While what he did is against regulations and is indeed wrong to do, he is not a "criminal". The whole thing was quite innocent. If last year's regulations were unchanged from last year warden would have congratulated him rather than charging him with a crime
The above quote was from your original post , and Like I said , he would have been charged with poaching deer last year as well. I believe your original post does say "last year" , not 2002.
My question is, does anyone have any experience with this sort of situation (personally or by association), and is there a reasonable defense?
Reasonable defense? No! Period. You asked for advice from anyone who's had any experience or association with this sort of thing and I gave it to you. Tell him to pay the fine. There is NO reasonable excuse for such a violation.
I didn't realize that there were various degrees of ignorance of the law. So you're saying that not only is he ignorant, but he's really, really ignorant? It's clear to me now. Thanks.
Smartarse! If you dont want honest answers then dont ask for advice or opinions.
You used the scenario that it would have been legal for him to do the same thing last year when it wasn't EAB and I stated that he would have been in violation last year as well which would have made his excuses (I could do that last year) illegal also , so yes I guess you could say he has two fold the ignorance!
One more time , was he or was he not hunting in a CWD zone?