Lawmakers take aim at hunting over Web
Oklahoma lawmakers take aim at hunting over Web

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By Michael McNutt
Published: March 25, 2008

What's wrong with killing a deer in the comfort of your house so you can mount its head in your den or office?

Plenty, said a lawmaker whose bill that would ban the practice of virtual hunting by cyberspace passed a House subcommittee on Monday.

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"To me it's not hunting, it's just killing,” said Rep. Phil Richardson, R-Minco.

Senate Bill 1463, by Richardson and Sen. James Williamson, R-Tulsa, would prohibit anyone from hunting wildlife by computer-assisted remote control. No company or individual will be allowed to offer computerassisted remote control hunting if the measure, has which already won Senate approval, becomes law.

Violating the law would be a misdemeanor, with a maximum fine of $500 and a year in the county jail.

More than 30 states have outlawed the practice, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

How does it work?
Richardson said the concept consists of a computer user, using a mouse from the home or office, to maneuver a camera-equipped rifle set up at a remote spot. When the animal comes into view on the computer screen, the user clicks the mouse to fire the weapon.

"The gun is mounted with a camera and they're able to move the gun and pull the trigger,” he said.

Richardson, a veterinarian, said the practice is unethical.

"Hunting is a participatory sport,” he said. "You ought to be out there in the wild.”

Richardson has a similar measure, House Bill 2546, which has passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate.

One difference, though, is the House bill would allow hunters in wheelchairs to be assisted on-site by computer technology.

How was it started?
The concept of virtual hunting in cyberspace began in 2005 when a Texas entrepreneur, John Lockwood, set up a Web site that allowed subscribing hunters with a high-speed Web connection to shoot antelope, wild pigs and other game on his land near San Antonio. He offered to send the animals' heads to subscribers.

Lockwood had a friend use his technology to shoot a wild hog on his property by using a computer 45 miles away.

Texas lawmakers a short time later passed legislation banning the practice.


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wow...once again. liberty's at risk. boot this guy out of office. he is not doing his job. i dont hunt, except for other fellas wife's.
Randy, Moore - Mar 27, 2008 12:00 AM
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Sounds like a bunch of people who are to lazy to get out of bed on a frosty early morning and go set in a tree stand. That's not true hunting. I really hope that this will pass and be a new law. I love to hunt, and half of the fun is getting ready to go.
Sherry, Reydon - Mar 26, 2008 9:42 PM
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So...Percy, you must not hunt. Maybe you never have. Maybe you oppose all hunting. Maybe you're a vegan. Sure seems that way from your post. And how you could equate the issue of remote hunting with high end military weapons is something else. And John McCain is at fault, too? Son, you need to get out more. Go support the wildlife. No...really support them. Purchase a OK state hunting license. That is the only revenue supporting wildlife in the vast public lands of this state. That's all the money the wildlife get. YOU and your PETA friends don't do squat...except whine about things they know not what.
Hey!..Want some cheese to go along with all that whine?
TOM, MIDWEST CITY - Mar 25, 2008 7:31 PM
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"Hunting is a participatory sport,” he said. "You ought to be out there in the wild.”=======
That's it? When you go on safari and the gun bearer carries your weapon, holding it for you whereever you go, and then hands you the weapon when the brush-beaters have driven the game to the point of attack, then and only then are you hunting? What's the problem with being 45 miles away? It's called being a sniper! Or a missile launcher! Or John McCain in Vietnam! He pushed a button and blew people up he didn't even have to see shredded into numerous body parts and he came home a hero. We have "drones" called Reapers that are unmanned killing machines being manipulated by computers from miles away. Sounds like great military training. So why do Oklahomans in wheelchairs get all the fun?
Percy F., Ardmore - Mar 25, 2008 11:14 AM
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I feel the need to hug a tree.......
news, Shawnee - Mar 25, 2008 10:36 AM
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While I would never participate, and don't understand what would make someone do so, the setup in San Antonio is basically private land with domestic animals that are also private property. Where it comes into conflict with game laws for native species, then no. But for "stocked ranches", it's pretty much none of the government's darn business. Next thing you know, the state will pass a law requiring detailed "humane means" to slaughter a farmyard chicken, or make it illegal to do so at all without a government license.
Floyd R, Purtle - Mar 25, 2008 9:22 AM
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They need to set up something like this on the mexican border. I don't know about mounting the head on my wall, though...
Anonymous, Everywhere - Mar 25, 2008 7:32 AM
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