Post by: Hawgdawg on March 20, 2013, 02:10:59 PM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police
Sooooooooo, being in law enforcement, we see A LOT of strange things in the world (and I do mean A LOT!). But last week we were pleasantly surprised by something we have literally never seen before.... an act so unusual, we are still awestruck.
We received the following letter, along with a $6,000 check, from a man who decided it was time to right his wrongs, 40 years after the fact:
To Wash. Dept. of F&W -
The enclosed check for $6,000 is to make restitution for 3 illegally killed whitetail does I took between the years 1967 thru 1970 in Washington State. I recently spoke to Captain Richard Mann in Spokane. He suggested I contact the Dept. of F&W law enforcement in Olympia if I wished to make my payment as a donation to the WDFW Law Enforcement Program. My conscience has not allowed me to put this sin to rest until now. I know that God has forgiven me and hope that WDFW will as well. I hope this check will help in Washington State WDFW Law Enforcement Programs. -Roy
Thank you, Roy, for making us smile and reminding us that those who have made poor choices in the past (let's face it, who hasn't?) have the power to change their course in life and ultimately do the right thing.... no matter how much time has passed. :)
Post by: Hawgdawg on March 20, 2013, 02:18:17 PM
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on March 20, 2013, 02:19:36 PM
Post by: bobcat on March 20, 2013, 02:20:44 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 20, 2013, 02:23:26 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on March 20, 2013, 02:25:24 PM
I'd like to think I could do the same. What a great thing to do.
Poach deer? :chuckle:
Post by: pianoman9701 on March 20, 2013, 02:27:39 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on March 20, 2013, 02:31:34 PM
lol, no! :chuckle: :chuckle: I've never poached anything. I made some mistakes when I was younger.
do tell. :chuckle:
Post by: bigtex on March 20, 2013, 03:29:44 PM
That was some expensive meat. :yike:
He paid the civil penalty that he would have faced had he done the crimes now. $2K a head.
Post by: 6x6in6 on March 20, 2013, 03:31:22 PM
So does he get the points for turning in a poacher?:chuckle:
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on March 20, 2013, 03:33:20 PM
Post by: Mudman on March 20, 2013, 03:34:32 PM
Post by: Gringo31 on March 20, 2013, 03:36:22 PM
Post by: bigtex on March 20, 2013, 03:39:41 PM
Does the WDFW still have a Law enforcement division? Arnt they run by WSP now?
No. Only Oregon and Alaska operate that way.
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on March 20, 2013, 03:40:35 PM
Post by: C-Money on March 20, 2013, 04:57:48 PM
Post by: bigtex on March 20, 2013, 05:03:34 PM
Fish and Wildlife officers in WA are ran by the State Patrol. They have the same power as WSP, just focus more so on F&W enforcement.
100% False!
Their only connection to WSP is they are dispatched by them, as are all other state law enforcement agencies and some federal.
Post by: Alan K on March 20, 2013, 05:20:47 PM
Post by: C-Money on March 20, 2013, 05:21:02 PM
Fish and Wildlife officers in WA are ran by the State Patrol. They have the same power as WSP, just focus more so on F&W enforcement.
100% False!
Their only connection to WSP is they are dispatched by them, as are all other state law enforcement agencies and some federal.
I just made a call, and Bigtex, you are right! I always figured they were connected to WSP due to when I work with them they always have WSP CRs, and at times WSP logo paperwork. Anyway, I appreciate the F&W officers as they have been there for me more than once and are very professional.
When I read the story, I thought that this man probably killed the deer to feed his family. Glad the man did what he had to do to get his conscience right. :tup:
Post by: Hawgdawg on March 20, 2013, 09:37:54 PM
So does he get the points for turning in a poacher?
Post by: JLS on March 20, 2013, 09:45:40 PM
Sad thing is, if it were more recent they'd probably revoke his hunting rights. I've heard multiple stories of guys hitting cows by accident, or shooting a two point buck swearing it had three points. . . They tried doing the right thing and calling it in so that someone could utilize the meat, and they got the book thrown at them just as though they'd been a serial poacher for 50 years. I've also heard that the penalty is the penalty, so leniency is out of the question even if enforcement wanted to go easy on them. :dunno:
And maybe there was more to the stories than what you've heard :dunno:
Post by: KFhunter on March 20, 2013, 09:50:51 PM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police
Sooooooooo, being in law enforcement, we see A LOT of strange things in the world (and I do mean A LOT!). But last week we were pleasantly surprised by something we have literally never seen before.... an act so unusual, we are still awestruck.
