Interference with hunting, trapping fishing or sport shooting - proposed amendment to Criminal Code

[rf2]

Mr. Breitkreuz has proposed an amendment (Bill C-655) to the Criminal Code of Canada which would appear to make it a criminal offense to interfere with hunting, trapping, fishing or sport shooting:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublicati...7856138&File=4

Apparently, this Bill will not be debated prior to the federal election, but it's a good start anyway.

[Snowwalker]

Mr. Breitkreuz has proposed an amendment (Bill C-655) to the Criminal Code of Canada which would appear to make it a criminal offense to interfere with hunting, trapping, fishing or sport shooting:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublicati...7856138&File=4

Apparently, this Bill will not be debated prior to the federal election, but it's a good start anyway.

I would really like to see that go through. I can not count the number of times I have had, have seen, or have heard of people doing things like throwing rocks in rivers/ponds/lakes when people are fishing. Catching a dog that you hunting with. Yup hunting rabbit in a large tract of sage in the states, and had people stop on the highway and chase my dog till they caught her. Then quote a by-law from a city in their home state( not even the state I was in) about dogs being off leash and chasing "deer".

[MikePal]

So if someone steals your Trail Cam or Tree Stand (during the hunt season) then would he face two charges (theft and interference) ?? ....nice !!!

edit add: 3 if you can add trespassing

[welsh]

I wouldn't hold your breath for that one. Private members bills rarely go through, and there are sound arguments against adding such a provision to the Criminal Code.

1. Is this conduct actually criminal? Many things (speeding, poaching, getting drunk on a public street) are undesirable, but that doesn't make them criminal. Criminal offences are those things that we punish with jail time. Are we proposing that tossing a rock in a pool you're fishing merits jail time?
2. Why do fishing, hunting, and sports shooting deserve special status? Why would it be a criminal offence to interfere with a person who was fishing, but entirely legal to interfere with a person who was birdwatching?

This is being added to the criminal harassment offence in the Criminal Code, which covers stalking and so on: harassing a person in a way that makes them fear for their safety. Tossing a rock in the pool where you're fishing may irritate you, but it won't ordinarily make you fear for your safety. Does irritating an angler really need to be elevated to the same level as deliberately making a person fear for his life?

Of course hunters and anglers love this idea. It recognizes their values and strikes against their opponents. But that doesn't make it good law.

[Snowwalker]

1. Is this conduct actually criminal? Are we proposing that tossing a rock in a pool you're fishing merits jail time?
Tossing a rock in the pool where you're fishing may irritate you, but it won't ordinarily make you fear for your safety. Does irritating an angler really need to be elevated to the same level as deliberately making a person fear for his life?
.

Most times they are not throwing rocks on the other side of the pond. Whipping rocks at a person is not the kind of fun we should encourage.

[welsh]

I agree. But whipping rocks at a person is already a Criminal Code offence, as is stealing equipment, damaging property, or threatening a person.

[oaknut]

Most times they are not throwing rocks on the other side of the pond. Whipping rocks at a person is not the kind of fun we should encourage.

People whip rocks at fishermen?
This has never happened to me. If it did somebody would be taking a beating. Maybe me..... maybe him but still....

[northofseven]

If people are throwing rocks maybe it's time to pull out the slingshot. U are just giving them back there rocks at a higher rate of speed. Lol.

[trimmer21]

All hunting and fishing in Canada is covered by provincial law which the Feds won't be changing without a Charter amendment. It's already a provincial offense to interfere with hunting ,fishing and trapping. The only problem with that is,like in all provincial offenses,offenders must be caught in the act by the Police or CO (found committing). Nice try for Mr.Breitkruez,but,I'm not sure why he would try to introduce this.

[line052]

On Graham Lake this year during early Goose season. I had a guy drive his boat right in front of our blind and drop anchor. He was deliberate in his actions and a cottage owner on the Lake. I placed my gun down (smart) and walked out to edge of water and politely ask him move as we were hunting. He went into a rant, about his lake and no one hunting on it, and no one making that entire racket (4 shots at that point) in the years he has been there. I politely said, I understand, that the area (an island) was safe and the closet house was well over 600M away and on the other side of the lake. He said he was staying put. I then pulled out my camera and started to video him, his boat registration, and explain after politely asking; he was interfering with my legal hunt, and read him the regulations (I had them on me, as the park owner said I would have trouble). I also explained I would only engage in shooting once he was well out of my area (and I was willing to wait). He slowly, drifted and motored away over 20 minutes and we resumed hunting. My point is, I was well within my rights, I knew not to antagonize, not to carry a firearm, be polite, and give him no reason to call the police. I chose, the safer legal way despite his absolute horrible behavior, only because I had weapons with me. If this was a fishing incident with no guns, I would have treated him different in my tone and words. The fact I had a camera, I think is the reason he did not call the police. I learned then, to take that camera each time.