By Gina Holt
Enquirer Contributor

FRANKFORT - Hunters could lose their license for one year and forfeit their hunting equipment if caught trespassing under a plan a Senate panel approved last week.

State Rep. Tom Riner, D-Louisville, sponsored the bill allowing judges to have the option to suspend a hunter's license on the first offense but would be required to on the second offense and permanently take away their gear.

Riner said the proposal is aimed at repeat trespassing offenders. Each year there are about 250 reported trespassing incidents in Kentucky.

Fines for first-time offenders, currently $100 to $300, would increase to $250 to $500 under the plan. Second-time violators would see an increase from the current minimum of $300 to at least $500, while the maximum fine would remain $1,000.

Ron Meyer, a Boone County property owner and hunter, thinks the bill is a good idea. He said people have hunted on his land before without his permission and he doesn't appreciate it, saying it presents several safety issues.

His hunting buddy Steve Poat, of Burlington, agrees.

"The landowner should know how many people are on their property and how many are shooting," said Poat, who has not had trouble getting permission to hunt on private land when he has asked.

However, Poat also said the law could prevent him from retrieving a deer he shot on one piece of property that landed on the neighbor's property. It could also prevent hunters from retrieving their dogs.

Some landowners sell the hunting rights to their land to groups of hunters who form consortiums to make the purchase.

The bill is on the consent bill list, which means it could be passed with several other bills in one vote.