We received the following letter, along with a $6,000 check, from a man who decided it was time to right his wrongs, 40 years after the fact:
To Wash. Dept. of F&W -
The enclosed check for $6,000 is to make restitution for 3 illegally killed whitetail does I took between the years 1967 thru 1970 in Washington State. I recently spoke to Captain Richard Mann in Spokane. He suggested I contact the Dept. of F&W law enforcement in Olympia if I wished to make my payment as a donation to the WDFW Law Enforcement Program. My conscience has not allowed me to put this sin to rest until now. I know that God has forgiven me and hope that WDFW will as well. I hope this check will help in Washington State WDFW Law Enforcement Programs. -Roy
Thank you, Roy, for making us smile and reminding us that those who have made poor choices in the past (let's face it, who hasn't?) have the power to change their course in life and ultimately do the right thing.... no matter how much time has passed. :)
The only point of contention I have is that he should have begged forgivness from the people of the State of Washington, not the WDFW.
Post by: Smossy on March 20, 2013, 09:53:25 PM
Post by: Hawgdawg on March 20, 2013, 10:07:09 PM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police
Sooooooooo, being in law enforcement, we see A LOT of strange things in the world (and I do mean A LOT!). But last week we were pleasantly surprised by something we have literally never seen before.... an act so unusual, we are still awestruck.
We received the following letter, along with a $6,000 check, from a man who decided it was time to right his wrongs, 40 years after the fact:
To Wash. Dept. of F&W -
The enclosed check for $6,000 is to make restitution for 3 illegally killed whitetail does I took between the years 1967 thru 1970 in Washington State. I recently spoke to Captain Richard Mann in Spokane. He suggested I contact the Dept. of F&W law enforcement in Olympia if I wished to make my payment as a donation to the WDFW Law Enforcement Program. My conscience has not allowed me to put this sin to rest until now. I know that God has forgiven me and hope that WDFW will as well. I hope this check will help in Washington State WDFW Law Enforcement Programs. -Roy
Thank you, Roy, for making us smile and reminding us that those who have made poor choices in the past (let's face it, who hasn't?) have the power to change their course in life and ultimately do the right thing.... no matter how much time has passed. :)
The only point of contention I have is that he should have begged forgivness from the people of the State of Washington, not the WDFW.
Don't cast stones if you live in a glass house. do you walk on water too!
Post by: KFhunter on March 20, 2013, 10:17:24 PM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police
Sooooooooo, being in law enforcement, we see A LOT of strange things in the world (and I do mean A LOT!). But last week we were pleasantly surprised by something we have literally never seen before.... an act so unusual, we are still awestruck.
We received the following letter, along with a $6,000 check, from a man who decided it was time to right his wrongs, 40 years after the fact:
To Wash. Dept. of F&W -
The enclosed check for $6,000 is to make restitution for 3 illegally killed whitetail does I took between the years 1967 thru 1970 in Washington State. I recently spoke to Captain Richard Mann in Spokane. He suggested I contact the Dept. of F&W law enforcement in Olympia if I wished to make my payment as a donation to the WDFW Law Enforcement Program. My conscience has not allowed me to put this sin to rest until now. I know that God has forgiven me and hope that WDFW will as well. I hope this check will help in Washington State WDFW Law Enforcement Programs. -Roy
Thank you, Roy, for making us smile and reminding us that those who have made poor choices in the past (let's face it, who hasn't?) have the power to change their course in life and ultimately do the right thing.... no matter how much time has passed. :)
The only point of contention I have is that he should have begged forgivness from the people of the State of Washington, not the WDFW.
Don't cast stones if you live in a glass house. do you walk on water too!
Don't twist what I wrote into something else.
It's pretty cool he did that, but I wish he'd have put the 6k into something else and that WDFW would have talked him into something more productive to do with that 6 grand instead of being so quick to show the guy their palms.
Post by: Hawgdawg on March 20, 2013, 10:32:54 PM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police
Sooooooooo, being in law enforcement, we see A LOT of strange things in the world (and I do mean A LOT!). But last week we were pleasantly surprised by something we have literally never seen before.... an act so unusual, we are still awestruck.
We received the following letter, along with a $6,000 check, from a man who decided it was time to right his wrongs, 40 years after the fact:
To Wash. Dept. of F&W -
The enclosed check for $6,000 is to make restitution for 3 illegally killed whitetail does I took between the years 1967 thru 1970 in Washington State. I recently spoke to Captain Richard Mann in Spokane. He suggested I contact the Dept. of F&W law enforcement in Olympia if I wished to make my payment as a donation to the WDFW Law Enforcement Program. My conscience has not allowed me to put this sin to rest until now. I know that God has forgiven me and hope that WDFW will as well. I hope this check will help in Washington State WDFW Law Enforcement Programs. -Roy
Thank you, Roy, for making us smile and reminding us that those who have made poor choices in the past (let's face it, who hasn't?) have the power to change their course in life and ultimately do the right thing.... no matter how much time has passed. :)
The only point of contention I have is that he should have begged forgivness from the people of the State of Washington, not the WDFW.
