I sort of agree that the Officer should have figured if you told him what you did that you were being honest. However, we have already covered why he probably wrote the citation. This was really a case of self incrimination when you come right down to it, and if you hadn't said anything, which was your right when he started asking questions, he would have had nothing to go on and you would have been home free unless he got a search warrant for your home and was able to find the deer that you killed and didn't tag. He probably wouldn't have gone to that extent because the search warrant would probably not have been issued without more evidence to suspect a violation had occurred. Don't blame the Judge either as they have way too many things that come before them to be well versed in them all. Were you not allowed to explain the entire situation before a verdict was rendered because you have said the Judge didn't know anything about the case? The whole reason for you going in was for the judge to hear the facts of the case in order to render a proper decision. Otherwise, a ticket could have been written requiring a certain fine payment and then if you wanted to contest it you could have asked for a Court hearing within the prescribed time on the ticket. Was the DNR Officer present in Court?