Washington Griz Poached

[GoldTip]

I would agree that it sounds as if it was unintentional, and truth be told there's probably a lot of guys that hunt that area that have never seen a Grizzly.  Where they made their biggest mistake in my book is not turning it in when they were told/realized exactly what it was.  And that's what is buying them all this trouble,

[halflife65]

They are going to get in trouble for poaching - just as if you accidentally shot a 2 point buck in a 3-point + area. I've seen some absolutely whopper 2 points in the past and it would be pretty easy to shoot quickly based on evident size of the antlers (at least with a rifle) but, knowing this, I was always really careful to identify the buck before pulling the trigger.

Unlikely that any excuses will be accepted for this...  It was probably a mistake given that evidently they were driving around and showing it off but they are going to pay for it.  Trying to hide it is going to make it much worse for them...

[bjersti09]

*censored*es like this is why our hunting laws get screwed!

[woodywsu]

I remember hearing about this a few years ago, but kinda forgot about it. I've met these two gentlemen and I would have to say their hunting background is not up to par for any hunting license. They saw a bear and shot it. Took it into town and someone told them it was a griz. So they haul ass to warden and bury it out on Cox's property. Few weeks later, F&G show up and start looking. Ended up with FG digging up the carcass and giving them a ticket.

[C-Money]

I know a person that knows the two guys that did this. It is unfortunate but here is the story I got. They were hunting for Black bear on a rainy day. The bear that was killed was soaking wet and the hair was matted down and dark in color when killed. Sounds like it was a mistaken identity. From what I am being told the hunters are good people. The hunters did not know what they had killed untill sometime later. Take these statements for what they are, second hand info. I do not know them myself.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I know a person that knows the two guys that did this. It is unfortunate but here is the story I got. They were hunting for Black bear on a rainy day. The bear that was killed was soaking wet and the hair was matted down and dark in color when killed. Sounds like it was a mistaken identity. From what I am being told the hunters are good people. The hunters did not know what they had killed untill sometime later. Take these statements for what they are, second hand info. I do not know them myself.

Mistakes get made - that doesn't make them acceptable.  Not acceptable to try to hide it either.  That latter makes it poaching in my book. 

I'm mostly concerned about the potential for restrictions on legal bear hunting due to too many *censored*es not being sure of what they are shooting.  Hikers, moose, grizzly bears - none of these are excusable. 

It only takes a few bad acts for all of us to lose a season, a hunting area ... that is why we cannot condone "mistakes".  If we as sportsmen don't have zero tolerance for bad acts by other hunting license holders - we all stand to lose.   

[bowhunter1972]

  get a rope 

[C-Money]

Listen guys, I am not really gonna take sides. It is a real shame any way you look at it. My above post was information only. I never want to see any action that harms my rights to hunt or have firearms. Hope it gets solved in a manner that dose not infringe on hunting activity. From what I was told these are good people that made a mistake.

[SHANE(WA)]

shoulda taken it back and set it on fire lol, why on earth if you messed up and take it to them? so they can still nail you, This state sucks, u try to do the right thing and they will nail you no matter what. Then you wonder why people try to hide it  well no *censored*, they shot a grizz and didnt know,  thats why they frickin burried it!!! Did they screw up yes.

[WAcoyotehunter]

Sorry fellas but for me anyways, it's a clear case of poaching, whether it was intentional or not.  Morons

I agree.  You need to know what you're shooting at or have the self control to pass on a shot on a questionable animal.

[jackelope]

Sorry fellas but for me anyways, it's a clear case of poaching, whether it was intentional or not.  Morons

I agree.  You need to know what you're shooting at or have the self control to pass on a shot on a questionable animal.

X2, or
x10...where ever we're at.

[Ghost Hunter]

Sorry fellas but for me anyways, it's a clear case of poaching, whether it was intentional or not.  Morons

I agree.  You need to know what you're shooting at or have the self control to pass on a shot on a questionable animal.

X2, or
x10...where

And they didn't recognize it before loading it up and hauling home No excuse, no logic can excuse it.

[hangumhi]

I'll add to this since I've known these guys for over twenty five years.  These two guys are a couple of the nicest guys you could ever know and they made a mistake.  The way this state has their laws setup, once they realized what they had MISTAKENLY done they knew they would certainly face large penalties if they reported it so for their family's sakes they disposed of the body...I'm with the person who suggested earlier that they should have burned it instead of burying it.  I will tell you that they have a good friend that is a good taxidermist so they could have stuffed this thing and bragged about it if they were that type of guys but that ISN'T the case at all!  All of you who are suggesting to hang them are ridiculous; imagine if your son or daughter made the same mistake; would you suggest jail time for them? These guys in no way shape or form belong in jail; they are upstanding citizens who made a damn mistake and yet they're facing the same sentence as manslaughter??? As disappointed as I am that a Grizzly died uselessly, it's a damn bear and these two young men will have to suffer along with their families for the rest of their lives.  It was raining and I would bet that 80% or better of these guys posting previously with such judgemental attitudes have made mistakes while hunting that were illegal.  I certainly have made mistakes; I've known a lot of guys who have shot hens or a two point in a three point area or caught a fish and kept it only to find out the area was closed...I could go on forever but you get the point.  Monetary fines won't bring this bear back nor will jail time and they're obviously not dangers to society so quit with the get a rope attitude.

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

I agree with hangumhi. For the incedental killing of a griz does not warrant jail time. There are drug dealers on the street while a bear killer coul dbe in jail??? Lets use some thought here. Should they feel it, yes. They made a mistake, and they need to not make it again. But jail time is a little harsh.
Fine them (sure) take there hunting privledges away (sure) but no jail...

[Machias]

I understand you standing up for them.  I happen to have a friend who's in similar hot water concerning a canine caper.  I personally don't have a big problem with the initial mistake they made, although they should have made dang sure before they pulled the trigger.  It was once they figured out the mistake, yes it would have hurt, but not nearly as bad as it's gonna hurt now.  They should have went and turned themselves in right away.  They would have been hammered, just not nuked like now.