night hunting

[Mdunntn]

C'mon now. People actually build "Zombie Guns". This thing would go great on a Zombie killing machine.

Those things are so huge I wouldn't dare put in an ar or ak lol.

[memphismason]

Those things are so huge I wouldn't dare put in an ar or ak lol.

LOL. I know what you mean.

[ShaunM]

Guntroll I actually meant to put in there on private and permission private land as I have several properties where the owners would love for me to come out at night and hunt them.

[Guest BigJ45]

You cannot use a spotlight or any light to find deer. This is from the TWRA website: It is unlawful for any person, or one or more of a group of persons together, to willfully throw or cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light in an apparent attempt or intent to locate deer by the use of such light.

I would think if you bring a squeaking toy in the woods after dark in an attempt to call in predators then I would think it would be consider a call. Besides you cannot hunt at night any way.

Read the rules again all those things you mentioned are covered, you just have to look for them.

My point is that the rules say you can't use a spotlight to locate deer. It doesn't say you can't locate coyotes with a spotlight. It also says you can't possess a centerfire while hunting between sunset and sunrise so doesn't that mean I can have a rimfire? And saying you can't possess a predator call after dark is just ignorant, I have called in lots of predators by squeaking against the back of my hand. It also states you can't use a electronic call for foxes but you can for coyotes, so if I am hunting with a electronic call and a fox comes in I can't shoot it but a coyote is ok, use a mouth call and both are ok. Most states allow night hunting for predators but Tn is too afraid someone will shoot deer in the dark. Other states seem to cope ok with people out with guns, lights, and calls in the dark why can't ours? No I don't need to read the regs again I have read them thousands of times in detail for the last 25 years and know it better than most game wardens. Until Tn gets better laws I will spend my money going to other states and buying non resident licenses to hunt predators in the dark every year.

[Mdunntn]

My point is that the rules say you can't use a spotlight to locate deer. It doesn't say you can't locate coyotes with a spotlight. It also says you can't possess a centerfire while hunting between sunset and sunrise so doesn't that mean I can have a rimfire? And saying you can't possess a predator call after dark is just ignorant, I have called in lots of predators by squeaking against the back of my hand. It also states you can't use a electronic call for foxes but you can for coyotes, so if I am hunting with a electronic call and a fox comes in I can't shoot it but a coyote is ok, use a mouth call and both are ok. Most states allow night hunting for predators but Tn is too afraid someone will shoot deer in the dark. Other states seem to cope ok with people out with guns, lights, and calls in the dark why can't ours? No I don't need to read the regs again I have read them thousands of times in detail for the last 25 years and know it better than most game wardens. Until Tn gets better laws I will spend my money going to other states and buying non resident licenses to hunt predators in the dark every year.

Yeah but if your spotlighting coyotes then it's during a period of time your not supposed to be hunting them. So it would be illegal regardless.

[ShaunM]

My point is that the rules say you can't use a spotlight to locate deer. It doesn't say you can't locate coyotes with a spotlight. It also says you can't possess a centerfire while hunting between sunset and sunrise so doesn't that mean I can have a rimfire? And saying you can't possess a predator call after dark is just ignorant, I have called in lots of predators by squeaking against the back of my hand. It also states you can't use a electronic call for foxes but you can for coyotes, so if I am hunting with a electronic call and a fox comes in I can't shoot it but a coyote is ok, use a mouth call and both are ok. Most states allow night hunting for predators but Tn is too afraid someone will shoot deer in the dark. Other states seem to cope ok with people out with guns, lights, and calls in the dark why can't ours? No I don't need to read the regs again I have read them thousands of times in detail for the last 25 years and know it better than most game wardens. Until Tn gets better laws I will spend my money going to other states and buying non resident licenses to hunt predators in the dark every year.

I can understand where your coming from but getting upset will not help the issue. If we are going to have a fighting chance to make some changes it will need to be addressed I think in a respectful manner.

