Well, this is a couple decades ago - so the play-by-play is a bit lost, one cop at a locally infamous speed trap after dark started seeing a light in the woods near the road. He reported it over the radio, and speculated it might be someone spotlighting deer. Hunting deer at night is very, very illegal as the deer freeze when the light is shined at them. He didn't hear shots, but was understandably reluctant to pursue the light by himself as people committing illegal acts that are obviously armed might be unsocial. Another two patrol cars showed up and they decided to surround the area where the light was. The "light", when flushed by the officers, took off down the road. The officers only saw the light and not what is was attached to nor did they hear an engine. This pursuit went from road, to another field, down the side of a river, and back into the wooded area. The light would turn on and off traveled at high speed about four feet off the ground. They finally lost sight of it outside town, last seen headed down the road. Apparently some folks called in sightings (land line days to the dispatcher), but the latency made these a bit unhelpful and the officers did comment that some of the callers might not be trusted observers and some might be ..uhm.. less than perceptive having their head inappropriately situated. The officers did say some words that were not strictly professional and threatened all manner of violence on whoever was behind this. It probably cost them some revenue as they were not available to assure the public's safe speed particularly after the bars closed. They did not catch the light nor did it happen again.

> Hunting deer at night is very, very illegal as the deer freeze when the light is shined at them.

Is that really the rationale? I would think risk of accidentally harming humans or property would significantly increase at night.

Its a combination, that's one of the big rationals I've always heard. Also, enforcement of rules would be really painful at night. It probably would be very dangerous to be out there with some of the idiots who think they are hunters.

Same reason you can’t just set up a salt lick in your back yard and camp out.

That and the fact that it would be easier to get away without hunting without a tag since the state game department doesn’t have night patrols.

Why is the deer freezing a problem? Wouldn't that be desirable? Less likelihood of a missed shot, etc.

It's considered unsporting and is a poaching technique. Yes, some game animals will stare into a light not understanding the threat, but the real reason spotlights are effective is eyeshine; the light reflected from the eyes of game animals makes them easy to find at night.

There are many effective techniques that are not permitted when hunting game.

Incidentally, the use of radios is unsporting in Kansas, and therefore forbidden (unless you’re hunting coyotes—they’re considered a pest, so you can pretty much do whatever you want).

Oh I see. I just didn't realize that that was codified into law so that police would stop you from doing that. Would have figured it had more than just unsporting as a reason.

Here is a current publication[1] that covers the rules that apply in a typical Midwest state. Page 19 covers use of artificial lights and various exceptions. There is a great deal to know and conservation officers enforce these rules enthusiastically.

[1] https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/hunting_and_trapping_...