Poachers often are trespassing and may not know where homes or livestock are located. Hunting is always safer on lands that are familiar to the sportsman. Leasing land to hunters also can decrease illegal activity. When people pay for the privilege of hunting, they tend to watch the land more closely and work to protect and manage the wildlife populations. Dale Bell of Hinds County, a conservation officer with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, said most poachers break the law for the thrill, and not because they need the meat.
Most poachers know they are breaking the law, but for the others, ignorance is no excuse.
It is the hunter's responsibility to know the law. Poaching is not very sportsmanlike because it is unfair to wildlife populations, and real hunters look down on poachers. Bell said the public can help law enforcement officers by watching for suspicious activities. However, private citizens should never approach violators. The best way to stop poaching is by frequent patrols by conservation officers.