[Guest Blown4v]

so if I have a group of coyotes coming on the back of my property every night, only 5 acres, and doing what seems like baiting my dogs, I can do nothing about it? When I hear it, I take the AR and can easily see them with the surefire, but cant take them out? One of my dogs is a 100lb GSD so I'm not too worried about her, but another one is a little 25lb mutt. I think they are baiting the GSD away to get at the little dog, and a couple of the coyotes are pretty damn big....

They come out of the woods behind my house. I have no option except to ignore them??

[ShaunM]

so if I have a group of coyotes coming on the back of my property every night, only 5 acres, and doing what seems like baiting my dogs, I can do nothing about it? When I hear it, I take the AR and can easily see them with the surefire, but cant take them out? One of my dogs is a 100lb GSD so I'm not too worried about her, but another one is a little 25lb mutt. I think they are baiting the GSD away to get at the little dog, and a couple of the coyotes are pretty damn big....

They come out of the woods behind my house. I have no option except to ignore them??

If you shoot one you must provide enough proof that they where either going to harm you or your property. I've talked to several wardens and they told me that to many people are using an excuse that "the coyotes are killing my dogs or the coyotes are doing property damage" but come to find out the coyotes didn't do either. He said if you shoot one at night and if they come out, you have to show proof of the damage. It's a fine line but in the end I am going to do whats necessary to protect my property.

[Guest BungieCord]

If you shoot one you must provide enough proof that they where either going to harm you or your property. I've talked to several wardens and they told me that to many people are using an excuse that "the coyotes are killing my dogs or the coyotes are doing property damage" but come to find out the coyotes didn't do either. He said if you shoot one at night and if they come out, you have to show proof of the damage. It's a fine line but in the end I am going to do whats necessary to protect my property.

Tennessee Code 70-4-115. Destruction and disposal of wildlife — Permit — Penalty. —

(a) The owner of lands may destroy any wild animals, wild birds, or wild fowl when such wild animals, wild birds, or wild fowl are destroying property upon such lands. Any person, before destroying any big game under the conditions provided for in this section, is required to obtain a permit for destroying such big game. Such permit shall be issued by an officer of the wildlife resources agency.

[Acts 1951, ch. 115, § 33 (Williams, § 5178.62); 1959, ch. 145, § 4; Acts 1974, ch. 481, § 21; 1979, ch. 193, § 1; 1982, ch. 738, § 19; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 51-424; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1990, ch. 891, § 13; 1999, ch. 285, § 1.]

Nowhere I can find in the TCA is it codified that you must prove you were justified. That very much sounds a violation of the principle of "innocent until proved guilty," which doubtless is the reason the fine is small: It's cheaper to pay the fine than to hire a lawyer to have a judge throw out the charges. That's as much as saying if the coyotes kill your goats or calves, you have to store the carcass in the freezer for all eternity so when the coyotes come back -- whenever that might be -- you can prove you were justified in killing them.

For coyotes, no permit is required and the Three S rule applies: shoot it, shovel it, shut up.

[ShaunM]

Tennessee Code 70-4-115. Destruction and disposal of wildlife — Permit — Penalty. —

(a) The owner of lands may destroy any wild animals, wild birds, or wild fowl when such wild animals, wild birds, or wild fowl are destroying property upon such lands. Any person, before destroying any big game under the conditions provided for in this section, is required to obtain a permit for destroying such big game. Such permit shall be issued by an officer of the wildlife resources agency.

[Acts 1951, ch. 115, § 33 (Williams, § 5178.62); 1959, ch. 145, § 4; Acts 1974, ch. 481, § 21; 1979, ch. 193, § 1; 1982, ch. 738, § 19; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 51-424; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1990, ch. 891, § 13; 1999, ch. 285, § 1.]

