The 2017 Poaching Epidemic

[buckbull]

I married an attorney, which BTW I recommend you never do, so I have a little insight into what goes on the court room. My county is probably like many that you live in. Judges get alot of heat from folks asking "Why don't you just lock them up", "Why are they being released early", etc. In our case, our county jail was built in the 1960's and has a capacity of 160 persons. Its never been updated. The same "Lock em folks" are the same ones that keep voting down the tax increase to increase the capacity of the jail. The jail currently holds around 350 folks at a any given time. Inmates are double or tripled up in a cell, leading to alot of violence and makes it dangerous for the employees of the jail. Judges are pressured by the county chairmen to reduce the number of folks in the jail; thats why you see so many guys being released early on probation. Judges see some horrendous cases of child sexual assualt, rape, and murder. So when a poaching case comes across their desk, it really does pail in comparison to the other 100 cases a day they may see.

I guess its my long winded answer to say that jail time for poaching offenses really isn't in the realm of possibilities even if the judge has the power to assert such a penalty. Other methods of punishment such as fines, probation, loss of gun ownership, etc. are probably more doable. I think mandatory volunteerism to a conservation organization would be great and perhaps that experience would make the offender reflect on their misdeed and lead them down a better path. If that doesn't work, we can always cut off their junk and stuff it down their throat like kidoggy says.

 

[AKaviator]

I'm a retired game warden and have dealt with a large variety of "poachers" over the course of my career. My hunting partner is a superior court judge who specialized as a wildlife law attorney prior to judgeship. We've discussed these issues at length.

Nothing is black and white when it comes to sentencing guidelines for poaching. I agree that I would rather not see many cases with jail time issued, but I want it as an option for those that need it. Heavy fines alone are not always a deterrent to those that have more money than they need.

Revoking hunting privileges isn't much of a deterrent to hard core poachers who don't care if they have a license or not.

Forfeiture of guns and equipment deters some folks too, especially if it's a special firearm or a boat or airplane. But forfeitures only get the things that are used in the crime. You can't revoke their right to firearms unless it goes to a felony conviction.

I still argue for specially trained prosecutors and judges that care about wildlife issues and aren't afraid to lower the boom! Put the maximum sentences at a level that makes voluntary compliance of the law preferable to committing the crime and possibly getting caught, especially for any repeat offenders!

 

[fackelberry]

I say you confiscate everything used in the crime, gun, binoculars, pickup truck, boat, plane, whatever it is. Auction the stuff off and give the money to the game and fish to use for any wildlife enhancement projects or equivalent. Also give them a big fine and a time frame to pay it, and if time frame isn't met, garnish the amount due from their tax returns every year! Most people count on that for extra income, you take that "guaranteed" money away when they need it, that will hurt some.

 

[fackelberry]

Here is another thing to ponder that goes along with poaching! What do you guys think about people who fish and keep more than what the creel limit specifies? Isn't that like fish poaching? Our G&F department here in Wyoming had to restock one of the best Walleye fisheries around with millions more Walleye fry, yes i said millions! That was last year. I have lived here my whole life and never heard them have to stock the lake before, the Walleye spawn and restock itself. There is alot of tournaments on the lake which contribute to alot of dead fish, but the lake gets hit hard in the summer from alot of other fisherman also. I have heard and read of G&F catching some non-residents with 5-6 times their limit of 6 walleye. So 1 person had 36 Walleye. I think those people should get a hell of a fine, not fish here for years and lose alot of the stuff involved in that overfishing! Like shooting 5-6 deer on a single deer liscense. You can see in a few years that would wipe out alot of deer!

 

[JimP]

The biggest problem with fishing violations are usually residents. I have seen cases where a person goes out in the morning and catches their limit and then goes home for a couple of hours and then comes back for another limit. If the fishing is good they can usually make 3 or 4 trips from the water to their homes in a single day having a full limit each time.

Sometimes non residents are just dumb and don't pay attention to what the rules and regs say on the number or size of fish. They figure that every state is the same.

 

[BuzzH]

I think the reason many people poach is because its easy to get away with and the average person does NOT report wildlife crimes.

We all hunt and we all know when something looks suspicious. If in doubt, gather solid information, license plates, pictures, video, time, date, gps coordinates, description of the poachers, etc. etc. etc. Have a pen and note pad in your pack and handy at all times. It does no good to tell a warden I saw some guy in a white truck poach a deer in Wyoming...gather the evidence.

I work in the field about 7 months a year, and I've reported multiple wildlife crimes, usually at least 2-3 a year, its a chronic problem and more widespread than most think. WE are the eyes and ears out there that law enforcement needs.

IME, there is still reluctance to turn people in for wildlife crimes...many still view it as something on par with a speeding ticket. Its not, its theft, theft of the resources that we all care about, pay for, and spend our time enjoying. Ignoring poaching and not turning people in is the same as condoning it. Make the call...