Deer Poaching: Facing Meat Shortages Some Turn To Illegal Hunting

Share this...

Twitter

Facebook

Linkedin

Pinterest

Tumblr

Reddit

Vk

Email

Print

We’re All Born Hunters!

Many people, not just hunters, may be considering deer poaching as no better time to try to fill their freezer with free-range, super-lean meat.

Disclaimer:  I am an Amazon Associate; therefore, this post may contain affiliate links for me to earn a commission. RuralMoney.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

With some U.S. meat processors halting operations as workers fall ill, companies are warning of meat shortages.

And people having more time on their hands and possibly less money due to shutdowns and layoffs are among a growing number of Americans who may be hunting for food.

Many people don’t own a rifle but, they may be willing to poach deer in a humane way of early trappers, as much as possible, to get fresh protein for their family.

Taking into consideration the economic shutdown and meat shortages, it seem logical there is an increase in hunting license sales, permit applications, and deer poaching.

People who may turn to deer poaching are asking,

“Can the coronavirus be spread through food?”

Government experts state that transmission of COVID-19 through food, food packages or even food handlers has not been identified as a risk factor for this illness. COVID-19 FAQ for Grocery Stores: Receiving and Food Packaging

Realizing there is a “potential” for food contamination at meat packing companies; States may see a jump in deer poaching!

Firearm manufacturers are already reporting sales increases, and the FBI carried out 3.74 million background checks in March, a record for any month, according to Reuters.com.

Between 2016 and early 2020, there was a decline of 255,000 in the number of hunters, based on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service license data.

That was a 2% fall, as fewer young people took up the activity, hunting according to advocates.

Hank Forester of Quality Deer Management Association expects a resurgence after many Americans saw empty meat shelves at the grocery store for the first time during March and April.

“People are starting to consider self-reliance and where their food comes from. “We’re all born hunters.”

Hank Forester

Deer Poaching Is Hunting For Food And A Good Idea

Some states such as Washington and Illinois closed State lands as the virus spread, prompting the National Rifle Association to lobby governors to keep them open to allow people to hunt for food.

Case in point, officials in Washington issued ten poaching charges between March 25 and April 26 compared with three in the year-earlier period, the state’s Fish and Wildlife Department reported.

To many people, poaching deer is a good idea because they are feeling scared where their next meat is going to come from.

In addition to other food shortages such as, poultry, vegetables and milk, many Americans are turning to growing vegetables and fruit, before it, too, is outlawed.

Most hunters are not just hunting for sport; they have been furloughed from jobs.

On the other hand, the furloughed working poor may be poaching deer because they don’t have $60 for a tag that could allow them to get close to bringing home 200 pounds of free meat.

But, is deer poaching (illegal hunting) worth the fines, which range from $100 to $1000?

Image By HI56