Our Sit On Their Nuts And Do Nothing M D C

[Smalliebigs]

This story just shows how screwed up it is out there.I commend this guy but ther were way too many plea bargins and not strong enough penalties.At least there are some prosecuters who will do something even if it's not even close to what we need.

[ness]

I wouldn't be so quick to condemn the number of pleas. That's often the reality of things -- there can only be so many cases tried, and they've gotta prioritize. A plea doesn't mean they got off scott free either. For all we know, the pleas involved fines, loss of privileges, community service, forfeiture, whatever.

[ness]

I like Larry's idea of letting these guys know we appreciate it. I'm gonna fire off a couple letters when I can find the time. Also going to try to track down addresses for those CAs involved and their supervisor. I'll post them here when I find them.

[Gavin]

Maybe mail your pictures of gigged smallmouth to the prosecutor's and CA's in the counties were your finding them along with a brief note thanking them for their efforts? It couldnt hurt.

[exiledguide]

It seems like everyone is to be commended for the job well done. I have to wonder about the average fine and cost of less than 300 dolars. Who was the judge involved. It would seem that he doesn't really think poaching is very serious. If you want to stop poaching you have to make examples of anyone caught poaching. What this judge has done is to tell poachers if you have around $260 in your pocket go ahead and poach the fine will just be a part of your cost to poach.

It has got to be frustrateing for enforcement officers to see these guys walk out of court with a slap on the wrist from a good old boy judge'

[drew03cmc]

Nice find Chief. I am pleased that these guys are doing what we have talked about needing done for years on this site. Thanks fellers.

[ness]

It seems like everyone is to be commended for the job well done. I have to wonder about the average fine and cost of less than 300 dolars. Who was the judge involved. It would seem that he doesn't really think poaching is very serious. If you want to stop poaching you have to make examples of anyone caught poaching. What this judge has done is to tell poachers if you have around $260 in your pocket go ahead and poach the fine will just be a part of your cost to poach.

It has got to be frustrateing for enforcement officers to see these guys walk out of court with a slap on the wrist from a good old boy judge'

You do know how averages work, right? Some higher, some lower. And, fines aren't the whole story anyway. Look at the big picture, and I think this is a pretty good bit of news.

The only thing I'm upset about is Craig won't answer the phone so I don't know when my elk mount is gonna be ready

[Wayne SW/MO]

I wouldn't be so quick to condemn the number of pleas. That's often the reality of things -- there can only be so many cases tried, and they've gotta prioritize. A plea doesn't mean they got off scott free either. For all we know, the pleas involved fines, loss of privileges, community service, forfeiture, whatever.

Very true and court cases cost money that could be used to further prosecutions.

[bigredbirdfan]

I fail to see the squirrel inference in the thread topic. Can someone help me out?

[AdMaven]

Are rattlesnakes protected in MO? The article mentioned a rattlesnake skin.