720 ILCS 5/48-3 – Hunter Or Fisherman Interference

720 ILCS 5/48-3 – Hunter Or Fisherman Interference

This law makes it illegal to purposely disturb or block someone who is legally hunting or fishing.

This Illinois law says that no one can interfere with another person who is legally hunting or fishing. It also explains what interference means, gives exceptions, lists punishments, and allows courts to stop or fine violators.

(a) Definitions. “Aquatic life” means fish, reptiles, amphibians, crayfish, and mussels that can legally be caught. “Interfere with” means doing something to physically stop or get in the way of someone hunting or fishing legally. “Taking” means catching or killing wildlife or aquatic life, including actions like traveling, camping, or preparing to hunt or fish. “Wildlife” means animals that can legally be hunted or released by licensed people.

(b) Hunter or fisherman interference. A person breaks this law if they purposely or knowingly do any of the following things to stop someone from legally hunting or fishing:

1. Block or interfere with legal hunting or fishing on purpose.
2. Scare or move animals or fish to stop someone from legally catching them.
3. Physically block, bother, or harass someone who is hunting or fishing legally.
4. Use lights, sounds, smells, tastes, or other things to scare away or distract wildlife or fish to stop legal hunting or fishing.
5. Put up barriers to block entry to or exit from areas where legal hunting or fishing happens.
6. Step into the line of fire or fishing line of someone hunting or fishing legally.
7. Move or damage property or equipment used for legal hunting or fishing.
8. Go onto private land without permission to interfere with hunting or fishing.
9. Disobey a police officer’s order to stop doing these things if the officer believes the person is or will interfere that day.
10. Use a drone to disturb someone who is legally hunting or fishing. A “drone” is an aerial vehicle that doesn’t carry a person.

(c) Exemptions; defenses.

1. This law does not apply to government officers or employees doing their legal jobs.
2. It also does not apply to landowners, renters, or lease holders using their property rights.
3. It is a valid defense if the person’s actions were protected by free speech rights.
4. People can protest or speak freely near hunting or fishing areas as long as they do not break this law.

(d) Sentence: A first violation of items (b)(1)–(b)(8) is a Class B misdemeanor. A second or later violation of (b)(1)–(b)(8) within 2 years is a Class A misdemeanor that requires at least 7 days in jail, and the person cannot get court supervision. Breaking items (b)(9) or (b)(10) is a Class A misdemeanor. The court must take away the person’s hunting or fishing license for 1 to 5 years if convicted.

(e) Injunctions; damages.

1. A court can stop someone from doing things listed in (b)(1)–(b)(8) or (b)(10) if it looks like the person might do those things again.
2. A court must also order anyone who broke the law to pay the costs and damages to the person affected, including possible extra money (punitive damages). This can cover things like license fees, travel, or equipment costs that were wasted because of the interference.

View the full statute here.

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