Poachers nailed

[TonyS]

Looks like Montana deals seriously with poachers.


Montana elk-poaching case nets nearly $40,000 in fines and restitution | Outposts | Los Angeles Times

 

[nickmetz]

Sounds a little light to me.

I think the group should don their elk rack prizes each year at the start of the season and have to run through the forest with a gps tracker to verify that they were moving the entire time.

 

[Bubblehide]

That would only average out to fines of $3390.90 and 2 years loss of hunting privileges; a simply slap on the hand IMHO. Considering just how long it went on for, it's hardly even a slap.

 

[HuntinGuy101]

Good! Glad hunters are actually getting punished for poaching. It used to be a slap on the hand but now the state is getting somewhere.

 

[#1Predator]

A few decades ago the fines were much smaller. After a "boater/poacher" was convicted in Avalon Justice court of killing a buffalo (bison) on Catalina Island, "just for the fun of it", the judge handed down the maximum fine, $250.00 but then things got interesting. On the recommendation of the warden, the poacher was ordered to "replace" the bison as restitution to the people of the state of California as well as the inhabitants of Catalina Island. End result:

Buy bison from Yellowstone National park - $$$$$$
Transport said bison across several state lines with vet checks/blood tests at each crossing - $$$$$$
Hire a boat for the 26 mile ocean ride to the island - $$$$$$$
Restitution sentence - PRICELESS!!!!!

Oh, by the way, as part of the restitution, the bison had to live at least five years after being released on the island or the whole thing started over.

 

[Blue Skies Hunting Advent]

A few decades ago the fines were much smaller. After a "boater/poacher" was convicted in Avalon Justice court of killing a buffalo (bison) on Catalina Island, "just for the fun of it", the judge handed down the maximum fine, $250.00 but then things got interesting. On the recommendation of the warden, the poacher was ordered to "replace" the bison as restitution to the people of the state of California as well as the inhabitants of Catalina Island. End result:

Buy bison from Yellowstone National park - $$$$$$
Transport said bison across several state lines with vet checks/blood tests at each crossing - $$$$$$
Hire a boat for the 26 mile ocean ride to the island - $$$$$$$
Restitution sentence - PRICELESS!!!!!

Oh, by the way, as part of the restitution, the bison had to live at least five years after being released on the island or the whole thing started over.

I think all poachers should be subject to this kind of punishment, It would sure do a lot to cleaning up the problem of poaching.

 

[Deleted member 33033]

I think poachers should be permanently denied hunting or fishing licenses, have all their gear confiscated and lose their right to own firearms just like felons. After that, repeat offenders get a minimum 10 year sentence in a state sponsored rape cage. Perhaps once they are bought and sold for cigarettes for a while, then the poachers will think twice.

 

[asaxon]

Poaching and other F&G violations

I agree with Bubblehide and others, given the number of people and the fact it was going on over a decade, the fine was zip. It probably would have cost them nearly that much for out of state licenses and tags alone. Unfortunately, most courts that deal with much more human on human crime tend to make little of F&G violations, at least here in CA. I see that frequently in California regarding ocean "fishing" (fishing and diving violations) although more recently the wardens/courts have been getting much better. Confiscation of diving gear is standard (generally that is a few thousand $ worth of stuff) etc. An interesting idea put forward that will never happen is to have designated F&G judges who hear these cases and how have an interest in the area, e.g. take it more seriously than many judges who because of their lack of connection with the subject, don't.

 

[#1Predator]

I think poachers should be permanently denied hunting or fishing licenses, have all their gear confiscated and lose their right to own firearms just like felons. After that, repeat offenders get a minimum 10 year sentence in a state sponsored rape cage. Perhaps once they are bought and sold for cigarettes for a while, then the poachers will think twice.

I agree, with conditions. Only the "serious" violations ((repeat offenders, selling of wildlife for profit (except legit commercial trappers and/or businesses), so called "trophy killers" who take the antlers and leave the rest, etc.)) should be considered for the harshest sentences. The guy who forgets his fishing license; the 12 year old who, without a hunting license, is caught shooting ground squirrels with his dad, etc. should receive a lesser sentence or just a stern warning.

Years ago, wardens use to think outside the box. Judges are eager and amused with "out-of-the-box" suggestions, especially by game wardens. A person who was caught a few times fishing without a fishing license was fined but was also required, per the warden's suggestion and as part of their restitution, to buy a lifetime fishing license. A hunter who violated the law was required to pay the fine and attend 10 Hunter Education classes (again, after the warden suggested this action in court) at his expense in which he would tell his story to each class of young new hunters while the arresting game warden watched his confession in order to assure his compliance. Warden's are required to attend a certain number of HE classes every year to evaluate the HE instructors anyway so why not bring a little realism into the classroom?

Fines should only be part of a poacher's sentence. Get creative and see what happens.