Don't cast stones if you live in a glass house. do you walk on water too!
Don't twist what I wrote into something else.
It's pretty cool he did that, but I wish he'd have put the 6k into something else and that WDFW would have talked him into something more productive to do with that 6 grand instead of being so quick to show the guy their palms.
Not twisted nothing. You spoke it. I'm just saying it was a stand up thing that he finally did and not many people would do such a thing. read the article the fish and feathers are even floored! Are you that perfect that you have never made a mistake? And if by a slight chance you might have....were you man enough to do what he did. Sleep well, it must be nice to be perfect!
Post by: KFhunter on March 20, 2013, 10:59:06 PM
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police
Sooooooooo, being in law enforcement, we see A LOT of strange things in the world (and I do mean A LOT!). But last week we were pleasantly surprised by something we have literally never seen before.... an act so unusual, we are still awestruck.
We received the following letter, along with a $6,000 check, from a man who decided it was time to right his wrongs, 40 years after the fact:
To Wash. Dept. of F&W -
The enclosed check for $6,000 is to make restitution for 3 illegally killed whitetail does I took between the years 1967 thru 1970 in Washington State. I recently spoke to Captain Richard Mann in Spokane. He suggested I contact the Dept. of F&W law enforcement in Olympia if I wished to make my payment as a donation to the WDFW Law Enforcement Program. My conscience has not allowed me to put this sin to rest until now. I know that God has forgiven me and hope that WDFW will as well. I hope this check will help in Washington State WDFW Law Enforcement Programs. -Roy
Thank you, Roy, for making us smile and reminding us that those who have made poor choices in the past (let's face it, who hasn't?) have the power to change their course in life and ultimately do the right thing.... no matter how much time has passed. :)
The only point of contention I have is that he should have begged forgivness from the people of the State of Washington, not the WDFW.
Don't cast stones if you live in a glass house. do you walk on water too!
Don't twist what I wrote into something else.
It's pretty cool he did that, but I wish he'd have put the 6k into something else and that WDFW would have talked him into something more productive to do with that 6 grand instead of being so quick to show the guy their palms.
Not twisted nothing. You spoke it. I'm just saying it was a stand up thing that he finally did and not many people would do such a thing. read the article the fish and feathers are even floored! Are you that perfect that you have never made a mistake? And if by a slight chance you might have....were you man enough to do what he did. Sleep well, it must be nice to be perfect!
Whatever :rolleyes:
The only thing I brought up was the people of WA own the wildlife, not the WDFW, and you jumped all over me for it. Are you of the mind WDFW owns the wildlife and we pay them for the privledge to hunt it? The Kings deer and all that right?
I still say that $6k could have been put to better use on a local wildlife project, maybe you can even think of some projects around your area.
You should have a good view off that tall horse.
Post by: Smossy on March 20, 2013, 11:04:02 PM
Post by: bobcat on March 20, 2013, 11:08:27 PM
Post by: Hawgdawg on March 20, 2013, 11:15:49 PM
I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the MuLe Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organization.He claimed they had their palms out. I don't think it went to there salary's. and they to are owners of the critters also! I am not sure, but I'm sure there are some moose and goose employee's on this site that will tell you were the money went. I believe it went back into enforcement or reward money for whistle blowing sportspeople. My point is he did a stand up thing to make up for a bad. He had 40 years to get away with it and now some people don't think how he tried to fix it is good enough! In addition... if you poach White tail why should you give the money to the dang Mule boy's..??????
Post by: Smossy on March 20, 2013, 11:18:08 PM
I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the Mule Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organization.WDFW is just gonna use it to protect and import more wolves :chuckle:
Post by: bigtex on March 20, 2013, 11:20:14 PM
I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the Mule Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organization.
Donations go into the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Account which helps fund WDFW investigations and provide rewards for poaching tips. This is the same account where the "criminal wildlife penalty assessment" funds go into when someone illegally kills big game or protected wildlife.
Post by: Smossy on March 20, 2013, 11:21:19 PM
Both partys are right. It was a great thing he did "paying for his mistake" based off current laws and regulations, but there ARE other things he could of done with that money that will actually show for it.I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the MuLe Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organization.He claimed they had their palms out. I don't think it went to there salary's. and they to are owners of the critters also! I am not sure, but I'm sure there are some moose and goose employee's on this site that will tell you were the money went. I believe it went back into enforcement or reward money for whistle blowing sportspeople. My point is he did a stand up thing to make up for a bad. He had 40 years to get away with it and now some people don't think how he tried to fix it is good enough! In addition... if you poach White tale why should you give the money to the dang Mule boy's..??????
Post by: Smossy on March 20, 2013, 11:23:18 PM
Proof? :dunno:I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the Mule Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organizationDonations go into the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Account which helps fund WDFW investigations and provide rewards for poaching tips. This is the same account where the "criminal wildlife penalty assessment" funds go into when someone illegally kills big game or protected wildlife.
