Gigging Is Stupid

[Feathers and Fins]

Five years in jail? I'm all for strong enforcement of game laws, but five years and a felony for someone fishing without a license or keeping undersize fish, or breaking some other minor game law three times? No, that's way too much. It would have to be something very, very serious like poaching game for commercial reasons for that to seem right in my mind.

Habitual Offender is showing no care, no respect and no regards for the law. That is not minor IMO that is no better than a poacher or for commercial reasons. Do you go out without a buying a license? I doubt it even if you forgot it the warden can verify you bought it. Do you keep undersize fish? I doubt it as you know the law and size limits. Size limits are real simple to understand the book is right at the same register you buy the license at and if not there its online and easy to find and read. Minor forgetfulness is one thing Intentionally doing it isnt, and there is the differance one is a honest mistake one is not. The ones who dont care will care when they are sitting with Bubba in the big woodshed.

[ness]

Don't you reckon if they are already caught doing something illegal that not being able to purchase a once a year piece of paper probably ain't gonna be much of a deterrent anyway???? At least we are still getting some of their money once they have their privileges reinstated.

I mean if you loose the privilege for a year or more, you didn't just make an innocent mistake. And taking their license is not going to stop them. "Oh crap fellas, I can't go poaching with you, I don't have a license. I won't be able to go with you for a couple of years. Ol' sheriff Prater caught me and took me to the Judge and they yanked my privileges for two years. Next time he said he'll take them forever! Sure don't want to get caught poaching without them!"

Sorry -- just saw this response.

I agree -- pulling a license isn't a huge deterrent to the habitual poacher, just like pulling a driver's license isn't going to stop someone who wants to drive. My point was really that the 'point' system Gavin referenced didn't seem to punish too severely, allowing more than one severe infraction before losing privileges. The possibility of multi-year or lifetime loss of privileges would be a deterrent to 'decent folks' though.

BTW, the MO non-resident hunt/fish license I just purchased was $142 including the 'internet convenience fee'. I think that puts me in the 'decent folks' category.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Habitual Offender is showing no care, no respect and no regards for the law.

Exactly. And that was my point in my earlier post. Taking away their license is not a deterrent. Time in the slammer may be though.

Do you go out without a buying a license? I doubt it even if you forgot it the warden can verify you bought it.

Actually the MDC can call a into the computer bank, from their cell in the field if they have reception, and verify if you have a permit or not. I know from experience.

Minor forgetfulness is one thing Intentionally doing it isnt, and there is the differance one is a honest mistake one is not. The ones who dont care will care when they are sitting with Bubba in the big woodshed.

I stand behind you here. Problem will be the DA's and Judges. They can be as big a problem as the poachers themselves.

[fishinwrench]

5 years in jail might as well be a life sentance, I always wondered how a person with a mortgage and children could possibly recover from that? Even 1 year for that matter. You'd loose your house, your job, probably your wife too..... which means you'd owe about 5-8k in child support when you got out, wouldn't have a drivers license until that was paid off, and would be limites to finding work within walking distance from your, uh.... Tent.

Life Over!

[Chief Grey Bear]

BTW, the MO non-resident hunt/fish license I just purchased was $142 including the 'internet convenience fee'. I think that puts me in the 'decent folks' category.

Yeah, I'd say you are decent folk.

[Chief Grey Bear]

5 years in jail might as well be a life sentance, I always wondered how a person with a mortgage and children could possibly recover from that? Even 1 year for that matter. You'd loose your house, your job, probably your wife too..... which means you'd owe about 5-8k in child support when you got out, wouldn't have a drivers license until that was paid off, and would be limites to finding work within walking distance from your, uh.... Tent.

Life Over!

Sounds like a pretty good deterrent to me too.

[ness]

5 years in jail might as well be a life sentance, I always wondered how a person with a mortgage and children could possibly recover from that? Even 1 year for that matter. You'd loose your house, your job, probably your wife too..... which means you'd owe about 5-8k in child support when you got out, wouldn't have a drivers license until that was paid off, and would be limites to finding work within walking distance from your, uh.... Tent.

Life Over!

Nah, just go to the boss and ask him to have your crew take care of your wife until you're out. That's all the child support she'll need. Capiche?

[ness]

Yeah, I'd say you are decent folk.

As soon as I buy me some legal boots I can go fishin

[Justin Spencer]

5 years in jail might as well be a life sentance, I always wondered how a person with a mortgage and children could possibly recover from that? Even 1 year for that matter. You'd loose your house, your job, probably your wife too..... which means you'd owe about 5-8k in child support when you got out, wouldn't have a drivers license until that was paid off, and would be limites to finding work within walking distance from your, uh.... Tent.

Life Over!

You could make the money back writing a country music song about it.

[ozark trout fisher]

Habitual Offender is showing no care, no respect and no regards for the law. That is not minor IMO that is no better than a poacher or for commercial reasons. Do you go out without a buying a license? I doubt it even if you forgot it the warden can verify you bought it. Do you keep undersize fish? I doubt it as you know the law and size limits. Size limits are real simple to understand the book is right at the same register you buy the license at and if not there its online and easy to find and read. Minor forgetfulness is one thing Intentionally doing it isnt, and there is the differance one is a honest mistake one is not. The ones who dont care will care when they are sitting with Bubba in the big woodshed.

What Fishinwrench said pretty much...

Listen, I can't stand people who fish without licenses, keep undersized fish, or do any of these things that we're talking about. But are you willing to hit someone with a felony and five years in jail, which could pretty much ruin their life, for getting caught keeping undersize fish three times? I know I'm not. I'm good with relatively short jail sentences, or really, really hefty fines, but when you are talking about 5 years that just seems way over the top.

Our prisons are already over-crowded with violent criminals and drug dealers...Let's not add in all the idiots that don't buy fishing licenses.