Dumb Hunters

[Little Dave]

The state's resources are limited.  It cannot hire enough enforcement officers to monitor all areas of the state all the time.  To keep hunting safe, wild populations balanced, and access to game we need to assist law enforcement.

In this particular case, there are at least few reasons why the incident should be reported.  Most have identified the violation of the regulations, a mule deer taken out of season.  Another reason is to aid the biologists in figuring the quotas for the next few seasons.  The incident can also be used as evidence that some hunters need more education on the difference between white-tailed deer and mule deer.

Regarding probability, if he was not able to tell the difference between one deer and the next, chances are he's probably not going to remember you very well either.

[wapiti hunter2]

This is an example of what the Eyes-in-the-Woods program is all about.  learn to record all relevant information and drop a dime on them. 

[BlackRidge]

There seems to be difference between ignorant folk and poachers...  ignorant folks just don't know, maybe because they're actually stupid (who knows), but poaching is a intended/conscious act. Not an accident  

These guys just seem like ignorant retards. "Oh, well if I read the regs twice, they must be right"  

I understand the risk involved with reporting this type of stuff, especially when you have these stupid folk w/ guns involved, and you dont know how they'd react, etc, etc but I would have reported them. From what you say, they seem to be bad shots, so you'd have the advantage if they came after you  

[spottedhand]

Reporting them is the first order.. There is areason for the antler restriction in that area.  Could have located their rig and copied license info as well.  Apparently, the father needed some role model refresher training.  All saiad and done you would have been doing them a favor...learning that there are consequences for breaking the law.

[Michelle_Nelson]

There seems to be difference between ignorant folk and poachers...  ignorant folks just don't know, maybe because they're actually stupid (who knows), but poaching is a intended/conscious act. Not an accident 

These guys just seem like ignorant retards. "Oh, well if I read the regs twice, they must be right"   

I do gree they should have been turned in because they did break the law.  Kinda sucks being that it was the kids first deer. 

[Bean Counter]

Point of clarification: When I said "way to pick your battles" I meant not throwing a pissing match in front of them. I would report it. I understand the OP's trepidation regarding safety. However, as another poster pointed out, you get 10 Usqueal points, and that would have counterbalanced the cost of finding a new hunting area last minute. 

[hirshey]

You find this caliber of hunter in ALL weapon choices:

My friend who was archery hunting last year had an arrow whiz by his head because another archer swore he was a deer. (doe? buck? apparantly it didn't matter)
My parents were muzzy hunting yesterday and watched a gent shoot at a buck and obviously hit it, then promptly travel in the opposite direction. My father chased it down hoping he could shoot it, but couldn't: it was a 2 point in a 3 or better area. The deer is certainly not going to make it but he could do nothing to relieve the animal of its suffering. He tried to track the fellow down but he had obviously realized his mistake and high-tailed it out of there.

Unfortunatly this type of person exists: we just have to do our best to neither emulate or accept this type of behavior. That includes turning them in when found. 

[Schmalzfam]

I hope you have a better experience in your hunts to follow. Stinks when people are so uneducated about the rules..rather annoying actually. Personally, I would have turned them in and I am sure next time you will. Have a great season!! Go get one.

[WestPlains_Drifter]

So, I decide to go muzzy hunting because there are fewer hunters and, I would hope, more savvy hunters.  ......

Unfortunately no matter where you look you are never gonna find a hunting method or season that fits your second goal. Morons are morons and they show up everywhere. I would like to think that the majority of us are responsible, rule abiding sportsman, but no matter what, there are always a few bad apples. Just this morning i had to explain this theory to my 5 year old under terms I would have rather not. She informed me that a nice "big" deer was laying down across the street. I shrug my shoulders and go look, sure enough a great looking 5x5 muley is laying down and breathing heavy. We stroll out front to take a look and notice the arrow hanging out of his gut. Archery ended last week for GMU 130, this guy has been through a rough time. The sheriffs office ultimately put him out of his misery. Lessoned learned though, and we spent the rest of the day talking about shot placement, with a 5 year old, I know!!! Probably a little too early.

[robodad]

Several years ago I ran into a couple hunters with 2 two point MD in their truck and they were adiment that they were both 4 points and after I tried explaining the west coast counting method (only one side) they both were completely embarassed and actually said they were going to locate a game warden and confess to their mistake. They really felt bad and so did I so I never reported it figuring they would do it themselves. Never heard if they actually did it or just high tailed it outta there before they got caught !!

