Most of the Wardens I know today and have known of or known of in the past have a pretty good understanding of what is going on in their patrol area. They have a pretty good idea of who is poaching and who is not and they also know the circumstances of what is going on. Today’s welfare state with easy access to food stamps etc. is not the same as it was in the mid 1900s. That said, today there is little excuse for poaching with providing food for the family as an argument. Most poaching today is for profit. Even fawns are poached for mounts to be sold on the ever-expanding market for such " Trophies" .
There seems to be some misunderstanding on here about just what the Wardens do when a poacher is caught. The Warden does not confiscate anything except for those articles needed as evidence in court. The Warden makes an arrest or writes a ticket requiring the violator’s appearance in court at a particular time and date.
A Judge then makes the determination as to what fine or punishment is to be meted out. This could, depending on the state, include a monetary fine, confiscation of guns, fishing equipment, vehicles, and loss of hunting/fishing privileges and/or time in jail.