Stop Illegal Deer Hunting in Public Parks

In Pawnee Prairie Nature Center located in Wichita, Kansas, hunters have found a place to kill deer illegally. In 2011 over twelve known deer were killed, others injured, and there was other evidence of illegal hunting in this “No Hunting” public park. What makes it worse  is that this is a public park where many people visit to enjoy the park's beauty, and it also includes a golf course.  This park is State-owned and under-staffed. The fine for getting caught killing a deer the first time would be a mere $250.00 and $98.00 in court costs. The second time offense is a $500.00 fine, plus court costs. Why should a poacher stop when the fines and penalties for their crimes are  minimal?

 ·         We are asking for more park rangers and/or much stronger police presence and

            twenty-four hour electronic surveillance.

·      We want the fine for the first time offense in  the killing or wounding of any deer to be raised to $10,000.00 and a loss of hunting license for two  years.

·      The second time offense would be a fine of $15,000.00, mandatory prison time to be served during the next entire hunting season, and loss of hunting license for

    three years.

·      The third time offense would result in a fine of $20,000.00, mandatory prison time to be served during the entire hunting season for three consecutive years and permanent loss of hunting license for life.

 The consequences for these violations in a public park where people gather needs to be more severe, in order to help deter this crime before someone gets killed. When the sign reads “NO HUNTING” and a person is caught in the act of this crime, we need to send a stronger signal to those who break that law. These criminals are consuming much city and state revenue in the attempt to catch them. There needs to be an attempt to compensate for the huge losses in this area.

 

I don't want to see any more deer killed or injured by poachers and this petition is also an attempt to prevent any injury or loss of human life.  This  is a very dangerous situation and the law needs  to be changed in order to prevent any further loss of life.

 

 

Contact information for Target Audience:

Kansas Governor Brownback 1-877-579-6757 (toll-free)

Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer 316-268-4331

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

Operation Office 620-672-5911