Careful…that may not be the trophy bull you think it is

"Officers watch the animal and respond if someone violates the law," said Joey Ishida, Fish and Game Assistant Chief of Enforcement. "This tool is extremely important in our effort to curtail illegal activity that is otherwise undetectable."

Simulated animals are used to address complaints of spotlighting, trespassing, and road hunting.

"This is similar to other law enforcement agencies watching an intersection based on reports of frequent instances of failing to stop at a stop sign, or monitoring speed compliance using radar," Ishida said.

Anyone found guilty of shooting an artificial animal may lose his or her hunting license, face a fine up to $1,000, and serve a possible six months in jail. Shooters will pay a $50 restitution penalty to help maintain the decoys.

Violations that sometimes accompany this activity include shooting from a road, trespassing, shooting from a motorized vehicle, and more. These unlawful activities generate the highest numbers of complaints from other hunters and non-hunting citizens. Due to the unique circumstances required to detect these violations using routine patrols, most states and Canadian provinces started using ASAs in the late 1980s.