If I honestly had to "poach" in order to feed my family I would do it and not think twice about it and if I knew that someone else was truthfully doing the same I wouldn't give it a second thought. Having said this, unless he is literally hunting in his back yardwithold equipmentit is far cheaper to buy beef from the store than it is to hunt. If he is out there with a new bow, or rifle, camo clothing, etc...I'd have to question his "need" to poach.
You damned right I'd do it....and I wouldn't care if it was November or June if my family was truly hungry. I can't think of too many things I wouldn't do.
That being said.....I'm betting these stories (REAL ONES) of people poaching to feed their families are very over-exaggerated.
For the business partner....I'd sit him down and ask him this question...."If I can get a few folks to donate their deer to you.....would you ONLY shoot your legal limit"? His answer and actions, thereafter, would determine if I turned him in or not. The others....YOU DAMNED RIGHT I'd turn them in. I did it, last year. I'll do it every time.