He did all that and he got caught. However, he did NOT trespass. He did not hunt without a license. He did not slaughter 100 deer.
Ya know how it's illegal to hunt without a license? Getting caught for speeding is one thing. Speeding without a license is another entirely. Same concept. Why is that so hard for YOU to understand??? Maybe the law makes no distinction but since folks are judging the content of his character and making wild assumptions, maybe that should be a consideration 'here'.
Having a drivers license does not give you the privilege to disobey the speed limit, nor does it give you the right to run red lights, drive drunk or run down pedestrians. There are fines here for driving excessively over the speed limit that are excessive compared to driving 10 mph over. Driving without a license gives you another ticket, but the fact you have one is no justification for breaking the rules, nor should it give you a break on fines that are already in existence. You noticed the guy did not get fined for hunting without a license, only fined and punished for crimes he committed, and those fines were well within known guidelines. The fact he did not trespass has nuttin' to do about legitimatizing his other actions. Odd are, because he was on private land, his crimes were less obvious and harder to detect.
So it's okay for you to defend them but not for me to criticize them? The laws don't apply to me so I should keep my mouth shut? How convenient. So I can assume you think it's okay to hang the guy for shooting a deer? I notice you didn't respond to that comment.
I didn't respond because I did not perceive that as being realistic, nor applicable. At one time tho, folks were executed/hanged for poaching game in England. Doubt if it will ever come to that here, nor do I think it appropriate. No body here said anything about keeping anyone's mouth shut, only giving their opinion also. My post was in regard to folks steadfastly trying downplay/defend the actions of the poacher.
Look gents, I have not once in this thread condoned or defended his actions. .
Then what were all those posts about him having a tag to fill? What about the above post claiming he had a license? What about your statement that since he had a tag and was hunting on his land he was not stealing from others? Somehow, to me and others that does seem to be a defense tactic.
.....there it is again.
Follow the money. Deer hunting is BIG business in the US. Anytime big money wants their way they get it. Now I deer hunt, but I don’t take it to the extreme. I try to put 6-8 in the freezer to eat every year. I do it legally. I shoot them off of property I own. I do not have to buy a license but I do, every year. I can not shoot those same 6-8 deer, and eat them, in August when they are eating my peas with out paying a heavy fine for each. (Follow the money).
I guess what I am saying is that this was a chance for Big Business to extort $20,000 from a guy because they could. If it would have been a 75lb doe the fine would have been ALOT less. There is not as much money to be made off of a small doe as a nice large buck. No he wasn’t a trophy but he was, as my brother would say “ a good’ern “
Yes, if it had been a 75 # doe, it would have been a lot less, as per the definitions included in the new trophy hunting regs. You are correct, deer hunting is big business in this country. Big deer attract hunters and promote outfitters. Again, that word extort comes up, even tho that isn't going on here. The state of California is not trying to get rich off these new regs. Their intent to to eliminate the poaching of trophy animals. If they are successful in this attempt, there will be zero income propagated. Don't see how that is extortion or greed. State DNRs/F&G are not "Big Business". Most of them run in the red every year because they have no other methods to produce money for operations/Wardens than from license/permit sales. Fines are generally inconsequential the cost of prosecuting and man hours lost in enforcement generally makes the fine imposed moot. Odds are the $20,000 the poacher paid will never be noticed within the immense budget. This is not a small town trying to fill it's coffers with tourist money from speed traps. This is trying to make the opportunities for trophy animals equal for all the follow the rules.
BTW....the fine for the illegal shooting of a trophy turkey under those same rules is $5000 and a year in jail. The definition of a trophy turkey is either 1" spurs, an 8" beard or both. Around here that is just average. But, the fine is not what the bird is worth, but what you're out if you get poaching it. Big difference.
