Hey guys,

I'm not being personal about any of this argument.....and I'm certainly not taking any of it that way either. Even though I will frequently argue a point vehemently....and pointedly....which has the effect of seeming harsh even when it is not meant that way. And I do honestly believe that officers should have lattitude to use their judgement when enforcing infractions. (Otherwise we'd end up with the same kind on nonsense that "zero tolerance" has brought to the public school system!) So I most decidely come down on the side of allowing LE to use their experience, judgement, and discretion during enforcement, assuming consistency in application to all persons. (If you force an LE officer.....or anyone else for that matter......to use a "hammer" as their only tool.....pretty soon all problems start to "look like nails".) I am all for exercising common sense!

I have met far too many "hunters" that seem to believe that poaching is not REALLY a crime. And all too frequently attempt to justify it with stories of "suffering and misery".....when in my experience it has actually been done by "scofflaws" that could care less what the game law is. Additionally these same people in my experience have little or no difficulty in supporting habits such as smoking, drinking, spending on "toys", etc. Only when it comes time to buy the groceries.....and pay the bills.....do they seem to "have trouble earning enough money". That has been my experience!

You have to question a person's judgement when they are telling you all the financail horror stories of trying to raise a family with "X" number of children....and follow up by telling you they can't, won't, haven't.......been able to "hold a job". (Well........why the H**L NOT?) For that matter.....you brought those children into this world....find and keep two jobs! Doesn't give you any time to play or relax......should of thought of that....before you dropped your drawers to conceive another child! It doesn't get much simpler than that. A little individual responsibility goes an awful long ways! And as a society.....it da*n well past the time we start insisting that individuals exercise some!

P.S. Hey Coastie.......I didn't mean to sound as if I was being "beligerent or offended".....I wasn't. And I do understand a significant portion of what most of the arguments have been. (And I most assuredly....think the exercise of discretion and common sense....is a must!) But some of these guys are still throwing out "the same old and tired" arguments that may well have had validity generations ago. But they no longer hold water! (It is NOT a matter of Poach or starve. It's a matter of getting off their backsides and earn their keep...and when truly downtrodden....ask the appropriate agency for assistance. And "trim the excesses in their lifestyle. I'd like to have Lobster every night.....but I don't. We learn to live within our means.) And that does not include the "right" to steal from others!