Stumphooting: check your state regs

[Brianlocal3]

Hey y'all.
So I see these wonderful threads about stumpshooting and beautiful pics of WMAs. I shoot at leaves and dandelions in the back yard but wanted to get out and do some hiking/ roving, and I have alot of area around that is state land so I called the CO to ask about roving on it and I was told that in no way at all on any Illinois state land or any Federal land in Illinois could you stumpshoot unless it is a hunting season and you posses a valid hunting license.  If you are caught doing so it is a poaching ticket.
   I fully understand this , albeit dissappointed,  due to their jobs of wildlife conservation, which is why I called to check. So just a heads up to anyone looking to rove on State land, first check your states regulations.

[Jeff Strubberg]

Yep, the soviet state of Illinois is the only place I know of that does this.

It's idiotic.

[huntnmuleys]

wow thats a crazy law!  never heard of such.  how can it be poaching if your using a blunt or judo tip and shooting grass??  i dont konw just seems excessive to me.

[gringol]

So, shooting a pine cone is poaching?  That's one I'd like to see challenged.  Ridiculous.

[huntmaster70]

I didn't know there was a stump season requiring a stump license

[Gen273]

That is just dumb!!!           Welcome to BIG Goverment and less freedom, They are just some things these days that I don't understand          

[Bud B.]

I won't go on public land and stumpshoot unless there's a season in.

Not worth the risk. Especially on Federal Lands.

[ChrisM]

So what is the fine for poaching a leaf in your state?

[jsweka]

Officially it's the same here in PA.  It's simply a law enforcement issue.  The good thing is that coyotes are in year round and also on Sundays here.  So, as long as you have your hunting license, you're good to go.

[Rob W.]

Is your frog season in and is a bow legal?

[xtrema312]

Get a small game licence. There is almost always something in season or with no closed season.  Woodchucks maybe?

[adeeden]

I stump shoot in the local one here (making sure something's in season and with a license). Of course it's usually along the river and There's no season on bow fishing!

[Bud B.]

In NC you can't hunt coyote or hog on gameland unless another season is in....that means March thru Sept there is nothing to hunt, so no stumping.

[khardrunner]

Can't shoot on PA public land either

[Bill Carlsen]

A CO ran into Laura and I a number of years ago here in NH. We were stump shooting....only had judos. Since there are some species that have no closed season, like coyotes, wood chucks, etc. he told Laura she would have to have a hunting license to be in the woods with a bow. If you think about it it does make some sense.

[gregg dudley]

I don't think that is a unique law.  If there is not a season in effect then  you can not have a firearm or bow on WMAs down here either.

[huntnmuleys]

Originally posted by Bill Carlsen:
A CO ran into Laura and I a number of years ago here in NH. We were stump shooting....only had judos. Since there are some species that have no closed season, like coyotes, wood chucks, etc. he told Laura she would have to have a hunting license to be in the woods with a bow. If you think about it it does make some sense.

i disagree.  makes no sense. your not hunting, or poaching. dont know how a hunting license would make stump shooting any different. a poacher is going to do whatever it is he is going to do regardless of the law, only one getting the shaft here is the honest guy.

[moththerlode]

Wouldnt it be conidered target practice .. Which you can do in a national forest or on BLM land in most areas

[KSdan]

So you can not shoot a slingshot, a bb gun, or throw a stick or rock on public ground? Even your scenario Bill C.-  I can not even see how carrying broadheads would be wrong. So what?  If you are poaching that is one thing- just shooting a gun or bow is another.      

I would like to see that before a judge.

[RLA]

A bow is to much work for a poacher anyway, only time they get far enough away from the truck to get checked out by a CO is maybe to cut off a set of horns!
The state has plenty of things to worry about! But a miniscule amount of bow shooting stump killers isn't one.