What is Poacher ?

When i asked why everyone hunts i sure got a lot of GREAT ANSWERS i sure thank everyone :)).
But what is your definition of a poacher ? What do poachers look like ?

hope you all answer with the same enthusiasm


thanks in advance

gare

[DGF]

Poaching to me means the intentionaly taking of game outside of the laws, hunting knowingly when game is out of season or shooting hours are over. I will also extend this to those who knowingly tresspass, and those who abuse state land while hunting (ie. shooting signs. That one really gets to me when I go to state game areas and see the signs on the road shot, the signs saying state game area shot, etc.)

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~DAN~

http://www.crowbusters.com/images/hntr_gun.gif

[boehr]

Poacher...one who takes fish & game whenever they choose regardless of the laws, methods, rules and regulations that pertain to the taking of that fish or game. A trespasser. An opportunist. Has no repect for nature or the environment. Has no respect for other peoples rights. Only cares about themself and NOW, does not care about the future. Does not care about safety. Does not care about fair chase. A theif, a crook, a criminal.

A poacher IS NOT a person who makes a mistake.

What does a poacher look like? Poachers unfortunately, look just like you and me. A person's looks does not make them a poacher, their actions make them a poacher. Poachers come in all sizes, genders, races, religons and walks of life. No discrimination is involved in the looks of a poacher. Some poachers make more money than any of us would ever be able to spend, some poachers are on welfare and everything else in between.

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"A particular virtue in wildlife ethics is that the hunter ordinarily has no gallery to applaud or disapprove of the conduct, whatever the acts, they are dictated by their own conscience, rather than that of onlookers."
Aldo Leopold

[The Nailer]

Well said, Boehr!!

i guess part of my question then Ray is if some of the indian tribes have different hunting and fishing laws then others . What you you consider them ? If i am correct some of them can live off of the land ? See my point it is ok fro some to but not others ? I also know a lot of game are taken bye tribes that are managed with michigan license revenue

[boehr]

I sense you are trying to get me into something here sportsmaster. :) But, I will bite.

All tribes have lands covered by their respective treaty’s. Much of that land, you and I can also hunt of fish. Land that is specifically for the tribes (Reservation Land) as far as hunting is not managed by the state. All tribes have their laws passed by their tribal councils and also have tribal courts when their laws are broken. If they are hunting on lands other than what is covered by their treaties then they go so the same courts that everyone else goes to. Now before we get into a debate of why are they not restricted to hunt and fish by the same methods that was use when the treaties were signed, I would submit for the same reason we are not prohibited to using only the same guns, for example, when the Constitution became effective. So Indians, just because they are Indians are not poachers unless they are purposely breaking whatever law governs them.

So, taking that into account, they fall into the same as I stated above.

[SAK]

well done Mr. Boehr!

No Ray i was not trying to start a debate. i remember when i lived in Michigan and had my charter fishing business we had a lot of problems with the indians taking a lot of fish with gill nets . When they started it was illegal for most of the people to take fish that way . Then i recall they reached an aggrement and so deciededthat gill nets were illegal for everyone in certain areas. I can remember boats getting shot at while running nets and such. I guess by remmember so many historical events it tends to disclose ones age. I am looking forward to shaking your hand :)) at the get together in Cabelas. :)


gary

[shooter921]

Well said boehr! I don't think many could say it better.

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Time to get those reels back in the water, and catch some BIG fish!

[Airoh]

Your first paragraph would be a good read on a NO TRESPASSING sign. I think it is well written.

[stelmon]

Poacher who knows what they r doin wrong and does it on purpose. that is how I c it.

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Stelmon, the only one.
Becareful out there..

[InTheWind]

When the rules have not been followed, then poaching has taken place. Under sized fish, over fish limit, foul hooked fish, too many birds, too many critters, not the right game, not the right tag, not the right weapon or tool,...if the rule book says don't do it, don't do it. Beohr said it all. Anything outside the rules is selfish, therefore, POACHING!
Squig

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"Live the code."-Fred Bear

Boehr has defined the question of " What is a Poacher" very well and I can only add one thing and that is, they are not sportsmen.

