Three residents from Northwest Alabama have taken legal action against a state law that permits wildlife officers to enter private properties without a warrant. They filed their complaint in Lauderdale County Circuit Court on Tuesday.
The complainants—Dalton Beauley and Regina Williams from Killen, and Dale Lyles from Muscle Shoals—joined forces with the Judicial Institute due to ongoing invasions of privacy by Alabama Game Wardens.
The lawsuit specifically names Chris Blankenship, the commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, along with other officials, including Charles Sykes, head of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, and Game Wardens Chad Howell and Jarrod Poole, as well as an unnamed officer.
Landowners seek a symbolic $1 in damages from the Game Wardens. Notably, Beauley, Williams, and Lyles have not been found guilty of any hunting violations, but the wildlife officers allege they have been inspecting the properties without warrants on several occasions.
This situation arises from Alabama law, which allows game officers “to enter any land… perform their duties.” Thus, whether it’s a clearly marked field or even a residential yard, these officers possess significant authority to access private land without prior consent.
However, the plaintiffs argue that this law infringes upon their constitutional rights. Senator Slanjan, the Judicial Attorney General, stated, “The Alabama Constitution clearly mandates that a warrant is necessary for the government to search your property, and game supervisors aren’t exempt from this requirement.”
Beauley and Williams reported that their privacy concerns started in 2024. Williams, who owns 10 acres in Killen, has used her backyard for outdoor activities for years. As she aged, her ability to enjoy the property diminished.
She had given permission for her neighbor, Boley, and his children to use the land, but by February 2024, they noticed that game officers began to trespass onto their property.
Boley expressed his frustration, saying, “This was once a place where I could relax, but now it feels like I’m always being watched.”
In November 2024, Williams reported a game warden’s return to her property, informing Boley that they had observed the land and advised him to feed the deer. Boley denied any feeding activities, insisting he had only hunted deer with his bow over a year prior.
Boley, a military veteran who looked to his property for stress relief, noted he could no longer do so easily and now remains vigilant whenever his sons use the land.
Lyles, who owns and leases 86 acres filled with fields and marshland, differs in how he utilizes his land—mainly for hunting with his children and grandchildren. His property features two entrances, a private gravel road and a gated entry.
He first spotted a Game Warden’s vehicle on his property back in August 2018.
Fast forward six years; in November, a neighbor sent him a photo of another Game Warden parked on his land. Lyles tried to approach the officer, but the interaction was unsatisfactory.
Since then, Lyles has put up a “no trespassing” sign and installed cameras at the entrance. A recent encounter in January saw another officer retreat after spotting the cameras.
“I’m passionate about wildlife preservation; I’m the president of the Local Ducks Unlimited Chapter,” Lyles mentioned. “But game wardens still need to consider people’s rights. Beyond my concerns for privacy, I worry about their safety. They often don’t wear visibility gear when moving through my property, which seems risky, especially when hunting.”
