hunter harassment laws

Hunter Harassment laws exist for all 50 states. Below you will find an impartial list. More states will be added soon.

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas ARKANSAS CODE OF 1987 ANNOTATED TITLE 5. CRIMINAL OFFENSES SUBTITLE 6. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WELFARE CHAPTER 71. RIOTS, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, ETC. SUBCHAPTER 2. OFFENSES GENERALLY 5-71-228 Obstruction of shooting, hunting, fishing, or trapping activities.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to willfully obstruct or impede the participation of any individual in the lawful activity of shooting, hunting, fishing, or trapping in this state. Provided, that nothing in this section shall prohibit a landowner or lessee from exercising his or her lawful right to prohibit hunting, fishing, or trapping on his or her land, or from exercising any other legal right.
(b) (1) A court of general jurisdiction may enjoin conduct which would be in violation of subsection (a) of this section upon petition by a person affected or who reasonably may be affected by such conduct, upon a showing that such conduct is threatened or that it has occurred on a particular premises in the past and that it is not unreasonable to expect that under similar circumstances it will be repeated.
(2) (A) A court of general jurisdiction may award damages to any person adversely affected by a violation of subsection (a) of this section which may include an award for punitive damages.
(B) In addition to other items of special damage, measure of damages may include expenditures of the affected person for license and permit fees, travel, guides, special equipment, and supplies, to the extent that such expenditures were rendered futile by prevention of taking of a wild animal or fish.
(c) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisonment for not to exceed thirty (30) days, or both, and if such person holds an Arkansas hunting, fishing, or trapping license at the time of conviction, such license shall be revoked.
(d) This section shall not prevent any wildlife officer or other law enforcement officer from performing his or her duties.

History. Acts 1991, No. 149, §§ 1-4.

California  WEST'S ANNOTATED CALIFORNIA CODES FISH AND GAME CODE
DIVISION 3. FISH AND GAME GENERALLY CHAPTER 1. TAKING AND POSSESSING IN GENERAL§ 2009. Interference with lawful shooting, etc., prohibited; punishment; application of section; intent
(a) A person shall not willfully interfere with the participation of any individual in the lawful activity of shooting, hunting, fishing, falconry, or trapping at the location where that activity is taking place.
(b) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500).
(c) If any person is convicted of a violation of this section and the offense occurred within two years of another separate violation of this section which resulted in a conviction, the violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment.
(d) This section does not apply to the actions of any peace officer or personnel of the department in the performance of their official duties. This section does not obstruct the rights and normal activities of landowners or tenants, including, but not limited to, farming, ranching, and limiting unlawful trespass.
(e) In order to be liable for a violation of this section, the person is required to have had the specific intent to interfere with the participation of an individual who was engaged in shooting, hunting, fishing, falconry, or trapping.
(f) For purposes of this section, "interfere with" means any action which physically impedes, hinders, or obstructs the lawful pursuit of any of the above-mentioned activities, including, but not limited to, actions taken for the purpose of frightening away animals from the location where the lawful activity is taking place.
(Added by Stats. 1988, c. 1278, § 1.)

Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware

Florida FLORIDA STATUTES TITLE XXVIII. NATURAL RESOURCES; CONSERVATION, RECLAMATION, AND USE CHAPTER 372. WILDLIFE 372.705. Harassment of hunters, trappers, or fishers
(1) A person may not intentionally, within a publicly or privately owned wildlife management or fish management area or on any state-owned water body:
(a) Interfere with or attempt to prevent the lawful taking of fish, game, or nongame animals by another.
(b) Attempt to disturb fish, game, or nongame animals or attempt to affect their behavior with the intent to prevent their lawful taking by another.
(2) Any person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in §. 775.082 or §. 775.083.
Laws 1990, c. 90-170, § 2.

