Cyber-bullies put hunters on the defensive

McCOOK, Neb. -- A Nebraska legislative committee heard testimony this week in support of a bill intending to make cyber-bullying a crime. The testimony caught at least one legislator by surprise with regard to the victims of the offense, Nebraska hunters.

Reports of cyber-bullying in recent years have primarily involved juveniles and their parents. Licensed hunters have become the latest victims to prompt legislation and testimony before the Natural Resources Committee.

District 44 State Senator Dan Hughes sits on the committee and said he had no idea the sort of activity discussed was going on.

Supporters of LB 394 said cyber-bullying of hunters by groups such as PETA was becoming quite a problem. A 16-year-old boy who recently won a lottery for a Mountain Lion hunting license, within a matter of days, received more than 1000 emails decrying him for being a hunter. An executive director for a sports enthusiasts group received death threats via email and text after comments he made were ran in a newspaper article. One death threat included an image of his home believed to have been pulled from the county assessors' website.

"Animal rights advocates have picked up on that as an avenue to express themselves, promote their cause," said Sen. Hughes during his weekly legislative conference call with the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce this morning.

Licensed hunters are apparently subject to more transparency than a licensed driver, according to supporters of the bill.

"Everything on a hunting license is public knowledge, but a driver's license is not," said Sen. Hughes. Information such as height, weight and hair color is withdrawn by game and parks representatives, however, contact and location information such as a hunter's home address, email and other information is made available to the public.

"I had no idea this was going on," said Hughes, adding he believed something needed to be done to protect the rights of hunters.

LB 394 would prohibit individuals from "interfering through intimidation, with one who is lawfully engaged in activity associated with hunting," via telephone or other electronic method.

Sen. Hughes indicated he wasn't certain the bill would solve the problem and hinted it might run into enforcement issues. He said legislators wanted to know why a hunting license would be subject to public information requirements, when a driver's license is not.

The game and parks database contains more than 100,000 names of licensed hunters or those who have been licensed hunters. Sen. Hughes said the information is likely valuable as a mailing list for businesses such as Cabelas but certainly can be used for ulterior motives.

He indicated legislators weren't rushing to a solution and were more interested in gathering additional information on the topic. He said he wasn't sure LB 394 would make it out of committee this session and it could be slated for additional work this summer.

"There are a lot of different angles to come at this with," said Hughes.