Why aren't the parents buying groceries? Beer money? Crack money? Money on toys? Or are they that destitude? That would be the first question I'd want an answer to! (And if the parents aren't willing to provide it to me....as the game warden....I'd bet they'd provide it to child protective services.)

Next......if a man and/or woman are proud people....say too proud to accept assistance so they can eat....that's fine. But any father or mother "too proud" to insure their children have food to eat......is false pride. If you don't want "help" and are willing to go hungry....fine! But to impose that on your children is not pride......it's neglect. With all of the assistance, (private and governmental)......"the no food on the table argument" doesn't hold water. Any "man" too proud to accept assistance to insure his children are not going hungry......is proud enough to insure there is food on the table even if it requires working two or more jobs. (And is certainly "too" proud to be breaking the law.....or they have given up the "moral high ground" of their entire "too proud" argument.)

During the "great depression" and prior to the existence of public assistance programs that were designed to "prevent families from falling through the cracks".......there may have been validity to "that argument". But that is no longer true.

I have personally known a couple of handfuls of people that have "tried to use that argument" to justify "poaching". And I can honestly say that in every instance that I knew about....those families had more than one firearm. More than one automobile. Several TV's, entertainment devices, etc. in their home. In more than a couple of cases.....they had enough money for necessities like cigarettes, beer, etc. And frequently.....they had more "toys" than I did. ATV
's, boats, etc. In other words....if they had chosen to spend their money on FOOD......there wouldn't have been a problem!

Set the kid straight. Give him a recorded warning.....visit the parents and attempt to "find the problem".......and if all else fails. Write the citation...and notify any pertinent agencies as required to resolve the problem. There are legal and ethical ways to resolve difficulties!

P.S. By the way....teach them how to start, plant, and care for a garden!