Poached Bulls in the Blues

[floatinghat]

The fine for poaching say big game animals regardless of trophy class or not should be like $25,000 per animal no if ands or buts. That way I'm not paying for another idiot in prison and its more harsh to make people consider not doing it a lot more. Oh and lose all future hunting and fishing privileges.

I am not happy with the result but what occurs in this suggestion when they simply can not pay?   Bigtex, how much of this is actually collected and in what timeframe, what happens if they don't/can't pay?

[buglebrush]

Looks like another example of why we need mandatory minimum penalties set so that these idiot judges and prosecutors can't let these scum off with slaps on the wrist.

In examples like this I agree, but it is always a bad idea to immediately legislate off of one instance.   

I knew of two teenage boys who went elk hunting for their first time ever.  Their dad's didn't hunt, so no real experience or teaching growing up.  They were lucky, and dropped an elk.  In their excitement they didn't properly tag the animal.  It was an innocent mistake, and they certainly weren't poaching.  However the Gamey threw the book at them.  I for one am glad in cases like this that their judge had a choice on how heavy their fine should be.  Mandatory penalties don't take into account the circumstances.   

[bobdog86]

Looks like another example of why we need mandatory minimum penalties set so that these idiot judges and prosecutors can't let these scum off with slaps on the wrist.

In examples like this I agree, but it is always a bad idea to immediately legislate off of one instance.   

I knew of two teenage boys who went elk hunting for their first time ever.  Their dad's didn't hunt, so no real experience or teaching growing up.  They were lucky, and dropped an elk.  In their excitement they didn't properly tag the animal.  It was an innocent mistake, and they certainly weren't poaching.  However the Gamey threw the book at them.  I for one am glad in cases like this that their judge had a choice on how heavy their fine should be.  Mandatory penalties don't take into account the circumstances.   

Agreed, pretty simple in my opinion, "does the punishment fit the crime?" in this case not sure it does….