Atlas.....If I gained knowledge of a poacher shooting a buck on your property or the neighboring property with a .270 on the opening morning of Bow Season, or better yet, in a BOW ONLY ZONE....would you blast me for turning him in...or thank me? A guy, yes a GUY, 19 year old GUY, not a 6 year old innocent child eating his cheerios, this guy has been around long enough to know not to rifle hunt in a bow only zone......he got what he had coming, as did his father and uncle. Canada, MN, CA, NY, or my back yard, doesn't matter, he was a poacher. Sure at 19 you don't know everything as compared to say 30, but he knows enough to realize the consequences of his actions...and he took the chance anyway. Many of you would be singing a MUCH MUCH different tune, had the guy shot it across YOUR property line with a rifle during bow season....that is undeniable. 19 or not...... He wasn't just dumb enough to poach a deer and then enter it in a contest (posed with another weapon mind you), he then went on to BRAG about it and ARGUE with those who smelled something fishy.
And that IS where the story ended as far as the contest went...someone watching in put "Bow Only Zone" and a rifle kill picture together, and figured 2+2=4, and called the authorities....because this wasn't in your backyard it is wrong to do?
No, I shouldn't, that's the point. I didn't turn this guy in, he's not a buddy of mine either. The difference is, I wouldn't hold it against the guy who turns in a buddy of mine for drinking and driving, or better yet call him names and act like HE did something wrong, my buddy took the chance knowing the risks and it didn't work out for him....tough break, guess he'll know better than to do something that stupid next time. If someone saw my friend swerving and driving wrecklessly and called the cops and he got a DUI, should I be pissed at the caller and blast them for doing the wrong thing? I WOULD (well probably, situation depending) cross a fence to retrieve, difference is...if someone turned me in I wouldn't hate them for it (I'd hate them for not letting me cross in the first place when permission was sought)....I crossed the fence to get my downed deer knowing the risks involved. I wouldn't hold OTHERS accountable for MY actions. Jeff, I don't care enough to call in someone in NC either....just pointing out that it wouldn't be WRONG of me to do so. I know no one here was the poacher, but why is it so hard for people these days to take responsibility for what they did? If you break a law, blame someone else. If you cheat, it's because it was unfair to begin with. If you get turned in for doing something wrong, it is the persons fault that called you in for being caught, not yours for doing it in the first place. Obviously wasn't directing that at you Jeff, just saying.
I know, that's why most of my points were directed elsewhere. Many have said they found it ridiculous or wrong, I just can't see how. I see why people wouldn't do so themselves, as I didn't, but to blast those who would makes no sense. I'm out fellas, UK is tipping off with Notre Dame .
atlas, your arguments are such a stretch that it's not even funny. I guess if you go shoot a deer out of season with a rifle, we should look the other way, too? Oh... we should only if a person is a 19-year-old. I guess we should re-write all the wildlife regulations to say "unless you're a 19-year-old..." Or perhaps you'd prefer " unless you're a 19-year-old committing his first offense, then the Law shall turn its face and issue a 'shhh... don't do that again because NEXT time we MEAN it.'" Wake up. and it appears you're so good at quoting everyone in your retorts (never seen someone do that before) but you ignored my post. The fact that it was in some sort of fantasy hunting contest as you say only served to GIVE HIM AWAY. It was his CRIME that convicted him and aroused the ire of the hunting community! And don't say it didn't because only one person called him in. (If it hadn't, this thread wouldn't be so popular.) Ever heard the statement that "evil flourishes because good people stand by and do nothing"? It's based on truth. Most people detest what the man did, and rightly so. They just didn't have the guts to make the call.
Honestly, I believe the kid should have been caught by authorities in his area, other than someone a hundred miles away.
Does it matter how the person that made the call found out? A contest, a phone call, insert any other form of communication?
That quote had nothing to do with how someone found out. The fact of the matter is, people got pissed because he cheated (tried to) in the bowhunting contest at HNI.
Jeff, I have heard you say the first numerous times. That's why the second and some other posts surprised me.
I read his apology that was linked...I was not there so I have no dog, but he admitted to alot of wrong doing. Using old tags, another guys doe tag, 2 bucks in a season, etc. Alot of you guys keep pointing out that is was a "fun only" contest that got him caught. If you are willing to cheat (and I am sure he is not the only one) in such a contest and do all the things he stated in his "apology" then so be it...his punishment that is.
Fair enough, the way you put it at first and have in the past made me think that you cared about all poachers, not just NC poachers. I guess I just had you pegged as a man who had believed in the "principle" of things more, as most of your posts refect that.
Jeff: Didn't intend to....didn't think I did. I just questioned your logic for the sake of debate. I thought you, if anyone, would see that for what it was. I won't ask any more questions. No I don't.
Look who's talking! I have never and will never hava a stache. And yet I am sure you have never been without yours! Sorry about the thread jack but Peak started it! LOL
Holy Schmoly AMan caught a typo. That is some education you got there AMan. Thanks for pointing that out. You are such a hero to the unfortunate.