Georgia OFFICIAL CODE OF GEORGIA ANNOTATED TITLE 27. GAME AND FISH CHAPTER 3. WILDLIFE GENERALLY ARTICLE 6. INTERFERENCE WITH LAWFUL TAKING27-3-151. Activity prohibited
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to:
(1) Interfere with the lawful taking of wildlife by another person by intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent such person from such lawful taking of wildlife;
(2) Disturb or engage in activity tending to disturb wildlife for the purpose of intentionally preventing or attempting to prevent the lawful taking of such wildlife; or
(3) Fail to obey an order of a law enforcement officer to desist from conduct violating paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection if the law enforcement officer observes such conduct or if the law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the person has engaged in such conduct that day or that the person plans or intends to engage in such conduct that day at a specific location.
(b) Nothing in subsection (a) of this Code section shall be construed to apply to the activities of law enforcement officers or employees of the department in the performance of their duties.
HISTORY: Code 1981, § 27-3-151, enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1460, § 1.
§ 27-3-152. Injunctions; damages for violations
(a) The superior court of a county may enjoin conduct which would be in violation of Code Section 27-3-151 upon the petition of a person who is affected or who reasonably may be affected by such conduct upon a showing that such conduct is threatened or that such conduct has occurred at a particular location in the past and that it is not unreasonable to expect that under similar circumstances such conduct will be repeated.
(b) A person who engages in conduct in violation of Code Section 27-3-151 shall be civilly liable to any other person who is adversely affected by such conduct, and any award for damages may include punitive damages. In addition to any other items of special damage, the measure of damages may include expenditures of the affected person for license and permit fees, travel, guides, and special equipment and supplies to the extent that such expenditures were rendered futile by preventing the lawful taking of wildlife.
HISTORY: Code 1981, § 27-3-152, enacted by Ga. L. 1986, p. 1460, § 1; Ga. L. 1987, p. 3, § 27.

Hawaii
Idaho

Illinois (Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 720 § 125/2 (Supp. 1996))ILLINOIS COMPILED STATUTES ANNOTATED
CHAPTER 720. CRIMINAL OFFENSES OFFENSES AGAINST PERSONS ACT 125. HUNTER INTERFERENCE PROHIBITION ACT125/1. Definitions § 1. Definitions. As used in this Act:
a. "Wild animal" means any wild creature the taking of which is authorized by the fish and game laws of the State.
b. "Taking", means the capture or killing of a wild animal and includes travel, camping, and other acts preparatory to taking which occur on lands or waters upon which the affected person has the right or privilege to take such wild animal.
P.A. 83-153, § 1, eff. Jan 1, 1984.
Formerly ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 61, p 301.
125/2. Interference with lawful taking of wild animal
§ 2. Any person who performs any of the following is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor:
(a) interferes with the lawful taking of a wild animal by another with intent to prevent the taking.
(b) disturbs or engages in an activity that will tend to disturb wild animals, with intent to prevent their lawful taking.
(c) disturbs another person who is engaged in the lawful taking of a wild animal or who is engaged in the process of taking, with intent to dissuade or otherwise prevent the taking.
(d) enters or remains upon public lands, or upon private lands without permission of the owner or his agent, or a lessee, with intent to violate this Section.
P.A. 83-153, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.
125/3. Failure to cease and desist
§ 3. Any person who knowingly performs any of the following acts is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor:
(a) fails to obey the order of a peace officer to desist from conduct in violation of Section 2 of this Act if the officer observes such conduct, or has reasonable grounds to believe that the person has engaged in such conduct that day or that the person plans or intends to engage in such conduct that day on a specific premises.
(b) is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 2. For purposes of this Section, a "second or subsequent violation" means a conviction under this Act within 2 years of a prior violation arising from a separate set of circumstances. The sentence of any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation shall include imprisonment for not less than 7 days. A person convicted of a second or subsequent violation is not eligible for court supervision.
P.A. 83-153, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.
125/4. Injunctions--Damages
§ 4. (a) Any court may enjoin conduct which would be in violation of Section 2 of this Act upon petition by a person affected or who reasonably may be affected by such conduct, upon a showing that such conduct is threatened or that it has occurred on a particular premises in the past and that it is not unreasonable to expect that under similar circumstances it will be repeated.
(b) A court shall award all resulting costs and damages to any person adversely affected by a violation of Section 2, which may include an award for punitive damages. In addition to other items of special damage, the measure of damages may include expenditures of the affected person for license and permit fees, travel, guides, special equipment and supplies, to the extent that such expenditures were rendered futile by prevention of the taking of a wild animal.
(c) A court shall revoke, for a period of one year to 5 years, any Illinois hunting, fishing, or trapping privilege, license or permit of any person convicted of violating any provision of this Act.
P.A. 83-153, § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

