NBC29Albemarle Police Spotlight Spotlighters

Albemarle Police Spotlight Spotlighters

Deer hunting season starts Saturday, and the Albemarle County Sheriff's Office is taking steps to curb illegal hunting. Specifically they are working to stop spotlighting - when a hunter drives up on a deer and shines a light in its eyes so it will freeze and become an easier target. 

"Every year we get complaints.  It's very dangerous to be shooting, particularly a high powered rifle in the dark," Sheriff Chip Harding says. 

To deter spotlighters, they're using a mechanical deer to catch people in the act, especially when they trespass on private property. The mechanical deer is a decoy in the sting operation, of sorts.  Deputies put it out in a field and control it by a remote.  Spotlighters drive up on it, shoot it, and they're busted. 

"We had a couple of gentlemen roll up one night and get out of a van.  One holds the light while the other one takes a bow and arrow and strikes the deer in the neck," says Deputy Larry Martin. 

Deputy Martin and Sheriff Harding say spotlighting is dangerous.

"We've made a lot of felony arrests of DUIs.  What's really concerning is that we're out here late at night with firearms, driving drunk," says Martin.

"In Albemarle County we had a woman killed a few years ago.  We've had a number of houses that had projectiles," Sheriff Harding adds. 

In many cases, they say it's unethical. "The bad thing about it is they're out here riding around at night time.  They're shooting the deer on someone else's property.  They're trophy bucks, and they're leaving the meat.  They're cutting the heads off and they're just leaving the animals in someone's front yard, in their driveway, and they're taking the antlers and running," says Deputy Martin. 

Even though some hunters may just be having what they think is harmless fun, they have plenty to lose, including their hunting license for a year.  You can also lose your guns, and possibly your vehicle. 

The Sheriff's Office plans to deploy the mechanical deer on most Saturdays and holidays.

Reported By Tracy Clemons NBC29 HD News