A bill to keep game wardens from entering property when they hear a gunshot fails in committee. House Bill 2859, by Rep. Sean Roberts, came under some scrutiny by Democrats before being heard in committee again.
Roberts said the bill protects land owners and their rights.
“We have gotten things twisted around to the point where we don’t respect the right of private property,” said Roberts. “The core principle that I and many of my colleagues believe in is that land owner’s private property should be protected and respected by our government. There is always going to be some exceptions, but hearing a gunshot on a rural property is not something uncommon. With the explosion of the feral hogs population, farmers and ranchers should be able to protect their hay, wheat fields, and grazing lands from all nuisance animals, especially feral hogs. The Game Wardens believe you have a right to own a gun, you just don’t have the right to fire it or you give them probable cause to access to your property or your neighbor’s property.”
Rep. Bobby Cleveland also supports the measure and cites an incident on a farm in Ryan which lead to game wardens giving a ticket to a 15-year old who was shooting at feral hogs on his family’s property.
“It should not be against the law in Oklahoma for a rancher, farmer or anyone in Oklahoma to shoot at a hog on their property without first purchasing a deer license. You have a right to protect your property. The Oklahoma hunting regulation guide clearly state on page 33 that all persons pursing hogs must a purchase a big-game license prior to shooting a feral hog. The two game wardens were within their rights to search vehicles and barns on the mere hearing of a gunshot. This clearly goes against the principle that Oklahomans have the right to protect their property,” said Cleveland.
“It was clear in this case that wildlife officials were overzealous and the individual made a strong argument to us that this was an unwarranted intrusion. We have the right to own a gun, but we apparently are to be subject to questioning from game wardens if we shoot it on our private property. It doesn’t make sense. We should protect Oklahoma wildlife, but it seems we are putting the ‘rights’ of animals such as feral hogs in front of the rights of Oklahomans.”