[Hamilton Reef]

My definition of a poachers are the steelheaders that trespass every spring and fall, the steelheaders that use the boats to stand on the other side of the river (I own both sides of the river), and the White River steelhead & salmon snaggers that burned up my signs, stole my canoe and boat.

The local COs are good people, but are not able to cover the world at all times. One CO even tracked down one of my repeat steelhead violators to his home in Grand Haven. The violator couldn't believe it.

I have the same poacher problem for the deer season. Same stories, different season.

A new twist by the DNR was last year when they opened up the 2-day early youth violator's season so the poachers on the South side of the river on my property could teach their sons how to trespass and violate deer before the regular season.

The DNR cannot discriminate and poachers have as much right to teach their kids how to shoot deer early before season as any other father that won't teach thier kids how to hunt in the regular season.

[boehr]

Bring this back to the top. We have a lot more member now than we had two years ago. Maybe they have some different opinions.

[newbostonmike]

Poacher is another word for (person that does not respect himself, or anyone else). These people give all sportsman a bad name. I personally think the courts are to easy on them. If your caught you should loose your hunting or fishing rights for life. :mad:

[338bar]

I have always thought the loss of hunting privileges a little strange, especially for deer. I am up in the air on suspending fishing privileges, especially for violations like over-limits or short fish. Someone kills a deer out of season and the courts take away their hunting privileges. They weren't paying attention to the seasons in the first place. Maybe fine them enough to cover their licenses for the rest of their life and just mail them each year. They probably hadn't bought a license in the first place so if/when they do it again at least the state would have gotten the same amount of money had they taken the deer legally during the hunting season. I know, it sounds like a license to poach but they could still get caught again, license or not, and be fined for the animal again. Maybe they would even become a hunter instead.

Just a different view on dealing with the issue.

[Sarge]

All poachers, the ones who do it on purpose and those who hide their mistakes, are opportunistic. Without proper and painful punishment they will continue. They might anyway but without consequences they certainly will.

[trapstercarl]

A new twist by the DNR was last year when they opened up the 2-day early youth violator's season so the poachers on the South side of the river on my property could teach their sons how to trespass and violate deer before the regular season

I hunted during the 2-day early youth season but I guess I didn't see it in the guide that it was for violators only. Guess that makes me a poacher? it was purely accidental I thought it was for all youth not just violators. carl

[flyrod4steelhead]

Well I really can't say much becuase Boehr said it well enough to cover what I would have said. I "had" a freind who just couldn't wait for the opening of gun season. So he would take his gun out and shoot a deer, maybe 2 day's before the opener. Needless to say I do not talk with him anymore. I can't stand Poacher's. My .02 pennies. Well said Boehr

[TrailFndr]

Ray has said it better than I could ever say it...Add to it the guy that has his wife buy a license so HE can take 4 deer instead of the 2 legal ones that I am permitted to take.

Penelties,are unfortuntly, not severe enough. I feel that not lonly should the poacher pay for the animal, and lose hunting privledges, but maybe take away thier means of poaching...ie,,,thisr VEHICLE. Without the ride, most wonlt be able to get into the woods to Poach.

Barring that, Lets Brand the word POACHER into thier foreheads and make them live with that the rest of thier miserable lives :)

[338bar]

Opening weekend reports from the law enforcement area of the DNR site. And these are only the ones caught with the limited COs we have. I have to believe the problem is much bigger. The blatent disregard for wildlife laws always amazes me.

http://www.michigandnr.com/law/ReportWeekDetail.asp?Week=11/17/2002

[Icet]

Agree with "Boehr". Well said.

[BaitRunner]

I also agree with Boehrs assessment of a Poacher - I would like to add that when a Poacher is apprehended, he/she should be made examples of by the court system with heavy fines, serve mandatory jail time, lose hunting/fishing privledges for 2-3 yrs and lastly have their names and punishments posted in the annual Michigan Hunting and Fishing Guide booklets.
I sure know that I would not want my name posted for breaking the law and serving time!

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Bob