Florida
Florida AG James Uthmeier Proposes Tougher Poaching Penalties to Protect Landowners and Wildlife
The penalties for illegal hunting or taking of wildlife in Florida could be about to get more punitive. Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday that his office will advocate for the Florida Legislature to pass a bill next year to…
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Key points
- Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is proposing legislation to elevate poaching from a misdemeanor to a felony offense.
- Unlawful hunting on private property would become a third-degree felony, escalating to higher felony tiers near homes or for repeat offenders.
- The Attorney General plans to grant statewide prosecutors jurisdiction over poaching cases to ensure persistent lawbreakers are held accountable.
NewsWK — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced plans to push for significantly tougher criminal penalties for wildlife poaching during the upcoming legislative session, aiming to strengthen law enforcement tools and protect private property rights across Northwest Florida and the state.
According to a report first published by the Florida Phoenix, Uthmeier outlined the legislative initiative during a press conference in Panama City Beach. The proposal seeks to address growing concerns from landowners and conservationists regarding illegal hunting, fishing, and harvesting of wildlife.
Elevating Penalties for Illegal Taking of Wildlife
Under current state law, most poaching violations are treated as minor misdemeanor offenses. Uthmeier argued that light consequences fail to stop habitual offenders from violating state laws and trespassing on private land.
“We don’t have a lot of prosecutions when people are caught. Right now, most poaching offenses are mere misdemeanors. It’s a slap on the wrist and it has not been enough to deter bad actors who are out there breaking the law,” Uthmeier said during the press conference, as reported by the Florida Phoenix.
The proposed legislation would classify the unlawful taking of an animal on private property as a third-degree felony, opening the door to state prison time. Penalties would escalate further to a second-degree felony if the poaching occurs near individuals, residential dwellings, or public infrastructure. Habitual or repeat poachers could face first-degree felony charges, which carry substantial prison sentences.
Protecting Private Property and Supporting Sportsmen
Agricultural and property groups have welcomed the crackdown. Florida Land Council Chair Joshua Kellem emphasized that landowners frequently face recurring trespassing and poaching issues on their acreage.
“Even some of the same poachers have been busted on the same property three, four, five times,” Kellem told the Florida Phoenix, noting that the failure to prosecute repeat offenders needs immediate correction.
To ensure consistent enforcement across judicial circuits, Uthmeier stated he intends to advocate for giving the statewide prosecutor jurisdiction over poaching cases, helping ensure bad actors face full legal accountability.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting by Mitch Perry originally published by Florida Phoenix. Read the original story.
