"I also learned that I am better off lying to a DNR officer. I figured being honest and explaining myself would have gotten me a little leniency for a first offense but I was wrong"
I can't agree with that because lying is never a good thing! You have to look at it like the other post stated and remember that the DNR Officer probably has heard everything in the book and something you did or said that you didn't have to say in the first place made him make the decision he did. Then again, maybe he's just a jerk and doesn't care to listen and have to make any judgements, so he just goes by the lettter of the law. He really didn't didn't do anything wrong. I really think you have to look at it from that perspective and just know it was you that screwed up and don't do it again.