Spotlighting Bucks @ night??

bowhunter223 · May 8, 2006

Hey all;
I read on the Paunsagaunt post that they were spotlighting bucks at night to locate them. Is this legal statewide? If not, why is it legal down there? For those of you who know, help me out on this one. I'd like to know the whole deal on spotlighting deer.....it says in the proc that it is illegal and that it's evidence that you're trying to poach.

outtabreath · May 8, 2006

I'm not sure about that area and the laws, BUT if you read the proclamations in New Mexico it says..."It is illegal to shine spotlights or other artificial lights into areas where big game or livestock might be, if (this is the important part) persons using the light have in possession any firearm or implement capable of killing big game or livestock".
So, it seems it is legal as long as you don't have a gun or bow in the vehicle. I also read the post about spotlighting and just always thought it was illegal, so I read the regs again. Guess I'm getting a spotlight. LOL

muleybull · May 8, 2006

Its legal here in Arizona as long as you do not have a weapon. Its a great way to locate deer. However even though I dont agree with it, its even legal to do it during season.

AZG&F is the downfall of hunting in Arizona!!!!!

Gator · May 8, 2006

It's legal in Utah as LONG AS YOU DON'T HAVE (ANYTHING)THAT CAN KILL (GUN PISTOL BOW SPEAR KNIFE ECT)it's also a good idea to let the local Gamewarden and countie mountie know that you are out there spotlighting so if the start getting call they will already know that what's going on.

AZbowhntr · May 10, 2006

I know it is legal to spotlight as long as you don't have a weapon in the vehicle in AZ like posted above. Hunting the Kiabab several years ago we decided to go down to the rim to have something decent to eat one night and unloaded all of the bows and anything else that might have been in the truck. And took the spotlight with us to see what hangs out in the park. I saw more 30" bucks that night then I have ever seen in my life. Didn't do us any good as far as hunting went but sure was awesome to see them all. And they didn't seem to mind at all. Just hung out feeding.

txhunter58 · May 10, 2006

I don't believe in "Spotlighting Bucks @ night". I do my spotlighting in the daytime!!!

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

huntsonora · May 10, 2006

We used to do this in TX, we would go out and varmint call with lights and run the lights between callings, we saw a ton of deer and called in a number of coyotes and game wardens.

DallanC · May 11, 2006

LAST EDITED ON May-11-06 AT 09:55AM (MST)[p]>It's legal in Utah as LONG
>AS YOU DON'T HAVE (ANYTHING)THAT
>CAN KILL (GUN PISTOL BOW
>SPEAR KNIFE ECT)it's also a
>good idea to let the
>local Gamewarden and countie mountie
>know that you are out
>there spotlighting so if the
>start getting call they will
>already know that what's going
>on.

There are places in Utah that it is legal to spotlight with a rifle... you just have to clear it with the county sherrif first.

-DallanC

bowhunter223 · May 11, 2006

Where at in Utah? I've heard that if you're on ranchland and have written permission from the landowner, it's OK to spotlight at night with a rifle in your posession. (i.e. If you're taking coyotes/foxes etc.) Anyone else here that?

And can the Warden REALLY do anything if you've met the "legal" criteria above?

Tuffbucker · May 11, 2006

A buddy of mine owns some land in central utah. Part of his property runs along a small town "highway". The night before deer season, we get a TON of people spotlighting his alfalfa fields.

A few years back we decided to have some fun. We sat out in the sgaebrush near the alfalfa fields. When the spotlighters would come, we would shine one of those red laser pointers at them. I dont know if they thought it was a laser sight from a rifle or what, but I have never seen so many people peel out of there as fast as they could.

TUFF

Triple_BB · May 13, 2006

We were out spot lighting jacks and varmints on my buddies ranch one night. It was dead calm and I'm sure you could hear our rifles all the way back to town. I woulda bet money a warden woulda been on us to check out the situation. We were out 3 - 4 hours and never saw any other headlights. Asked my buddy if he ever got a call from the warden or sheriff. He said no one called...

Gator · May 13, 2006

I do believe you CAN'T spotlight during "Deer season" with a Weapon in your Pickup,Not on private land or public,That was told to me by the local Game warden. But hey if it's ok in your neck of the woods go for it, just don't ask me for bail money. LOL