Alaska Moose Kill Criminal Charges

[Rio Laxas]

http://www.adn.com/article/20141003/moose-kill-near-homer-fish-and-game-official-brings-charges

Moose kill near Homer by Fish and Game official brings charges

A state wildlife biologist who claims to have gone to extra lengths to find a moose he wounded while hunting near Homer is in trouble now.

The Homer News reports 33-year-old Jason Herreman, area wildlife supervisor for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, has been charged with using illegal means to kill a moose and with unlawful possession of game. The charges stem from an Aug. 23 hunt and the Aug. 24 use of an aircraft.

Interesting case. I hope it goes in Herreman's favor, as it looks to me like he went out of his way to take the ethical path. I understand and support the reasoning behind making it illegal to use an aircraft to assist in hunting game, but to extend that to salvage seems like an overreach.

 

[Bobson]

Based solely on the information in your post, I'm tempted to agree with you.

However, given that he works for DFG, it seems a bit unwise on his part to use the plane, despite his desire to be ethical about having wounded the animal. In that sense, this looks a lot like a case where a guy who knew better opted to seek forgiveness rather than ask permission.

 

[HRnightmare]

I appreciate if his concern was genuine...but it seems FISHY.

 

[Captcurt]

Ethical? Maybe, but it is a classic case of, if you let one person do it then you should let all of them do it. Finding a wounded animal is the right thing to do but he still broke the law.

 

[jmr40]

but he still broke the law.

That is the question. According to the link provided it seems that the way the law is written he may not have broken any laws. This scenario was never considered when the law was written and the wording of various laws contradict each other.

 

[Bobson]

Ethical? ... Finding a wounded animal is the right thing to do but he still broke the law.

I think most would agree that ethics are significantly more complicated than simply aligning with what the law says is right and wrong. You just affirmed that he did the right thing while breaking the law (even if, as jmr40 pointed out, he didn't break it after all).

 

[Frostbite]

I support the idea of doing everything in one's power to find an animal one wounded and finish it as soon as possible so it does not suffer any longer. The law sometimes dictates a different way. Just and lawful are not always the same