Indiana
Iowa
Kansas

Kentucky (Ky. Rev. State. Ann. § 150.710 (Baldwin 1996)) BALDWIN'S KENTUCKY REVISED STATUTES ANNOTATED TITLE XII. CONSERVATION AND STATE DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 150. FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

150.710 Intentional obstruction of lawful taking of wildlife.
(1) No person shall intentionally obstruct or disrupt the right of a person to lawfully take wildlife by hunting, trapping, or fishing.
(2) The Attorney General or any person directly affected may bring an action to restrain conduct unlawful under this section and may bring an action to recover damages.
(3) The officers of the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, or any other peace officer, police officer, state police officer, or sheriff may enforce this section.
(4) This section shall not apply to incidental interference with the taking of wildlife by hunting, trapping, or fishing caused by lawful activities including, but not limited to, farming, mining, or recreation.
(Enacts. Acts 1988, ch 81, § 1(1)-(4), effective July 15, 1988.)

Louisiana

Maine MAINE REVISED STATUTES ANNOTATED
TITLE 12. CONSERVATION PART 10. INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE
CHAPTER 710. HARASSMENT OF HUNTERS, TRAPPERS AND FISHERMEN § 7541. Harassment prohibited Interference with taking. No person may willfully interfere with the lawful hunting, fishing or trapping of a wild animal, wild bird or fish. Disturbing wild animals, wild birds or fish. No person may willfully disturb or attempt to disturb a wild animal, wild bird or fish with the intent to interfere with the hunting, fishing or trapping of them.
Violation. A violation of this section is a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. Property rights otherwise provided by law. This chapter shall not be construed in any way to limit the ownership use, access or control of property rights otherwise provided by law.
1983, c. 366.
§ 7542. Injunction; damages
Injunction. The District Court or Superior Court may enjoin conduct which would be in violation of section 7541 upon petition by a person affected or who reasonably may be affected by the conduct, upon a showing that the conduct is threatened or that it has occurred on particular premises in the past and that it is not unreasonable to expect that under similar circumstances it will be repeated.
1983, c. 366.

Maryland

Massachusetts Harassment prohibited Interference with taking. No person may willfully interfere with the lawful hunting, fishing or trapping of a wild animal, wild bird or fish. Disturbing wild animals, wild birds or fish. No person may willfully disturb or attempt to disturb a wild animal, wild bird or fish with the intent to interfere with the hunting, fishing or trapping of them.
Violation. A violation of this section is a civil violation for which a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged. Property rights otherwise provided by law. This chapter shall not be construed in any way to limit the ownership use, access or control of property rights otherwise provided by law.
1983, c. 366.
§ 7542. Injunction; damages
Injunction. The District Court or Superior Court may enjoin conduct which would be in violation of section 7541 upon petition by a person affected or who reasonably may be affected by the conduct, upon a showing that the conduct is threatened or that it has occurred on particular premises in the past and that it is not unreasonable to expect that under similar circumstances it will be repeated.
1983, c. 366.

Michigan

Minnesota MINNESOTA STATUTES ANNOTATED
GAME AND FISH CHAPTER 97A. GAME AND FISH GENERAL PROVISIONS

97A.037. Hunter, trapper, and angler harassment prohibited
Subdivision

1. Interference with taking wild animals prohibited. A person who has the intent to prevent, disrupt, or dissuade the taking of a wild animal or enjoyment of the out-of-doors may not disturb or interfere with another person who is lawfully taking a wild animal or preparing to take a wild animal. "Preparing to take a wild animal" includes travel, camping, and other acts that occur on land or water where the affected person has the right or privilege to take lawfully a wild animal.
Subd. 2. Disturbing wild animals prohibited. A person who has the intent to prevent or disrupt a person from lawfully taking the animals may not disturb or engage in an activity that will tend to disturb wild animals.
Subd. 3. Persons intending to harass hunters, trappers, and anglers may not remain on land. A person who has intent to violate subdivision 1 or 2 may not enter or remain on public lands, or on private lands without permission of the owner.
Subd. 4. Peace officer order; penalty. A person must obey the order of a peace officer to stop the harassing conduct that violates this section if the officer observes the conduct. For purposes of this subdivision, "harassing conduct" does not include a landowner's or lessee's action to enforce the trespass law. Violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
Laws 1989, c. 287, § 1.

