Sorry. I misspoke when I said last year rather than the year before. My point was that the same exact actions performed at the same exact moment in the recent past would have been legal. I know this is not an excuse. It was merely an attempt to put things in perspective.

Whatever the case, you act like you've spoken the gospel of absolute advice here. Well, honestly I think your advice sucks. I came here looking for potential advice on how to minimize the charges, regardless of ethical stance. Your advice was to simply pay the full penalty of $2000 and three years of revoked hunting privileges. Maybe he ought to just drive to the courthouse and insist that his penalties be doubled, since you're so convinced that he knowingly broke the law. Maybe he ought to just own up to his responsibilities and vow to never hunt again, and as a consolation volunteer to ring a Salvation Army bell every November when he would have been bowhunting.

You've been most helpful. I'll be sure to pass on your great words of wisdom.