Dumb Hunters

[saread]

So, I decide to go muzzy hunting because there are fewer hunters and, I would hope, more savvy hunters.  Well, I'm in the brush for about an hour when I run across a couple of hunters (down with theory 1) who are sweating up a storm and tell me that one of them got three shots (!) at a little buck and he thinks he hit it with the last shot from 40 yds. or so.  They're looking for the deer.  I say cool, I'll jump in and help out.  After a short search they turn up the buck, again cool.  I mosey over and take a look and they've got down a nubbin' 2 point.  All well and good, except, the unit is Gardner (231); 3 pts or better for muleys and any white tail buck.  The deer they have down ain't no white tail.  The shooter and his son are ecstatic, it's his first deer (!).  I say, "Boys, I hate to burst you're bubble, but this is a 3 pt. or better area."  The response from son (who was taking dad hunting) was that he'd read the regs twice and this was an any buck area (so much for theory 2).  Now I'm not too bright, but I know for sure that you don't argue with people carrying guns.

I gotta say that I really expected more from my first day muzzy hunting.  I'm not going to say that you necessarily need to be able to read to be able to handle firearms safely.  But if you are going to hunt in this day and age, you darn well should be able to read and understand the regulations.  That area is 3 points or better without a doubt and it wasn't hard to figure out.

[Bean Counter]

Good choice in picking your battles. I'm glad I read this story by you and not in the newspaper 

[agchawk]

 I sincerely hope that you reported this to the game department. There is no excuse whatsoever IMO that would make this acceptable and it needs to be reported.

[Machias]

Please tell us you turned them in.   

[saread]

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.

[agchawk]

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!

[agchawk]

Oh yea....just one more thing (I promise).

  Someone one here may be able to help me out on this. Isn't it also a crime when you know or witness someone committing a crime and do not report it? (BTW, I know the answer to this question and feel that these folks need to be punished on a similar level as the folks that actually commit the act)

[carpsniperg2]

yep you should make a report of it. it was not legal and you should report it.

[dirty24d]

ruh roh raggy..

it's probably too late now. but if they are dum enough to take it to a butcher an ethical butcher may look into the regs possibly and report it?   

[Bob33]

You should turn them in.  They will be repeat offenders otherwise.  That hurts all the ethical hunters.  Plus - you may end up getting 10 bonus points for deer or elk permits.  Sorry - ignorance of this sort is no excuse.

[alecvg]

I agree, I would report without a doubt.  Would be stupid not to.

[dirty24d]

   and when you report them you should make it clear with the officers and possibly the local police that you are fearful of what reprocussions may come from you filing the report.  they should be able to squash that issue quickly..

[NWBREW]

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.

[ICEMAN]

Fear from retribution, from a father and his son? Not many father and son combos out there are going to make a trip back to an area and search out the individual who they think might possible have turned them in.

Do the right thing and report it. Try to set a good example instead of turning the other cheek.

[unluckyjohn]

down with theory 3? hows that all working out for you? Subject: Dumb Hunters... that fits for the 3 of you