Mississippi (Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-147 (1996)) MISSISSIPPI CODE 1972 ANNOTATED
TITLE 49. CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY CHAPTER 7. HUNTING AND FISHING IN GENERAL§ 49-7-147. Interference with lawful taking of wildlife.
(1) No person shall intentionally:
(a) Interfere with or attempt to prevent the lawful taking of wildlife by another;
(b) Attempt to disturb wildlife, or attempt to affect their behavior with the intent to prevent their lawful taking by another; or
(c) Harass another person who is engaged in the lawful taking of wildlife or in the preparation for such taking.
(2) Any person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a Class II violation, punishable as provided in Section 49-7-143, Mississippi Code of 1972.
SOURCES: Laws, 1991, ch. 554 § 1, eff. from and after passage (approved April 12, 1991).

Missouri VERNON'S ANNOTATED MISSOURI STATUTES TITLE XXXVIII. CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS CHAPTER 578. MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES 578.152. Interference with lawful hunting or trapping in the second degree--penalty

1. Any person who enters or remains in a hunting or trapping area where lawful hunting or trapping may occur with the intent to interfere with the lawful taking of wildlife is guilty of the crime of interference with lawful hunting or trapping in the second degree.

2. Interference with lawful hunting or trapping in the second degree is a class B misdemeanor.

(L.1988, S.B. Nos. 434 & 435, § 2.)

Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire

New Jersey 23:7A-2.     Prevention of lawful taking of wildlife prohibited 
    2.   No person may, for the purpose of hindering or preventing the lawful taking of wildlife: 
   a.   block, obstruct, or impede, or attempt to block, obstruct, or impede, a person lawfully taking wildlife; 
   b.   erect a barrier with the intent to deny ingress to or egress from areas where wildlife may be lawfully taken; 
   c.   make, or attempt to make, unauthorized physical contact with a person lawfully taking wildlife; 
   d.   engage in, or attempt to engage in, theft, vandalism, or destruction of personal or real property; 
   e.   disturb or alter, or attempt to disturb or alter, the condition or authorized placement of personal or real property intended for use in the lawful taking of wildlife; 
   f.   enter or remain upon public lands or waters, or upon private lands or waters without permission of the owner thereof or an agent of that landowner, where wildlife may be lawfully taken; 
   g.   make or attempt to make loud noises or gestures, set out or attempt to set out animal baits, scents, or lures or human scent, use any other natural or artificial visual, aural, olfactory, or physical stimuli, or engage in or attempt to engage in any other similar action or activity, in order to disturb, alarm, drive, attract, or affect the behavior of wildlife or disturb, alarm, disrupt, or annoy a person lawfully taking wildlife; or 
   h.   interject himself into the line of fire of a person lawfully taking wildlife. 
   Subsections a., b., e., f., and g. of this section shall not apply to a law enforcement officer or conservation officer enforcing the laws of this State or any local ordinance, or a private landowner or agent thereof on land or waters owned by that private landowner. 
   L.1993,c.11,s.2. 
 
23:7A-3.     Violations, penalties 
    3. a. The Director of the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife may institute a civil action in the Superior Court for injunctive and other relief for a violation of this act, and the court may proceed in the action in a summary manner. 
   b.   A person who violates this act shall be guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense. 
   c.   A person who violates this act shall be liable to  a civil penalty of not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each offense, to be collected in a summary proceeding under "the penalty enforcement law," N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq. The Superior Court and the municipal court for the municipality in which the violation occurred shall have jurisdiction to enforce "the penalty enforcement law." 
   d.   For the purposes of subsections b. and c. of this section, if the violation is of a continuing nature, each day during which it continues shall constitute an additional, separate, and distinct offense. 
   e.   In addition to bringing a civil action for injunctive relief or any other relief provided by law, a person who is adversely affected by a violation of this act may bring a civil action for damages, including punitive damages and special damages, against the violator.  Special damages may include, but need not be limited to, expenditures of the affected person for license and permit fees, travel expenses, guide fees and expenses, and the cost of special equipment and supplies, to the extent any such expenditures were rendered futile by the action or activities of the violator. 
   L.1993,c.11,s.3. 
 

