His guilt got the best of him!

[Smossy]

I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the Mule Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organization.

WDFW is just gonna use it to protect and import more wolves

[bigtex]

I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the Mule Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organization.

Donations go into the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Account which helps fund WDFW investigations and provide rewards for poaching tips. This is the same account where the "criminal wildlife penalty assessment" funds go into when someone illegally kills big game or protected wildlife.

[Smossy]

I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the MuLe Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organization.

He claimed they had their palms out. I don't think it went to there salary's. and they to are owners of the critters also! I am not sure, but I'm sure there are some moose and goose employee's on this site that will tell you were the money went. I believe it went back into enforcement or reward money for whistle blowing sportspeople. My point is he did a stand up thing to make up for a bad. He had 40 years to get away with it and now some people don't think how he tried to fix it is good enough!  In addition... if you poach White tale why should you give the money to the dang Mule boy's..

Both partys are right. It was a great thing he did "paying for his mistake" based off current laws and regulations, but there ARE other things he could of done with that money that will actually show for it.

[Smossy]

I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the Mule Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organization

Donations go into the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Account which helps fund WDFW investigations and provide rewards for poaching tips. This is the same account where the "criminal wildlife penalty assessment" funds go into when someone illegally kills big game or protected wildlife.

Proof?

[bigtex]

I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the Mule Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organization

Donations go into the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Account which helps fund WDFW investigations and provide rewards for poaching tips. This is the same account where the "criminal wildlife penalty assessment" funds go into when someone illegally kills big game or protected wildlife.

Proof?

That's how it works.

RCW 77.15.425
Fish and wildlife enforcement reward account.
 
The fish and wildlife enforcement reward account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Deposits to the account include: Receipts from fish and shellfish overages as a result of a department enforcement action;....... The department may accept money or personal property from persons under conditions requiring the property or money to be used consistent with the intent of expenditures from the fish and wildlife enforcement reward account.

[Smossy]

I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the Mule Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organization

Donations go into the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Account which helps fund WDFW investigations and provide rewards for poaching tips. This is the same account where the "criminal wildlife penalty assessment" funds go into when someone illegally kills big game or protected wildlife.

Proof?

That's how it works.

RCW 77.15.425
Fish and wildlife enforcement reward account.
 
The fish and wildlife enforcement reward account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Deposits to the account include: Receipts from fish and shellfish overages as a result of a department enforcement action;....... The department may accept money or personal property from persons under conditions requiring the property or money to be used consistent with the intent of expenditures from the fish and wildlife enforcement reward account.

Touche lol well if the shoe fits..

[THunt]

When someone poaches a deer they dint pay their fine to the Mule Deer Foundation.  While I think that in alot of cases the money would be used more effectively that is not who you pay for fine to.  You pay your fine to WDFW.  So in this mans mind to clear himself of the wrong deed, he payed the Wdfw just like to would of if he got caught.  I think its a pretty stand up thing to do.

[Alan K]

Sad thing is, if it were more recent they'd probably revoke his hunting rights.  I've heard multiple stories of guys hitting cows by accident, or shooting a two point buck swearing it had three points. . . They tried doing the right thing and calling it in so that someone could utilize the meat, and they got the book thrown at them just as though they'd been a serial poacher for 50 years.  I've also heard that the penalty is the penalty, so leniency is out of the question even if enforcement wanted to go easy on them.   

And maybe there was more to the stories than what you've heard

Very well could be, they were all heard second hand.  Didn't seem to be any reason not to believe them though, they called themselves in.  The story of the cow getting hit was down in a timbered hell hole, and the hunter was offering to pack it out even if the meat were to go to the some sort of shelter. He wasn't even expecting to be able to take it himself.  From that I gather that there was about 0 chance he was actually caught and just said he called it in. 

Maybe bigtex can answer to what I'd heard as far at the penalty. . . Is it true that there is no leniency in wildlife crimes? If you call yourself in and do the right thing so to say, you're prosecuted/penalized the same as anyone else, even a serial poacher?

[GoldTip]

Pretty cool story, but have to admit, if he did it back then to feed his family, I hold nothing against him whether he sent the check in or not.

[dreamunelk]

40+ years ago things were a lot different then they are today.  Just saying....

What ever person he was then he did what he felt was the right thing to do now.

[C-Money]

Pretty cool story, but have to admit, if he did it back then to feed his family, I hold nothing against him whether he sent the check in or not.

  And the big thing is the man feels he paid his debt, and has a free mind now. No more worrying about it. Class act. Wish more folks ended up having this level of honor.

[elkh8me]

I applaud Roy. 

[Kowsrule30]

Don't really know what to think on this one... Kinda weird... My Gramps use to shoot a few doe a year out of his orchard or crops for meat back in the 80's and nobody thought anything of it..... I know times have changed but??    

[buckfvr]

Takes all kinds.............my thought is this is one of the loose ends hes takin care of before he tries to get in heaven.  Nothing more.   

[Bean Counter]

Definitely a unique story that's for sure.

I wonder if he knew that the statue of limitations had ran out? Still a great jester for a 40 year old crime.. I don't think the fine would of been that back then.

What is the statue of limitations on a case like this anyway?