Yes, it is a true spike unit. I've heard that several illegal elk were shot during modern season. As for taking the weapons it depends on the circumstances, if they turned themselves in they would most likely get a ticket and lose the elk, if they tried to hide what happened and got caught with or without the elk and the enforcement officers can prove the case, they have the authority to due much more, like weapons and vehicle confiscation. They can actually take whatever they can prove was used in the commission of the crime, including guns, optics vehicles, tents or trailers, knives, pretty much anything. It really depends on how much of an jerk you decide to be towards them.