I agree with Ben... And I hope you laugh at this, Isn't it "Screwed the Pooch" ? And, I find it BS that you actually still receive the fine for being honest. I get the lost tag consequences, and the loss of the animal to a food bank or something but getting the same fine as someone who got "caught" rather than being honest. Something wrong with that. I would hope that dishonest people get far worse.
Wow, that is rough. I commend you on your honesty, that's just as upstanding as it gets. It's unfortunate they railed you so hard because of it. Do not beat yourself up for taking the moral high road that very few others would likely have taken.
Sorry to hear about this. That's a good buck and like others have said, alot of guys are letting an arrow fly on that one myself included. I think they need to reevaluate that 13" restriction. How in the world are you supposed to tell? Sounds like it's a roll of the dice every time.
that buck would have died under 13" of old age eventually.... thats some bs nice mature whitetail. am glad u have more integrity than your state dnr.....
Can't believe you still got a fine for it.. MAD respect for doing that though, also congrats on the buck.
Hate that for you. When Antler restrictions first began in Pa. I had a good buddy shoot a 4 point when the regs called for 3 pts on one side. (he assumed brow tines and the buck had none) He too took the high road, gutted it, dragged it, and turned himself in. He had to go to court and was humiliated publicly by the Judge, ridiculed and called names. He paid his fine which was expected. But the way he was treated...I'd never do it, that deer would come out under darkness and be cut up, or walked away from.
I would definitely fight that. There should be some leniency given especially since you fessed up. I accidentally killed a turkey out of season once and checked it in. The next day, I turned myself into the warden. No heavy fines were given but he said that he had to give me something. I did 9 hrs community service and that was it. I hope it works out for you. Good luck! Your actions are commendable.
What more is there to say when I think Ben said it the best! I am willing to put money on it that most of the other hunters would of left the deer become yote food! You have my respect as a HUNTER!
TX keep your chin up. Integrity is a virtue, and like it has been said you can't buy that. You're a hell of an honest man. On the other hand the state should have paid you for doing your part to weed out that skinny gene. That deer has great tines and it's a shame for him to only be 12.5" wide. he was never going to be much wider. Any one seeing those G2's would have laid that smack on him. Don't let this eat you up!
Sorry to hear about that Greg. Rob, in the rest of America we may screw the pooch, but in Tx, they do everything much larger - they include everything on the porch and the porch too! (Hope that give you a smile Greg)
Man your character cant be bought! I admire you for that w/o ever meeting you. That is a nice buck and seeing him broadside there is no way anyone would think he would be 13inches. Dont agree w/ the spread rule. Keep your head up
How the hell is one supposed to know that the spread is 13" or not ? I mean, come on ?!?!?! I guess it's a good way to get people to shoot bucks out passed their ears, because, thats obviously over 13", but, to put an actual measurement restriction is crazy. Congrats on getting one down. Sorry the circumstances were not different. You played the cards legally, when you realized what had happened, and, that is commendable..
Stupid Inside spread restrictions!! This Is exactly what happens. So sorry to hear of this Greg. I too commend you on what you did. None the less, congratulation's on your buck my friend!!!
its a hard pill to swallow and pretty f'd up all the way around but honesty and conviction in your values will reward you in the long run and i cant wait to see you holding that monster deer and i'm pulling for you! good luck and safe hunting!
TX it was an accident, im sure you learned from it and I am proud of the way you handled the situation. I have seen pics of Bucks that would score 140 with less spread that 13", I hate those kind of restrictions.
Makes me mad to think about it. I would definitely fight it. Very Respectable thing you did, I can't believe they just kicked you while you were down like that...