[Skyvalhunter]

Wow be curious to see if when it is time to report their kill if they put in what they truly got. More so if the WDFW actually checks the kill reports against the regs.

[woodswalker]

Remember that deal about picking your battles?  This is the first day of hunting season and I really want to continue to hunt that area.  Getting busted for knocking down a 2 point in a 3 point area isn't going to get you anything more than a ticket.  I'm not going to be hard to find in that area, and it wouldn't take a degree in rocket science to figure out who made the call.  I'm a pretty good shot, but so are other people.  In this day and age, this is a risk that just isn't worth it.

   Sorry for sounding like a complete A**HOLE, but your comment above is one of the MANY reasons why we have such a problem in this state and why folks get away with it more often than not. Be a man, take a damned stand, and do the RIGHT thing. Turning a blind eye toward this sort of behavior is no better than encouraging it. You might as well help the idiots out and pack the damned animal to their truck for them IMO.

   Sorry guys and gals if I sound harsh, but I hear this sort of crap all the time and it really gets my blood boiling. I'll pipe down now and leave it be...but you will never catch me cowaring away from what I feel, and know, is the right thing to do!

I agree 100%  That may be ignorance but it is still considered poaching. I WILL ALWAYS TURN IN A POACHER......POINTS OR NO POINTS.

I've HAD those problems, turned in a local guy whose son had been in my hunter ed class not 5 weeks before...the sheriff, not the gamie, outed me in front of a bunch of the poacher's friends.  It was a JUST a bit hot there for a while.  I eventually got it settled down...but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

There is NO room for a poacher.  NONE,,,Grow some stones and report it.

[h20hunter]

I agree with just about everything, you really need to report it. Lots of room in the woods and you can always find a better honey hole and not have to share it with hunters of that type.

[Special T]

Elmer Fud and his son need a straightening out... I believe there is a difference between said Elmer Fud and a poacher.... That said, in this state if you make a mistake and own up to it you get rated like a poacher... I think this is wrong and  and only makes good sportsman into "un-ethical" hunters... I have a friend that shot a 3 point bull on accident, the bowstring hit his collar and moved his arrow 5yrd right and 6 yrds hi, making him miss his spike.... He called it in, gutted the animal and gave it to the Gamie, and got a fat ticket for his honesty. This is a guy who is as straight as 99% of the arrows he shoots... The state turned an advocate for superior sportsmans ship into someone who is apathetic to the higher calling of  superior sportsmans ship... I know other states have a large distinction/difference between people who turn them selves in vs those ho just get caught... I know when I archery hunted Arkansas there was a page that talked about the accidental killing of a "Button Buck" and what to do.. This being in a 4pt or antlerless area... It essentially said process the game and it would be donated to a food shelter and they would clip your tag... Sounds reasonable enough to me... Some one was educated, the general public didn't suffer too much, and you didn't turn a friend into a enemy.. 

[BlackRidge]

Remember that deal about picking your battles?  This is the first day of hunting season and I really want to continue to hunt that area.  Getting busted for knocking down a 2 point in a 3 point area isn't going to get you anything more than a ticket.  I'm not going to be hard to find in that area, and it wouldn't take a degree in rocket science to figure out who made the call.  I'm a pretty good shot, but so are other people.  In this day and age, this is a risk that just isn't worth it.

   Sorry for sounding like a complete A**HOLE, but your comment above is one of the MANY reasons why we have such a problem in this state and why folks get away with it more often than not. Be a man, take a damned stand, and do the RIGHT thing. Turning a blind eye toward this sort of behavior is no better than encouraging it. You might as well help the idiots out and pack the damned animal to their truck for them IMO.

   Sorry guys and gals if I sound harsh, but I hear this sort of crap all the time and it really gets my blood boiling. I'll pipe down now and leave it be...but you will never catch me cowaring away from what I feel, and know, is the right thing to do!

I agree 100%  That may be ignorance but it is still considered poaching. I WILL ALWAYS TURN IN A POACHER......POINTS OR NO POINTS.

I've HAD those problems, turned in a local guy whose son had been in my hunter ed class not 5 weeks before...the sheriff, not the gamie, outed me in front of a bunch of the poacher's friends.  It was a JUST a bit hot there for a while.  I eventually got it settled down...but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

There is NO room for a poacher.  NONE,,,Grow some stones and report it.

Sounds like a great Sheriff......

I'd have done the same thing. It doesn't take much of this oblivious behavior to start getting peoples attention... and not just other hunters. Hikers, politicians, etc... its just more fuel for their hate-fire.

It really is a privilege, I wish all these fools would treat it that way