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[LittleRedFisherman]

Wow, this hits close to home, I fish the Current at the Mouth of the Little Black some. Glad to see he got busted, makes me sick to see this picture. Makes you wonder how much of this goes on, and are never caught...

[Seth]

Hopefully they throw the book at them and make it a big deterrent, and then post the results of the prosecution to deter others.

I'm sure it will be little more than a slap on the wrist.

[Guest]

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[grizwilson]

We were gigging a creek here in SW MO the week after Christmas, boys were all in town. We were at least 1/2 mile off road, on private land. The local agent came right on down, across the hay field and through a large ditch and checked us out. He visited a bit and said that he had written 3 tickets in the past month for illegal gigging, so he is making a attempt. We told him that we appreciated the check and his efforts and invited him to the fry(he had to move on cover more ground). Wish I knew exactly where they were gigging those bass.... I have been telling people for years there were hardly any in that creek.....Hmmm!

g

[rFisherk]

Such a shame. Although I believe the majority of giggers avoid gigging bass, it doesn't take many outlaws to damage a fishery. I wonder how many hundreds of bass this jerk killed before he got caught? How many never get caught?

I primarily fish the Black and Current rivers, and on my early trips, I catch a few smallmouth with gig scars

on the Black, none on the Current (Owl's Bend to Log Yard). I think the difference is the amount of enforcement patrol on the perspective rivers.

If any of the bills I posted about on Conservation Issues passes, one of the things sure to be cut is enforcement. MDC agents already are stretched thin, in my opinion, and any reduction will give poachers free reign. What do you think fishing will be like then?

Check out the info in "2 Issues That...," join the Conservation Federation of Missouri and contact your congressmen. Tell them to keep their hands of our MDC.

[bs1827]

Where'd you find this article siusaluki? I'd imagine someone called this guy in as opposed to the agent just so happening to be there. We need more people to speak up and turn these poachers in to the MDC Agents!

I agree with MOsmallies. For years I've kept the Operation Game Thief phone number in my cell phone just in case I saw any kind of poaching/illegal activity. I've yet to use it, but it's nice knowing that I have it quickly accessible so some of these scumbags can be held accountable.

In case you're interested in programing the number into your cellphones:1-800-392-1111

[ALLSTAR1]

This is the worst kind of idiocy. Gotta say it.. gigging has gone over board with all the big jet boats, ridiculous light banks and excessive kills.. time to put and end to it. You can catch all the suckers you want to eat on worms in the spring. It has to end it is an archaic tradition that is no longer sustainable in todays environment. Easy to bust violators when they light up the river.

[MOsmallies]

This is the worst kind of idiocy. Gotta say it.. gigging has gone over board with all the big jet boats, ridiculous light banks and excessive kills.. time to put and end to it. You can catch all the suckers you want to eat on worms in the spring. It has to end it is an archaic tradition that is no longer sustainable in todays environment. Easy to bust violators when they light up the river.

I couldn't agree more ALLSTAR1!!!!! But it's not as easy to bust em as you'd think. Most poaching giggers are using private accesses and there's just not enough enforcement available.

I just read an article today written by a Conservation Agent. A Bald Eagle was shot and killed in Clinton County and the Conservation Agent was basically pleading with the public to help identify poachers. He even said he can't be everywhere at once so he really relies on tips from locals to point out the poachers.

Unfortunately gigging will never be outlawed in Missouri... The MDC itself anoints it as an "Ozark Tradition" (See the Sept/Oct 2014 Missouri Conservationist Magazine). It's up to all of us who witness or know of illegal poaching to report it to the MDC.

This bust in Ripley County is a huge opportunity for the MDC to make statement and I truly hope they take advantage of it. Throw the book at this lowlife poacher. Revoke his fishing license for several years, confiscate his boat and gear, and hit him with a fine that will hurt his pocket book immensly.... And then blast it all over social media. Social media is a very powerful thing in this day and age. This won't deter all poachers but it may deter some. They have to make an example of somebody!!!! I hope they don't let this opportunity slip away.

Man I hate poaching!!!!

[Hog Wally]

One problem all-star, the big jet boats aren't getting too far on these small rivers at night. 50 horse and smaller on a 16' boat. Remember it's dark. Your not gonna take off on full plane to navigate through bad spots. I'm not pointing fingers but...... Okay so I am. Most of these poachers are low budget guys with smaller rigs I've gigged a lot. Big jets are limited Nonetheless in my opinion, gigging should be outlawed. That's gonna make some hate me but oh well I guess.

[Seth]

Sure, ban gigging because one boat out of 100 poaches illegal fish. Better outlaw all forms of hunting and fishing while we're at it since there are poachers involved with those as well. That would only be fair since I am sure there have been WAY more instances of over harvesting with a rod and reel than with a gig pole. Punishing the good majority for the bad minority is stupid.

Even if gigging was banned, my bet is the poachers would still be out doing it. They are already breaking the law so what is to stop them from breaking a different law?