So in Maryland especially where I live on the eastern shore there is a lot of spotlighting that goes on. I know a few people I was in HS with that did it and thought it was a good time. Granted I'm sure that there are a lot of older people doing the same thing. But I am curious to see how many people on this forum have done anything illegal hunting wise? I'll put a poll so your votes can be anon but if you want to share a story of you or someone you know to give a personal opinion then by all means go ahead. Personally myself I have never done anything as outrageous as spotlighting or crossing property lines to poach deer. The only thing I have done that was close to breaking the law was dropping corn for ducks (Has to be gone 10 days before duck season opens). I normally stop baiting about 2 weeks before the season but I'm sure that if DNR checked me they would find some kernals left in the water by my spots....That being said I don't drop bait within 10 days of the season and I do my best to scout the day before and make sure that I can't find any corn in the water. So lets hear it...
I'm not sure what you mean by "I have never done anything as outrageous as spotlighting". Spotlighting just means using a spotlight to shine a field and look for deer and doesn't mean they are poaching. Spotlighting is legal in many states with regulation as to when you can do it (provided you don't have weapons except CC). Poaching is poaching, whether someone uses a spotlight or not. Spotlighting for deer is basically glassing for deer but at night, so just be sure not to assume if someone says they spotlight that they are admitting to poaching. As a kid we used to pile in the truck and go spotlighting just to see deer, nothing more nothing less.
Understood, let me clarify when I say spotlighting I mean you put the light on a deer in a field to freeze it and then shoot it. I believe using any kind of light to shine a field in MD is illegal but I may be wrong
I laughed at that one as well, some of the rules are just silly like that...I mean wouldn't a bigger broadhead cause more damage, hit more vitals, and end a deer's life quicker? And make tracking that much easier? Anyone have an idea on why there is a rule on "too big" of a broadhead?
I know somebody that knows a guy that arrowed a hen thinking it was legal during season in Fl. All evidence was consumed the following day.
I remember spotlighting when I was like 14 I think. Don't think we ever hit anything with our recurves though.
I used lighted nocks a lighted sight and had two cameras on my bow my first elk season in CO. I didn't know till the next year it was even illegal. and honestly I think I'd do it again. Not sure what the punishment would be. I think a bunch of trad guys steal the cams off your bow or something.
I actually got pulled over for "tailgating" a cop opening day...He stopped me and once he saw the camo and the bow he told me to hurry up and get in the woods because that's where he was headed too
Your absolutely right. A rifle would end a deers life even more effienciently and humanly but you can't use them during bow season
I live in a town where 80% of the land is owned by out of staters who vacation here for a few weeks to a few months in the summer. I work hard to secure access to as many parcels as possible, knocking on doors sending emails, and making phone calls. I prefer to spend my time where I have permission, but I do cross on to other properties in the course of scouting, as this is a fairly densely developed area, and I usually don't think twice about it. In contrast, as a caretaker for several summer homes, I've taken down stands set up without permission over apple trees in backyards,probably by hunters from neighboring towns. That definitely pisses me off.
I thought you meant shining by saying spotlighted. Ive never hunted using a light but i have gone shining, outside of hunting season to see deer.
