Wow, Stiff punishment? Really?

[Knocker of rocks]

How about serving their time as prisoners at the zoo, under the watchful eye of warder Spink?

[elk247]

The circumstances are that the animal was essentially a well known neighborhood pet, the animal was shot while trespassing on private land, the animal is considered a trophy, and the men bragged about their kill to others including to a WDFW enforcement officer. 

If this was simply a mere lapse in judgment, they need a judgment readjustment.

They made several decisions along the way, any of which would most likely have mitigated the outcome. They chose to trespass. They chose to kill an animal without a valid license and tag. They chose to not report it. They chose to brag about it.

We all make mistakes, and when we do there are often consequences. Two days in jail seems reasonable considering the facts.

Didn't they ask the undercover warden to take the picture while they posed with the buck? These guys knew better. I would hope the punishment not only teaches them but others as well.

[20 Minutes]

I found 6 freshly boned out elk along the side of the road, in an area I hunt last Fall. I figured it was locals, as this area has had a poaching problem for years. The following weekend, I came back down to hunt and I found some additional freshly boned out elk added to the pile.

I reported it to the game department and asked she send someone out to investigate. She said poaching goes on all over Wa, so they would not send someone out? I asked her; why don't they setup a trail camera or sting operation to try and catch these guys? She said they do what they can and she is sure that officiers in the area are aware of it.

I have a big problem with the response I got from the game department.

[elk247]

Wow, thats a garbage response. A trail cam seems like the least they could do.

[20 Minutes]

Wow, thats a garbage response. A trail cam seems like the least they could do.

She basically said that due to the lack of officiers in the area, that they would make note of it and that is it. Seems like BS too me.

[elk247]

I found a cow elk head and hide in a heafty bag during the opening week of elk season about 10 yards from the road in an 3 pt+ unit. It was definatly poached.  I didn't even report it. Figured it would be a waste of there time and mine. At least you tried.

[20 Minutes]

I can understand if they are in their busiest time of the year and your reporting 1 dead elk; but to find 6 poached and dumped at the intersection of a main road 1 week, then find another 4 the next week piled up with them; that I have a problem with. Especially since this GMU has an ongoing poaching problem for years.

They sell deer and elk jerky year round at the bars in town. I am guessing that jerky meat is poached. You don't get that much jerky out of an elk. When you sell it year round it does not last that long. I think that is part of the problem with poaching. Locals feel like it is their right to go out and shoot an animal whenver they want, because they live there. Others just thril kill them and let them lay. Now hoof rott and wolves will be the next to take their turn. All this pisses me off!

[huntnnw]

Until crimes against humans receive larger penalties the punishment is fine for the crime and 1st offense...people on here want to see people locked up longer than people getting drunk and killing someone

[winshooter88]

The mandatory wildlife poaching fine in this state for illegal take of a trophy (4 point or better) deer is I believe $4000 and cannot be reduced by a judge. For a trophy bull elk, a bighorn sheep, mountain goat or a moose is $6000. These fines were put in place a few years ago, the WDFW sought these criminal assessments because the courts were very quick to reduce or remove the fines on poaching cases.

[hdshot]

Wow, thats a garbage response. A trail cam seems like the least they could do.

Then what if they get a dude or two on a trail cam? If animals are boned out they won't be holding the head of other parts to prov 100% what animal they had.

The poaching case posted is very obvious.  Unfortunately if a hunter makes an honest mistake they will face the same punishments and we know as hunters how tricky laws can get.  This side of the tree season is closed and to the right season started with any buck, behind it is 4 point with 1 more day of the season after today, and to the left is any deer today on private property with a hunt with written permission sign. 

