We
as sportsman have the right to pursue the sport of fishing without any undue
harassment from boaters, land owners, or anyone that willfully interferes
with that activity. Here is the wording of this act::
(Tx. Parks & Wild. § 62.0125 (1997))
VERNON'S TEXAS STATUTES AND CODES ANNOTATED
PARKS AND WILDLIFE CODE
TITLE 5. WILDLIFE AND PLANT CONSERVATION
SUBTITLE B. HUNTING AND FISHING
CHAPTER 62. PROVISIONS GENERALLY APPLICABLE TO HUNTING
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 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 de partment or other state or
federal agencies having statutory re sponsibility to manage wildlife or
land during the time that the of ficer, 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 con duct is
protected by the right to freedom of speech under the con stitution 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
What
and How you should report this violation???
ˇ Report the incident to the authorities as soon as possible;
ˇ Have an accurate description of the protestor, license plate number
and vehicle identification, boat
number and boat description;
ˇ Remain calm and rational;
ˇ Be prepared to file harassment charges;
ˇ Remember that any law officer can enforce this
law.
You may want to print this web page out and keep a copy in your
boat to provide to the authorities in the event of a violation.