New Mexico
New York

North Carolina GENERAL STATUTES OF NORTH CAROLINA
CHAPTER 113. CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT. SUBCHAPTER IV. CONSERVATION OF MARINE AND ESTUARINE AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES. ARTICLE 22. REGULATION OF WILDLIFE§ 113-295 Unlawful harassment of persons taking wildlife resources.
(a) It is unlawful for a person to interfere intentionally with the lawful taking of wildlife resources or to drive, harass, or intentionally disturb any wildlife resources for the purpose of disrupting the lawful taking of wildlife resources. It is unlawful to take or abuse property, equipment, or hunting dogs that are being used for the lawful taking of wildlife resources. This subsection does not apply to a person who incidentally interferes with the taking of wildlife resources while using the land for other lawful activity such as agriculture, mining, or recreation. This subsection also does not apply to activity by a person on land he owns or leases.
Violation of this subsection is a Class 2 misdemeanor for a first conviction and a Class 1 misdemeanor for a second or subsequent conviction.
(b) The Wildlife Resources Commission may, either before or after the institution of any other action or proceeding authorized by this section, institute a civil action for injunctive relief to restrain a violation or threatened violation of subsection (a) of this section pursuant to G.S. 113-131. The action shall be brought in the superior court of the county in which the violation or threatened violation is occurring or about to occur and shall be in the name of the State upon the relation of the Wildlife Resources Commission. The court, in issuing any final order in any action brought pursuant to this subsection may, in its discretion, award costs of litigation including reasonable attorney and expert-witness fees to any party.
(1987, c. 636, s. 3; 1993, c. 539, s. 864; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)

North Dakota

Ohio BALDWIN'S OHIO REVISED CODE ANNOTATED TITLE XV. CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES CHAPTER 1533. HUNTING; FISHING GENERAL PROVISIONS1533.03 HARASSMENT OF HUNTERS, TRAPPERS, AND FISHERS PROHIBITED
(A) No person shall purposely prevent or attempt to prevent any person from hunting, trapping, or fishing for a wild animal as authorized by this chapter by any of the following means:
(1) Placing oneself in a location in which he knows or should know that his presence may affect the behavior of the wild animal being hunted, trapped, or fished for or otherwise affect the feasibility of the taking of the wild animal by the hunter, trapper, or fisherman;
(2) Creating a visual, aural, olfactory, or physical stimulus intended to affect the behavior of the wild animal being hunted, trapped, or fished for;
(3) Affecting the condition or location of personal property intended for use in the hunting, trapping, or fishing activity.
(B) No person shall fail to obey the order of a peace officer or wildlife officer to desist from conduct that violates division (A) of this section.
(C) This section applies only to acts committed on lands or waters upon which hunting, trapping, or fishing activity may lawfully occur. This section does not apply to acts of a peace officer, the owner of the lands or waters, or a tenant or other person acting under authority of the owner on the lands or waters.
(D) Upon petition by a person who is or reasonably may be affected by conduct that violates or will violate division (A) of this section and a showing by that person that the conduct has occurred in a particular place and may reasonably be expected to occur in or near that place again, a court of common pleas may enjoin the conduct in accordance with Civil Rule 65.
(E) As used in this section, "peace officer" has the same meaning as in section 2935.01 of the Revised Code, and "wildlife officer" has the same meaning as in section 1531.13 of the Revised Code.
(1994 S 182, eff. 10-20-94; 1991 S 46, eff. 10-23-91)

Oklahoma

Oregon 1995 OREGON REVISED STATUTES TITLE 41. WILDLIFE CHAPTER 496. APPLICATION, ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF WILDLIFE LAWS PENALTIES496.994. Obstructing the taking of wildlife prohibited.
(1) A person commits the offense of obstructing the taking of wildlife if the person, having no right to do so, interferes with the lawful taking, or the process of taking, of wildlife by another with the intent to prevent the taking.
(2) Obstructing the taking of wildlife is a Class A misdemeanor.
(1987 c. 473 § 2; 1989 c. 171 § 67; 1995 c. 468 § 1)