These laws are so messed up the law does not even know whats going on.  One time I knew the area but someone made a false report on me and the sheriff showed up.  After a little chat schooling him he still took all my info and kicked me off to do his "investigation" of public hunting that was register to hunt.  Wasn't worried about getting in trouble but still very upset about it to this day 

[Pathfinder101]

The mandatory wildlife poaching fine in this state for illegal take of a trophy (4 point or better) deer is I believe $4000 and cannot be reduced by a judge. For a trophy bull elk, a bighorn sheep, mountain goat or a moose is $6000. These fines were put in place a few years ago, the WDFW sought these criminal assessments because the courts were very quick to reduce or remove the fines on poaching cases.

That sounds correct to me.  Like I said, these guys got hit with more than it said in the news story. Stuff that CANT be reduced by a touchy-feely judge...

[hdshot]

The mandatory wildlife poaching fine in this state for illegal take of a trophy (4 point or better) deer is I believe $4000 and cannot be reduced by a judge. For a trophy bull elk, a bighorn sheep, mountain goat or a moose is $6000. These fines were put in place a few years ago, the WDFW sought these criminal assessments because the courts were very quick to reduce or remove the fines on poaching cases.

That sounds correct to me.  Like I said, these guys got hit with more than it said in the news story. Stuff that CANT be reduced by a touchy-feely judge...

The officer said jail and community service.  Does the law state 4000 per person or 4000 per deer?  Sounds like the fine could of been split between the 2 poachers and paid off by jail time and community service? It comes down to what the prosecutor wants to charge and what the judge enforces.  That's why we vote for these people or for the people who put them in.   

I'm sure the news would of loved to have reported the $4000 or $8000 in total fines.

[elk247]

Wow, thats a garbage response. A trail cam seems like the least they could do.

Then what if they get a dude or two on a trail cam? If animals are boned out they won't be holding the head of other parts to prov 100% what animal they had.

The poaching case posted is very obvious.  Unfortunately if a hunter makes an honest mistake they will face the same punishments and we know as hunters how tricky laws can get.  This side of the tree season is closed and to the right season started with any buck, behind it is 4 point with 1 more day of the season after today, and to the left is any deer today on private property with a hunt with written permission sign. 

These laws are so messed up the law does not even know whats going on.  One time I knew the area but someone made a false report on me and the sheriff showed up.  After a little chat schooling him he still took all my info and kicked me off to do his "investigation" of public hunting that was register to hunt.  Wasn't worried about getting in trouble but still very upset about it to this day

If they get a dude or two with 8 different boned out elk we got a problem. I don't want to see people accused of poaching. If there is evidence though, guts with female organs in a bull only unit, bucks or bulls harvested in july then throw the damn book at the lowlifes responsable. It easy to see that laws are messed up,  mistakes are made, but downright poaching, spotlighting and such is b.s.

[beak-in-the-barrel]

I'm pretty sure that's stiffer punishment than catching a wanted thug with a stolen pistol. It seems like those guys get a slap on the hand.

[Pathfinder101]

The mandatory wildlife poaching fine in this state for illegal take of a trophy (4 point or better) deer is I believe $4000 and cannot be reduced by a judge. For a trophy bull elk, a bighorn sheep, mountain goat or a moose is $6000. These fines were put in place a few years ago, the WDFW sought these criminal assessments because the courts were very quick to reduce or remove the fines on poaching cases.

That sounds correct to me.  Like I said, these guys got hit with more than it said in the news story. Stuff that CANT be reduced by a touchy-feely judge...

The officer said jail and community service.  Does the law state 4000 per person or 4000 per deer?  Sounds like the fine could of been split between the 2 poachers and paid off by jail time and community service? It comes down to what the prosecutor wants to charge and what the judge enforces.  That's why we vote for these people or for the people who put them in.   

I'm sure the news would of loved to have reported the $4000 or $8000 in total fines.

Has anyone ever heard of perpetrators "splitting" a fine?  I am pretty sure that's not possible.  Only one guy actually poached the deer.  He would get the fine.  They other *censored* would just be an accomplice.  Different penalties.  I am sure they both got jail and community service though.  Probably why it was reported that way.