Here in Texas, poaching is in fact a felony. Also, notice the definition of poaching.

AUSTIN - People who hunt illegally and are convicted of poaching could pay higher fines and spend more time in jail.

Officials of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department joined Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, on Monday to call attention to the law that Cuellar dubbed "a poacher's nightmare."

"We will catch every single poacher and make sure he or she is punished to the fullest extent of the law," Cuellar said. "We need to conserve deer so that hunting can continue for years to come."

Cuellar sponsored the bill, which took effect Sept. 1. It makes poaching a felony, with conviction carrying a maximum state jail sentence of two years and up to $10,000 in fines.
Offenses covered under the law include hunting without a landowner's consent, hunting from a vehicle, hunting at night, hunting with a light, catching fish with or possessing an electric-producing device known to shock fish, and killing or wounding desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, mule deer or white-tailed deer without attempting to retrieve the animal or its edible parts.
Cuellar said it's the toughest law against poachers.

Here's the rest of the article if you are interested:

http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/1...ex_poach.shtml