Pennsylvania TITLE 34. GAME PENNSYLVANIA CONSOLIDATED STATUTES CHAPTER 23. HUNTING AND FUR TAKING SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS § 2302. Interference with lawful taking of wildlife or other activities permitted by this title prohibited
(A) GENERAL RULE.-- Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for another person at the location where the activity is taking place to intentionally obstruct or interfere with the lawful taking of wildlife or other activities permitted by this title.
(A.1) ACTIVITIES WHICH VIOLATE SECTION.-- A person violates this section when he intentionally or knowingly:
(1) drives or disturbs wildlife for the purpose of disrupting the lawful taking of wildlife where another person is engaged in the process of lawfully taking wildlife or other permitted activities;
(2) blocks, impedes or otherwise harasses another person who is engaged in the process of lawfully taking wildlife or other permitted activities;
(3) uses natural or artificial visual, aural, olfactory or physical stimuli to affect wildlife behavior in order to hinder or prevent the lawful taking of wildlife or other permitted activities;
(4) creates or erects barriers with the intent to deny ingress or egress to areas where the lawful taking of wildlife or other permitted activities may occur;
(5) interjects himself into the line of fire;
(6) affects the condition or placement of personal or public property intended for use in the lawful taking of wildlife or other permitted activities in order to impair its usefulness or prevent its use;
(7) enters or remains upon public lands or upon private lands without permission of the owner or their agent, with intent to violate this section; or
(8) fails to obey the order of any officer whose duty it is to enforce any of the laws of this Commonwealth where such officer observes any conduct which violates this section or has reasonable grounds to believe that any person intends to engage in such conduct.
(B) ENFORCEMENT AND RECOVERY OF DAMAGES.-- The commission or any person who is lawfully engaged in the taking, hunting or trapping of game or wildlife who is directly affected by a violation of this section may bring an action to restrain conduct declared unlawful in this section and to recover damages.
(C) EXCEPTIONS.-- The conduct declared unlawful in this section does not include any activities arising from lawful activity by other land uses, including farming, mining, forestry practices, recreation or any other activities when it is evident that such activities are not intended to violate this section.
(D) PENALTIES.-- A violation of this section is a summary offense of the second degree.

Rhode Island

South Carolina CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA 1976 ANNOTATED TITLE 50. FISH, GAME AND WATERCRAFT CHAPTER 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS COPYRIGHT (c) 1995 BY THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA Current through End of 1995 Reg. Sess.50-1-137. Impeding or obstructing hunting, trapping, fishing, or harvesting of marine species unlawful; penalty.
It is unlawful for a person willfully to impede or obstruct another person from lawfully hunting, trapping, fishing, or harvesting marine species. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as provided by Section 50-1-130. In addition to the criminal penalty, any person convicted must have his privilege to hunt, trap, fish, or harvest marine species recreationally or commercially revoked for one year.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 30 § 1. 1993 Act No. 181, § 1257, eff. July 1, 1994.