Nowhere I can find in the TCA is it codified that you must prove you were justified. That very much sounds a violation of the principle of "innocent until proved guilty," which doubtless is the reason the fine is small: It's cheaper to pay the fine than to hire a lawyer to have a judge throw out the charges. That's as much as saying if the coyotes kill your goats or calves, you have to store the carcass in the freezer for all eternity so when the coyotes come back -- whenever that might be -- you can prove you were justified in killing them.

For coyotes, no permit is required and the Three S rule applies: shoot it, shovel it, shut up.

Obviously you didn't read what I said. I simply said you must provide proof that the coyote or whatever is causing damage, if it is then yes you are well within your rights to protect your property. Lets say you see a coyote on your property at night, the coyote isn't causing any damage you put a spot light on it and shoot it, then yes it is illegal to do that. If you see a coyote on your property at night and it is killing or trying to kill your animals then yes it would be legal to kill. Also when you say shoot it, shovel it and shut up.....well that's why we have tough laws as it is because people like that.

[ShaunM]

Oh and it may be cheaper to pay the fine but they can also take your gun and possibly more. As far as the coyote carcass in the freezer you wouldn't have to do that. All you have to do is notify any law enforcement agency in your county or the TWRA and tell them what the coyotes have done. If they eat your chickens or goats or whatever then all you have to do is show them the dead animals, again I would report it to cover my butt. You are making this more complicated than it needs to be. Any person with common sense knows when they have the right to protect their property.

[DaveS]

I think that "not" reporting it could cause more problems than it's worth. In today's society, people report gunshots most all the time. Call your sherrif department and TWRA and report an issue with yotes getting after your domestic animals. Most likely you will be told to "deal with it". Now they are aware of your problem and it is least likey to cause problems if reported. By the way, it's easier to declare "I was protecting my animals" if using a shotgun opposed to a centerfire rifle with night vision scopes/flashlights. I've yet to see another animal "stand still" so a coyote could walk up and kill/eat it. They'll come in full bore and meaning business. Much easier to hit with shotgun anyways. Plus some of your neighbors would probably appreciate not having a rifle bullet passing through the walls of their house. Take care of business, but be SMART about it, and be legal! My opinion is all....

[Alleycat72]

I've had TWRA ask me to shoot an injured deer at night so that they wouldn't have to send out a game warden to do it. When it comes to coyote in the backyard at night destroying your property, I think a little bit of .22LR and a lot of STFU goes a long way.

[ShaunM]

I think that "not" reporting it could cause more problems than it's worth. In today's society, people report gunshots most all the time. Call your sherrif department and TWRA and report an issue with yotes getting after your domestic animals. Most likely you will be told to "deal with it". Now they are aware of your problem and it is least likey to cause problems if reported. By the way, it's easier to declare "I was protecting my animals" if using a shotgun opposed to a centerfire rifle with night vision scopes/flashlights. I've yet to see another animal "stand still" so a coyote could walk up and kill/eat it. They'll come in full bore and meaning business. Much easier to hit with shotgun anyways. Plus some of your neighbors would probably appreciate not having a rifle bullet passing through the walls of their house. Take care of business, but be SMART about it, and be legal! My opinion is all....

That was my main point. Do what you got to do as long as you have common sense, are within the law and you said it best Dave be SMART about it.

[DaveS]

We've been beating this same dead horse (yote in this case) since early January. I think the legalities of night hunting and protecting our domestic animals has been well stated.

[Guest BungieCord]

Obviously you didn't read what I said. I simply said you must provide proof that the coyote or whatever is causing damage, if it is then yes you are well within your rights to protect your property. Lets say you see a coyote on your property at night, the coyote isn't causing any damage you put a spot light on it and shoot it, then yes it is illegal to do that. If you see a coyote on your property at night and it is killing or trying to kill your animals then yes it would be legal to kill. Also when you say shoot it, shovel it and shut up.....well that's why we have tough laws as it is because people like that.

Yes, I read it. I read the law, too. My money's on the law.