Post by: bigtex on March 21, 2013, 12:24:28 AM
Proof? :dunno:I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the Mule Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organizationDonations go into the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Account which helps fund WDFW investigations and provide rewards for poaching tips. This is the same account where the "criminal wildlife penalty assessment" funds go into when someone illegally kills big game or protected wildlife.
That's how it works.
RCW 77.15.425
Fish and wildlife enforcement reward account.
The fish and wildlife enforcement reward account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Deposits to the account include: Receipts from fish and shellfish overages as a result of a department enforcement action;....... The department may accept money or personal property from persons under conditions requiring the property or money to be used consistent with the intent of expenditures from the fish and wildlife enforcement reward account.
Post by: Smossy on March 21, 2013, 12:32:10 AM
Touche lol well if the shoe fits..Proof? :dunno:I was thinking the same thing as KFhunter. Just seems like giving the money to the WDFW is like throwing it away. I think the WDFW should not have accepted it. Perhaps they could have suggested he donate it to the Mule Deer Foundation, or some other worthy pro-hunting organizationDonations go into the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Account which helps fund WDFW investigations and provide rewards for poaching tips. This is the same account where the "criminal wildlife penalty assessment" funds go into when someone illegally kills big game or protected wildlife.
That's how it works.
RCW 77.15.425
Fish and wildlife enforcement reward account.
The fish and wildlife enforcement reward account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Deposits to the account include: Receipts from fish and shellfish overages as a result of a department enforcement action;....... The department may accept money or personal property from persons under conditions requiring the property or money to be used consistent with the intent of expenditures from the fish and wildlife enforcement reward account.
Post by: THunt on March 21, 2013, 06:07:30 AM
Post by: Alan K on March 21, 2013, 06:39:20 AM
Sad thing is, if it were more recent they'd probably revoke his hunting rights. I've heard multiple stories of guys hitting cows by accident, or shooting a two point buck swearing it had three points. . . They tried doing the right thing and calling it in so that someone could utilize the meat, and they got the book thrown at them just as though they'd been a serial poacher for 50 years. I've also heard that the penalty is the penalty, so leniency is out of the question even if enforcement wanted to go easy on them. :dunno:
And maybe there was more to the stories than what you've heard :dunno:
Very well could be, they were all heard second hand. Didn't seem to be any reason not to believe them though, they called themselves in. The story of the cow getting hit was down in a timbered hell hole, and the hunter was offering to pack it out even if the meat were to go to the some sort of shelter. He wasn't even expecting to be able to take it himself. From that I gather that there was about 0 chance he was actually caught and just said he called it in.
Maybe bigtex can answer to what I'd heard as far at the penalty. . . Is it true that there is no leniency in wildlife crimes? If you call yourself in and do the right thing so to say, you're prosecuted/penalized the same as anyone else, even a serial poacher?
Post by: GoldTip on March 21, 2013, 06:58:14 AM
Post by: dreamunelk on March 21, 2013, 09:05:29 AM
What ever person he was then he did what he felt was the right thing to do now.
Post by: C-Money on March 21, 2013, 01:54:54 PM
Pretty cool story, but have to admit, if he did it back then to feed his family, I hold nothing against him whether he sent the check in or not.
:yeah: And the big thing is the man feels he paid his debt, and has a free mind now. No more worrying about it. Class act. Wish more folks ended up having this level of honor.
Post by: elkh8me on April 08, 2013, 02:20:02 PM
Post by: Kowsrule30 on April 21, 2013, 11:11:41 AM
Post by: buckfvr on April 21, 2013, 11:43:57 AM
Post by: Bean Counter on April 21, 2013, 12:29:21 PM
I wonder if he knew that the statue of limitations had ran out? Still a great jester for a 40 year old crime.. I don't think the fine would of been that back then.
What is the statue of limitations on a case like this anyway?
Post by: Bean Counter on April 21, 2013, 12:36:32 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on April 22, 2013, 06:01:17 AM
Definitely a unique story that's for sure.I wonder if he knew that the statue of limitations had ran out? Still a great jester for a 40 year old crime.. I don't think the fine would of been that back then.
What is the statue of limitations on a case like this anyway?
Probably 3 years
Post by: NWHydroprint on April 22, 2013, 07:15:19 PM
Post by: Northway on April 24, 2013, 05:59:36 PM
lol, no! :chuckle: :chuckle: I've never poached anything. I made some mistakes when I was younger.
Kids do stupid things. I witnessed numerous violations in high school, even though everyone held a healthy respect/fear for Bruce Richards (WDFW Officer).
I wouldn't stand for the stuff now I turned the other cheek to as a boy, and I hope most of the knuckleheads I knew in high school have matured in the same way.
Great story.