ok, i cooled off a bit about the poaching thing, but that's only because it's been so damned cold up here i didn't have a choice. i guess the obvious question for moose is.. if you think/know/believe that the guys are jacking deer, why the hell don't you get on the phone to your local warden/cop, and let them know? get a license plate, for christ's sake, if you are close enough to see a green plate, then you are close enough to get at least a partial tag number. how many times have you seen an actual blood trail leading to a vehicle? if you think that poaching is happening, and don't believe that the warden can get there on time, what is your excuse for not trailing the guy to see where he goes? sounds pretty simple to me. i have been guiding guys from maine for the last 3 years down here for turkey, and have yet to hear such a comment out of their mouths.. maine is known as a tough state against those that break their game laws, most guys i know wouldn't dream of doing something wrong there. it used to be you lost your license, weapon, vehicle and most likely did some time for breaking the law, not worth it if you ask me. i bet your locals are the ones that are far more likely to be doing any poaching, they know the warden's schedule far better than someone who is only there to hunt for a few days, and can run an animal home to a safe spot quicker than an out of state hunter ever dreamed of doing. maybe mainers are just jealous in your area because the vermonters are far better hunters than they ever dreamed of, have to have some kind of excuse to use. still think the mainiacs are stealing tags in the summer and slapping them on in november, lol.
Pat