First, I totally agree that it was a very stupid thing and the kids should be held accountable and punished. Both poaching and cruelty are crimes and should be punished.

But we also have to think about what kind of punishment - 5 years in jail? NEVER being able to have a gun or hunt again for the rest of their lives? I hate to say it, but kids, ESPECIALLY teenage boys, make huge mistakes because of pure stupidity and immaturity. I would be extremely embarrassed to admit to some of the mistakes I made, but will mention just one: DWI on many occassions. I've never been caught, and, fortunately for myself and the public, learned what a serious and stupid mistake that was before I hurt myself and others. There are others also. So stupid I can't believe I was ever that stupid, but it was also more than 25 years ago.

The only point I'm making is that it is a stupid mistake and one that should be punished. But I also think that it represents one of many "typical" stupid mistakes young men (and women) make and it is my belief that it does not represent the way they'll act as adults. Punish yes, but appropriate for the crime. If you assume it is not an indication of committed criminals, but instead an indication of sheer immature stupidity, the punishment should focus on that.

To me, while a financial penalty (loss of weapons and/or vehicle used in crime plus a fine of some sort) is appropriate, the best thing to do is NOT to throw them in jail or make some sort of lifetime loss of privelidge. I think it would be better for them, as well as the rest of us, to make their punishment benefit true hunters and wildlife - public service in the name of fish and game, for instance. What is jail going to do other than get them to make friends with real criminals when what they are (at this point) is more than likely just a couple of stupid kids, not committed criminals.\

Now repeat offenders, or older offenders - that's a different story.