, however there is lots of farms. All the farmers post no tresspassing signs, all the private home owners post no tresspass signs, yet more and more hunters take the hunter ed. course and less and less areas are available unless you have a property with permission. Problem is that when you go out to hunt these bush lots they all seem to back onto someone else's property. So when you see someone and give them a warning, they say they have permission from the property owner at the other side, and came over by mistake. To patrol the property 24/7 is not an option. A repeat offender my cousin can charge if he can catch them. But 6 more will come in the next week. This is problematic in a "City/farm community" heavy pop. area. You will find that your efforts will be ongoing and tiresome. At my stand area on my cousins property, I spend the first week checking and warning , and making sure that at least around my stand I can hunt in reasonable peace. This can usually result in a couple of Deer. After that I am out of there and who knows what is happening.

john

[retnuhreed]

How about for a punishment, they have to assist dnr officers with check station age studies.

[bigugly]

A few years back a gang of guys I was hunting with had same kind of problem but it worked in our favour and we got the last laugh. I was pushing a small swamp that had a dirt road going through the middle. Everytime we would hunt it a couple that lived up the street would start driving up and down the section of road honking their horn. As I was pushing I jumped a good buck. It took off directly to the road. As I was only about twenty yards from the road I had no shot. Just as he got to the road the couple started honking. The buck changed direction went about 150 yards and got hit by a 12 gauge slug. 10 point buck dressed out at 245 pounds on a set of scales. Guys I where hunting with got a good laugh when I told them the story. This is what I call a very sucessful drive.

[John]

Thanks bigugly:

I love stories with happy endings! Sounds like a champion Buck to me.
Then after you could of thanked the couple for being so nice.

Wellcome on!

john