BOSTON — An unlikely alliance between animal protection groups and hunters is driving a proposal for stiffer penalties for those who poach deer, turkey and other wild game.

Under the proposal, which is being considered by the Legislature’s Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, violators would face hefty new fines, license suspension and jail time for multiple offenses.

Massachusetts has become known as a “paradise” for poachers because of its outdated game laws and paltry fines that do little to deter illegal hunting, trapping and fishing, according to one animal protection advocate.

“Illegal hunting and fishing damage conservation efforts, affect future generations of wildlife, create challenges for law enforcement and threaten our state economy,” said Rep. Lori Ehrlich, D-Marblehead, a primary sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives.

“This is a proposal that will preserve the rights of law-abiding hunters while protecting our wildlife and natural resources.”

Backed by 70 lawmakers, the bill has strong bipartisan support in the House and Senate. Local co-sponsors include Reps. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester; Paul Tucker, D-Salem; Linda Campbell, D-Methuen; Brad Hill, R-Ipswich; as well as Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, and Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem.

The proposal also would add the Bay State to the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, a national database that shares information about suspected poachers and the suspension of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses.

Massachusetts is one of only two states, including Hawaii, that hasn’t joined the pact.

Animal protection groups say joining the pact would help change the state’s reputation as a safe haven for poachers.

“Right now, we’re unfortunately known as a paradise for poachers,” said Stephanie Harris, Massachusetts state director for the Humane Society of the United States.

“They know they can come here and poach animals and not face consequences, even if they’ve been convicted of illegal hunting in their own state.”

Under the pact, hunters who have been convicted of poaching or had their licenses revoked elsewhere would be prevented from getting one in Massachusetts.

Hunting groups, which seldom side with animal protection organizations on proposed legislation, are onboard with the tougher fines and penalties.

Under current game laws, the vast majority of poaching offenses carry as much weight as a parking ticket.

Some fines haven’t been updated in more than a century.

“Many of the fines for poaching are too low, which isn’t a deterrent,” Ehrlich said. “They’re basically letting willful offenders off with a slap on the wrist.”

Under the proposed changes, fines for killing a deer or turkey out of season or without a hunting license would rise from a low of $300 to a high of $3,000 per offense.

Violators could also face up to six months in prison.

Illegal killings of a bird of prey, which are protected species, will cost poachers up to $10,000 for multiple offenses, including up to a year in prison.

The proposal also adds smaller animals that now bring no fines for poaching.

Poaching a raccoon, rabbit or gray squirrel could cost you $50 per animal.

Last year, lawmakers increased fines for commercial and recreational fish poaching as part of a $2 billion environmental bond bill signed by Gov. Charlie Baker.

In the past three years, state environmental police have reported 2,242 wildlife and hunting violations, including hunting without a license and hunting on wildlife refuges or on other lands where it’s off limits, according to the state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Police made 183 arrests for illegal hunting during that period and issued more $63,000 in fines, according to the state agency.

Supporters of the tougher sanctions say poaching is rampant in the state’s forests and parkland and is mostly unpunished.

Wildlife officials estimate that for every animal harvested legally, at least one other is poached.

A similar plan was approved by the Senate last year but wasn’t taken up by the House before the end of the legislative session.

Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites.