Giggers Gigging Trout Last Night

[Phil Lilley]

Got a call last night on my cell- a report from Leonard night fishing at KOA. I missed Leonard on the call back but the guy who answered said they'd seen and heard some guys in a boat gigging trout and supposedly bragging on how many they had- about 30. They'd called 911 and hopefully someone got the message and intercepted the poachers.

Any news? I"m in Dallas for the weekend.

[vince]

about 3 weeks ago I drifted across the gravel bar at the mouth of fall creek and saw a dead brown. I scoped it up with the net and it was a 18'' brown that had been gigged. Forgot about it, till I saw your post, Vince

[Bob A]

As much as I hate to admit it, nothing surprises me in terms of poaching, illegal fishing, etc, at Taney. I've been fishing there for over five years, severl times a week, year round and not once have I even seen an enforcement agent on the water. Not knocking the agents because they only have so much resources and are spread pretty thin. But that's just the way it is.And even if those scum-bagger were ticketed or arrested, the odds are, they'd never show up in court or pay a fine.

Bob A

Springfield, MO

[Daddy Carp]

Sounds like we're gonna have to fall back to the "good-ole-days" of catch & release on poachers! Catch them, film them, identify them & call the sheriff who will in turn notify the proper agents. They probably won't return, especially, if the agents make an inquiry & search of their homes. If they are transporting illegal game, they can loose their vehicle(car, truck, boat,etc). If they are storing at home, they can loose their house!!!.

Just carry a cheap disposable flash camera. Just the flash will make them nervous as hell with these kinds of risks. I'm sure that if a flash goes off, they won't be back!!

Licenses plates, boat numbers, physical discript of vehicle & persons. Get as much info as you can.

[Dave Cook]

The giggers were back Saturday night about the same time 7 pm. I would guess they time their trip to the evening release from Table Rock Dam.

If there were a number to call that would do any good, I would.

[Phil Lilley]

No one is supposed to gig above Fall Creek so if there's a boat with lights within sight of the dam, they are in violation.

Call 911

[Daddy Carp]

There are water patrol and conservation agents on duty in the eve. hrs. I hear them on the scanner all night long on Table Rock and Lake of the Ozarks talking to their dispatcher in Jefferson City. I'll see if I can round up some numbers. I really would be the wrong person for them to get psssd off ar for assisting to coral major violators when they can't!!

[Daddy Carp]

GIGGING FROM A BOAT CONSISTS OF "USE OF A WATER VEHICLE ON A CONTROLED BODY OF WATER TO COMMIT A CRIME & THE TRANSPORTATION OF ILLEGAL ITEMS". IT INVOLVES BOTH THE MDC & WATER PATROL WITH ASSISTANCE OF COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

CONTACT INFO: MO. DEPT. OF CONSERVATION - MDC

Conservation Agent

Quenten Fronterhouse

Counties: Taney

Southwest Regional Office

2630 N. Mayfair

Springfield, MO 65803

Phone: 417-336-0957

Jeff Harris

Counties: Christian, Greene, Taney

Southwest Regional Office

2630 N. Mayfair

Springfield, MO 65803

Phone: 417-725-6963

Danton Letterman

Counties: Stone, Taney

Southwest Regional Office

2630 N. Mayfair

Springfield, MO 65803

Phone: 417-272-1650

Charles Nofsinger

Counties: Taney

Southwest Regional Office

2630 N. Mayfair

Springfield, MO 65803

Phone: 417-546-2990

Conservation Agent - Table Rock Lake

W. Bryant Ward

Counties: Taney

Southwest Regional Office

2630 N. Mayfair

Springfield, MO 65803

Phone: 417-858-3570

MISSOURI WATER PATROL

Lieutenant Nick R. Humphrey

Public Information Director

Phone: (573) 751-3333

E-mail: Nick.Humphrey@mswp.dps.mo.gov

District I Commander Capt. James E. Marlin

District II Commander Capt. Matt Walz

District III Commander Capt. Gary T. Haupt

District IV Commander Capt. Robert Searcy

District V Commander Capt. Dale G. Sluhan

District VI Commander Capt. William E. Cox

OPERATION "GAME THIEF"

If you witness or suspect a wildlife violation, report it to your local conservation agent or call the toll-free number

—1-800-392-1111—

which is manned 24 hours a day. You may remain anonymous, and you may ask to be considered for a reward if you wish.

If you provide information that results in an arrest and you’ve asked to be considered for a reward, your agent will refer this request to a citizen board of the Conservation Federation of Missouri. That board assigns a reward based on the severity of the violation involved. Rewards range from $50 to $1000.

HOTLINE:

Program 1-800-392-1111 into your cell phone— so you can act fast!

THANKS FOR THE HELP IN THE PAST LILLEY, I'LL TAKE THE SOME OF THE HEAT NOW..LOL

[Dave Cook]

Thanks for the posting.

I was rather discouraged from the fact that the 911 call from the night before didn't seem to have any results.

[Phil Lilley]

In getting a poacher like this one in this circumstance, everything has to click... the agent has to be on duty and/or willing to pursue the call, has to have access to a boat in the right place where he feels he can get to them in time, a good description of the boat and people among other things.

I would think that if this group or groups are violating in this manner consistently over a few nights or on weekends, they should either get them in the act or get them at the boat ramp as they pull out. But the more help they get from anglers like you all the better.