(Ill. Rev. Stat. ch. 720 § 125/2 (Supp. 1996))

ILLINOIS COMPILED STATUTES ANNOTATED
CHAPTER 720. CRIMINAL OFFENSES
OFFENSES AGAINST PERSONS
ACT 125. HUNTER INTERFERENCE PROHIBITION ACT

125/1. Definitions

§ 1. Definitions. As used in this Act:
a. "Wild animal" means any wild creature the taking of which is authorized by the fish and game laws of the State.
b. "Taking", means the capture or killing of a wild animal and includes travel, camping, and other acts preparatory to taking which occur on lands or waters upon which the affected person has the right or privilege to take such wild animal.

P.A. 83-153, § 1, eff. Jan 1, 1984.

Formerly ill. Rev. Stat. 1991, ch. 61, p 301.

125/2. Interference with lawful taking of wild animal
§ 2. Any person who performs any of the following is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor:

(a) interferes with the lawful taking of a wild animal by another with intent to prevent the taking.
(b) disturbs or engages in an activity that will tend to disturb wild animals, with intent to prevent their lawful taking.

(c) disturbs another person who is engaged in the lawful taking of a wild animal or who is engaged in the process of taking, with intent to dissuade or otherwise prevent the taking.

(d) enters or remains upon public lands, or upon private lands without permission of the owner or his agent, or a lessee, with intent to violate this Section.

P.A. 83-153, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

125/3. Failure to cease and desist
§ 3. Any person who knowingly performs any of the following acts is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor:

(a) fails to obey the order of a peace officer to desist from conduct in violation of Section 2 of this Act if the officer observes such conduct, or has reasonable grounds to believe that the person has engaged in such conduct that day or that the person plans or intends to engage in such conduct that day on a specific premises.
(b) is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 2. For purposes of this Section, a "second or subsequent violation" means a conviction under this Act within 2 years of a prior violation arising from a separate set of circumstances. The sentence of any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation shall include imprisonment for not less than 7 days. A person convicted of a second or subsequent violation is not eligible for court supervision.

P.A. 83-153, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

125/4. Injunctions--Damages
§ 4. (a) Any court may enjoin conduct which would be in violation of Section 2 of this Act upon petition by a person affected or who reasonably may be affected by such conduct, upon a showing that such conduct is threatened or that it has occurred on a particular premises in the past and that it is not unreasonable to expect that under similar circumstances it will be repeated.

(b) A court shall award all resulting costs and damages to any person adversely affected by a violation of Section 2, which may include an award for punitive damages. In addition to other items of special damage, the measure of damages may include expenditures of the affected person for license and permit fees, travel, guides, special equipment and supplies, to the extent that such expenditures were rendered futile by prevention of the taking of a wild animal.
(c) A court shall revoke, for a period of one year to 5 years, any Illinois hunting, fishing, or trapping privilege, license or permit of any person convicted of violating any provision of this Act.

P.A. 83-153, § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 1984.

Questions, answers and tips about big game hunting can be found in our Hunting Discussion Forums.