Don't manipulate your grain

[three11]

I'm sorry if I offended anyone. I don't have an issue with law enforcement when it is fair and just. I DO have an issue with a $30,000 ticket. Period.

[torch]

I was told by a federal game warden that you must enter and exit the same way as not to spread grain. The safest way to do a standing crop is not to hunt it. I have found that rolled rice fields and just plain old disked up ground is the only way not to manipulate.

[LawDawg]

I know two people that were involved in this, Wingman and Judge Sanders. I promise that if the guy got a $30,000.00 fine, it was deserved. Judge Sanders is a big hunter and a genuinely fair guy. I know nothing about the case other than that, but knowing those two guys is enough to satisfy me that the punishment fit the crime.

[Plainsman04]

Talked to a few men from down that area.... Seems the boys reputation precedes him, and not favorably. Sounds like he's lucky that's all he got ......considering.

There has to be more history to this story than just this one hunt... You don't get that heavy of a penalty unless there is a back history. Probably lucky that is all that could stick that day.... No loss of hunting privileges or was that part of the plea?

... And don't compare a pest deer to a federally protected migratory bird.

More to the story as in dumping truck loads of corn in "said hole".

In light of what sounds like some potentially damning evidence, perhaps I got on my soapbox a little too soon and said perpetrator deserves what he got. Carry on.

[torch]

I know two people that were involved in this, Wingman and Judge Sanders. I promise that if the guy got a $30,000.00 fine, it was deserved. Judge Sanders is a big hunter and a genuinely fair guy. I know nothing about the case other than that, but knowing those two guys is enough to satisfy me that the punishment fit the crime.

I think Judge Sanders is fair but Lacey Act is NOT.

[skywalker]

I dont think anyone ever said anything 'bad' or out of line toward Wingman. Why cant people be questioned? Comes with the territory of being a pubIic servant. I am a minister, and I get questioned alot, but I sure don't play the 'take my ball and go home card' just because people question my actions. I keep going back to the $30k fine......I don't think I'll ever be convinced that's 'justice' for baiting....no matter how upstanding the parties involved are; common sense seems to be very lacking when it comes to waterfowlers and those who oversee the activities. One question that begs asking is: are other hunters in the area held to the same standards currently and over the course of a career or have some been let to slide? I appreciate all who serve the public, but that does not mean the public may not scrutinize or request future information.

[feather]

I'm trying to help but this is what happens: a smart Alec reply. I'm through.

Rob,
I personally really appreciate what you do by doing your job, and trying to help us from screwing up.

Roger that....

[BIG TIMBER]

To me it's the Fact that these fines for wildlife offense's have gotten out of control! It's amazing that people still hunt with all the grey area that are in the laws. There is no way that you can convince me that a $30,000 fine fits the crime of running over corn stalks that proab didn't have 20 kernels left on them. I have been on the other end of a $#!+ fine, Like I said before its all going to hell in a wheelbarrow and the government is pushing it!

[maverick21]

I dont think anyone ever said anything 'bad' or out of line toward Wingman. Why cant people be questioned? Comes with the territory of being a pubIic servant. I am a minister, and I get questioned alot, but I sure don't play the 'take my ball and go home card' just because people question my actions. I keep going back to the $30k fine......I don't think I'll ever be convinced that's 'justice' for baiting....no matter how upstanding the parties involved are; common sense seems to be very lacking when it comes to waterfowlers and those who oversee the activities. One question that begs asking is: are other hunters in the area held to the same standards currently and over the course of a career or have some been let to slide? I appreciate all who serve the public, but that does not mean the public may not scrutinize or request future information.

That's quite possible, but without knowing the full details of the involved parties then I'm of the thought that having some one as engaging and helpful as wingman is a good thing. I've gotten several tickets due to wildlife in my dumber years and most were deserved to willful ignorance or my not knowing the law pertaining to what I was doing wrong. I've also dealt with some A-holes who were just dorks flexing a badge who would give a ticket to the pope, but over all they are all doing their job.

I and several I know have the ability to leave standing crops for ducks are probably over the top on rules to do it the right way. Same entrance, same exit. But some of the "what if the dog knocks it down, what if I walk out in it" are just ridiculous. Every time I've been checked on a hint with flooded crops had been handed with common sense and fairness. The same people complaining about this guys fines could be the ones complaining about no ducks when they are all piling into a baited field.

[Deltamud77]

Somewhat of a different topic, but certainly applicable is what the Feds are also doing to the Gulf Fishery. They use bogus data to make it impossible to actually enjoy the Gulf for recreational fisherman. The Fed waters snapper season for non-commercial fishermen is 2 days. As recently as 5 or 6 years ago, it was basically all summer. They have done the same for a multitude of other species that are arguably overpopulated (like the trigger fish) as well.

The only logical conclusion that I can reach is that the feds actually don't want you hunting or fishing. When you look at the fact that a large majority of the Washington bureaucrats making these decisions are bleeding heart progressives, it makes perfect sense.

As to the case at hand, the guy did take a plea to these two offenses. Common sense tells you that he agreed to this fine to avoid something much more severe. That tells me that he got caught doing something that likely would have put him in jail and they dropped that charge in view of the plea.

[420 racin]

"I've also dealt with some A-holes who were just dorks flexing a badge who would give a ticket to the pope"

So Maverick, It sounds like you have meet our game warden around Vicksburg!!!

[maverick21]

Ha, well I've met many from all over the state!

I think one thing we can all agree on is we need some cold weather and more birds.

[GrizwalD]

.

[wudduk]

Why would the game warden choose to write this guy up for a $30k fine instead of just writing him several "normal" tickets. Because I'm sure other people have been caught doing the same thing and didnt have to pay 30k in fines. Was it something personal for him to throw the "book" at this guy?

[torch]

Somewhat of a different topic, but certainly applicable is what the Feds are also doing to the Gulf Fishery. They use bogus data to make it impossible to actually enjoy the Gulf for recreational fisherman. The Fed waters snapper season for non-commercial fishermen is 2 days. As recently as 5 or 6 years ago, it was basically all summer. They have done the same for a multitude of other species that are arguably overpopulated (like the trigger fish) as well.

The only logical conclusion that I can reach is that the feds actually don't want you hunting or fishing. When you look at the fact that a large majority of the Washington bureaucrats making these decisions are bleeding heart progressives, it makes perfect sense.

As to the case at hand, the guy did take a plea to these two offenses. Common sense tells you that he agreed to this fine to avoid something much more severe. That tells me that he got caught doing something that likely would have put him in jail and they dropped that charge in view of the plea.

Deltamud you hit it on the head. The Feds made me where I will never guide a duck hunt or fishing trip ever again. The fines and jail time don't fit the crimes. Take Gibson Guitar, Ted Nugent or me and they enforce vague laws that the average "joe" can't afford to defend himself. 97% of all federal charges end up in a plea deal. That's why its gotten out of hand. If I could go to the Casino and win 97% of the time that's where I would live.