RE: When does a bowhunter become a .....
I bowhunt many states every year AND they all are very specific on cased bows, shooting time start, end & so forth. Soooo, If you bend or extend those rules your INTENT may be the same as a poacher.
I have very little use for the Pope & Young club thou many fine bowhunters have entered legal animals. I wonder how many would be removed IF the exact circumstance of the kill was known-like a few minutes AFTER or B/4 legal time or just over the fence where you had permission. May not make you a poacher in your book BUT you broke the LEGAL rules... Good Luck this season and may you NOT be tempted....