South Dakota

Tennessee TENNESSEE CODE ANNOTATED TITLE 70 WILDLIFE RESOURCES CHAPTER 4 MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONSPart 3-- Hunter Protection Act
70-4-301 Definitions. As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Taking" means the capture or killing of a wild animal and includes travel, camping, and other acts preparatory to taking which occur on lands or waters upon which the affected person has the right or privilege to take such wild animal; and
(2) "Wild animal" means any wild creature, the taking of which is authorized by the fish and game laws of the state. [Acts 1985, ch. 100, § 2.]
70-4-302 Violations -- Penalty. --
Any person who performs any of the following commits a Class C misdemeanor:
(1) Interferes with the lawful taking of a wild animal by another with intent to prevent the taking;
(2) Disturbs or engages in an activity that will tend to disturb wild animals, with intent to prevent their lawful taking;
(3) Disturbs another person who is engaged in the lawful taking of a wild animal or who is engaged in the process of taking, with intent to dissuade or otherwise prevent the taking;
(4) Enters or remains upon public lands, or upon private lands without permission of the owner or the owner's agent, with intent to violate this section; or
(5) Fails to obey the order of a peace officer to desist from conduct in violation of this section if the officer observes such conduct, or has reasonable grounds to believe that the person has engaged in such conduct that day or that the person plans or intends to engage in such conduct that day on a specific premises. [Acts 1985, ch. 100, § 3; 1989, ch 591, § 113.]
70-4-303 Injunctions -- Damages -- Construction.
(a) Any court may enjoin conduct which would be in violation of § 70-4-302 upon petition by a person affected or who reasonably may be affected by such conduct, upon a showing that such conduct is threatened or that it has occurred on a particular premises in the past and that it is not unreasonable to expect that under similar circumstances it will be repeated.
(b) A court may award damages to any person adversely affected by a violation of § 70-4-302, which may include an award for punitive damages. In addition to other items of special damage, the measure of damages may include expenditures of the affected person for license and permit fees, travel, guides, special equipment and supplies, to the extent that such expenditures were rendered futile by prevention of the taking of a wild animal.
(c) No provision of this part shall be construed to prohibit or otherwise restrict any landowner, tenant, or employee of a landowner from engaging in normal activities on or normal use of the land or property, and such activities or use shall not be deemed unlawful pursuant to any provision of this part. No provision of this part shall be construed so as to interfere with the right of the landowner to prohibit trespass upon the landowner's property by any person. [Acts 1985, ch. 100, s 4.]

Texas § 62.0125. HARASSMENT OF HUNTERS, TRAPPERS, AND FISHERMEN.  (a) This section may be cited as the Sportsman's Rights Act.
(b)  In this section:                                                         
(1)  "Wildlife" means all species of wild mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, or amphibians.
(2)  "Process of hunting or catching" means any act directed at the lawful hunting or catching of wildlife, including camping or other acts preparatory to hunting or catching of wildlife that occur on land or water on which the affected person has the right or privilege of hunting or catching that wildlife.
(c)  No person may intentionally interfere with another person lawfully engaged in the process of hunting or catching wildlife.
(d)  No person may intentionally harass, drive, or disturb any wildlife for the purpose of disrupting a person lawfully engaged in the process of hunting or catching wildlife.
(e)  No person may enter or remain on public land or enter or remain on private land without the landowner's or his agent's consent if the person intends to disrupt another person lawfully engaged in the process of hunting or catching wildlife.
(f)  This section does not apply to a peace officer of this state, a law enforcement officer of the United States, a member of the armed forces of the United States or of this state, or employees of the department or other state or federal agencies having statutory responsibility to manage wildlife or land during the time that the officer, member, or employee is in the actual discharge of official duties.
(g)  A person who violates this section commits an offense.  An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor.
(h)  It is an affirmative defense to prosecution that the defendant's conduct is protected by the right to freedom of speech under the constitution of this state or the United States.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 731, § 1, eff. Aug. 26, 1985. 
Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 700, § 1, eff. Sept. 11,
1993.

Utah
Vermont
Virginia

Washington 77.16.340. Obstructing the taking of fish or wildlife--Penalty--Defenses
(1) A person commits the crime of obstructing the taking of fish or wildlife if the person:
(a) Harasses, drives, or disturbs fish or wildlife with the intent of disrupting lawful pursuit or taking thereof; or
(b) Harasses, interferes with, or intimidates an individual engaged in the lawful taking of fish or wildlife or lawful predator control.
(2) Violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor under RCW 77.21.010.
(3) It is a defense to any prosecution under subsection (1) of this section, if the person charged:
(a) Interferes with any person engaged in hunting outside legally established hunting seasons;
(b) Is preventing or attempting to prevent the injury or killing of a protected wildlife species, as defined by this title;
(c) Is preventing or attempting to prevent unauthorized trespass on private property; or
(d) Is defending oneself or another person from bodily harm or property damage by a person attempting to prevent hunting in a legally established hunting season.
Enacted by Laws 1988, ch. 265, § 1, eff. July 1, 1988

Wisconsin
West Virginia
Wyoming