Wyoming proposes a ban on sale of trophy game coordinates

[Bob33]

Searching for trophy game animals using advanced photography equipment or even drones and then selling the locations could soon be illegal.
   
This practice, Game and Fish Wardens say isn’t fair for hunters, or their prey.

The premise is simple: go find a trophy animal and then get paid by someone who wants to know the location.

WGFD Chief Warden Brian Nesvik shared, “Folks are spending quite a bit of time scouting for big trophy class animals in remote areas, and then taking the locations of those animals and selling services to people, helping them to find those animals during the hunting season.”

“I think it’s a question of ethics, there’s a balance there. It brings into question fair chase but you know the advancements of technology has put us at this point,” commented, Joshua Coursey Muley Fanatic Foundation President.

This is especially true for trophy mule deer bucks, because they generally stay around the same area until migrating.

“It’s not always easy to find animals in those areas, but once you do find them, especially with mule deer they maintain a lot of fidelity to that area until they leave again to migrate back down to winter ranges,” said Coursey.

This problem has been brought to light in the past few years. The consensus, it is not fair and even unethical.

“Actually really in the last couple of years we’ve started to see more of these services advertised, and that’s primarily where I think most of the folks we heard from here today at the committee have become aware of this issue.”

“The chase or the stalk is the hunt; it’s not called killing or shooting, it’s called hunting! And I think when you alleviate that you’ve taken the sport and the recreational pursuit of hunting and it’s turned into something not what this hunting community cherishes.”

State Representative District #33, Jim Allen felt, “We thought by our vote that it was an unfair advantage given to some hunters and not others, and so we’ll see what the bill does when it gets to the budget session in February but right now we passed the bill out of committee that prohibits that practice.”

GPS advertisements can range from a few hundred dollars to almost two-thousand, depending on the trophy status of an animal.

http://www.kcwy13.com/content/news/Selling-the-Coorinates--442271353.html

[pianoman9701]

Not that I'm in favor of the practice, but how is this different than paying for a guide who knows the area?

[greenhead_killer]

Beat me to it pman. That was my first thought as well

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I wonder if it is the guides who are pissed then? 

[huntnphool]

The premise is simple: go find a trophy animal and then get paid by someone who wants to know the location.

 Isn't this exactly why people book with outfitters/guides like Mossback?

 Same thing really.

[pianoman9701]

I wonder if it is the guides who are pissed then?

That could be, and in a state where they're actually regulated and have to pay big bucks for a license, that would be a motivator.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I wonder if it is the guides who are pissed then?

That could be, and in a state where they're actually regulated and have to pay big bucks for a license, that would be a motivator.

There are some hunters who dislike it on ethical reasons, but yes the big outcry is from outfitters who guide on the national forest - and who want to sell the same service with all the trimmings for more money. 

[jjhunter]

Interesting...I see that Brian Latturner hooked up with an outfitter this year.  His scouting packages created all the uproar last year.  Powerful outfitters association in WY.

[pianoman9701]

I wonder if it is the guides who are pissed then?

That could be, and in a state where they're actually regulated and have to pay big bucks for a license, that would be a motivator.

There are some hunters who dislike it on ethical reasons, but yes the big outcry is from outfitters who guide on the national forest - and who want to sell the same service with all the trimmings for more money.

They object on ethical reasons but are still OK if you hire a guide who does the same thing? Interesting double-standard. I understand registered guides objecting and for that reason (as well as never intending to use one for myself), would certainly oppose scouting by drone. But if someone thinks selling coordinates somehow holds a lower ethical ground than hiring a guide, they're not looking at the end result - same, same.

[bobcat]

This is what prompted them to write the proposed new law:

http://www.monstermuleys.com/hunt-consulting-scouting/


Here's another Wyoming scouting service in which they use airplanes to locate trophy animals:


http://wescout4u.com/public-land-scouting-packages/wyoming-scouting-packages/

[boneaddict]

Isn't this what deerking was doing in Colorado until he got busted for poaching.

I know folks have suggested I do it.   I have no interest.

[Rainier10]

This will be an interesting one to follow. Not sure what side of the fence I am on here.  I can see it being a slippery slope for sure.

[lord grizzly]

interesting all the "ethics" proposals coming up in game departments. probably speaks volumes for what the modern hunter in this internet culture has become

[Gringo31]

Interesting....


I guess I never thought of people actually doing it as a business.  I wish we'd all lose our cell phones....... 

[Bob33]

You've waited 20 years to draw the coveted tag. The quest of a lifetime, the monster bull is in your sights.

Wait - should I shoot, or make a call to report the coordinates for a $10K finder's fee?