PA mistake kill? big fine?
11-27-2002, 04:48 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Erie PA USA
Posts: 113
PA mistake kill? big fine?
The story goes like this.
In erie county pa a archery "mistakenly killed a 5 point buck". This deer had 3 points to one side and two on the other. Assuming he would receive a 25$ fine and lose the antlers the archery turned himself in. The hunter was given a $2500.00 fine and loss of license for 5 years. The reason for the fine was that the deer was not even close to a legal buck. Which in Erie county must have 4 points to one side. This was in the Albion area.
Eddie
In erie county pa a archery "mistakenly killed a 5 point buck". This deer had 3 points to one side and two on the other. Assuming he would receive a 25$ fine and lose the antlers the archery turned himself in. The hunter was given a $2500.00 fine and loss of license for 5 years. The reason for the fine was that the deer was not even close to a legal buck. Which in Erie county must have 4 points to one side. This was in the Albion area.
Eddie
11-27-2002, 06:25 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Little Egg harbor NJ
Posts: 1,279
RE: PA mistake kill? big fine?
wow. I don't know if this is good or bad. It could be taken two ways. One is that if you just make a mistake and try to do the right thing you get killed with fines and loss of license. This doesn't promote good feelings towards hunters doing the right thing.
Second is that this will deffinately make a statement to all hunters to make sure of what you are shooting at, and less of a chance of mistakes. So less illegal bucks shot in the long run.
But wow I bet that hunter will never do that again. I mean that he will never turn in a mistake and try to do the right thing as will anyone else. They will just let them rot and waste a good animal. Sad I must say.
Brian
Second is that this will deffinately make a statement to all hunters to make sure of what you are shooting at, and less of a chance of mistakes. So less illegal bucks shot in the long run.
But wow I bet that hunter will never do that again. I mean that he will never turn in a mistake and try to do the right thing as will anyone else. They will just let them rot and waste a good animal. Sad I must say.
Brian
11-27-2002, 06:52 PM
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Missouri
Posts: 260
RE: PA mistake kill? big fine?
I will have to agree with SuperMag on this. The next hunter to take an illegal buck will just leave him there instead of paying a fine that is more than he might make in a months pay. Although I do think the minimal points system is a good idea if you want to improve the overall quality of the bucks in a certain area, I think the fine given to this person is just way to steep, I have never heard of anyone who has POACHED a deer and got a fine like that.
11-27-2002, 07:02 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Detroit
Posts: 858
RE: PA mistake kill? big fine?
I think that's ridiculous. Super Mag, your right NO ONE will ever do THAT again, THAT being turning oneself in for a mistake. Now the guy should be penalized but COME ON! Try to do the right thing...
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Trushot }}------>
11-27-2002, 07:19 PM
#5
Super Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: South Central Missouri
Posts: 3,112
RE: PA mistake kill? big fine?
Wow, that is an outrageously steep fine, sounds like the judge has a thing against hunters. We have a 3 pt rule in Arkansas, with the exception of WMA's, which is 4 pt then. It will definitely make a person not want to turn it in if they make a mistake.
The best of luck in all your hunting endeavors!!!
God Bless,
Dave
The best of luck in all your hunting endeavors!!!
God Bless,
Dave
11-27-2002, 07:50 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New Enterprise PA USA
Posts: 171
RE: PA mistake kill? big fine?
Page 27 of the PGC regulations digest that comes with your license when you buy it states "If you kill a buck that does not meet the required antler restrictions, after completing the sworn statement and paying the $25 restitution, you must surrender the antlers. You may keep the deer." In the paragraph above that one sworn statement is defined as this "explaining when, where and how the accident or mistake occurred." Sounds like he needs to have his day in court with the PGC to me...
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Let's Go Shootin' ! Pinmaster
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Let's Go Shootin' ! Pinmaster
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11-28-2002, 09:55 AM
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Erie PA USA
Posts: 113
RE: PA mistake kill? big fine?
The $25 fine is only if they determine that it was truely a mistake. If it is determined that you are just trying to pass it off as a mistake you are going to pay more than $25.
Eddie
Eddie
11-28-2002, 10:41 AM
#8
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Blossvale, New York
Posts: 21,199
RE: PA mistake kill? big fine?
NOPE... not turning myself in on that one. Rather than do the right thing I'll just become "El Outlaw". I believe if they caught a REAL outlaw he probably would get off easier if he claimed he was out of work and had to feed his family. $2,500 and loss of 5 years hunting is just a bit of an overkill if you ask me. This has ceased to be antler restrictions for the sake of the herd.... it's all about trophy hunters and Alt.
11-28-2002, 03:08 PM
#10
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Dover, PA USA
Posts: 5,497
RE: PA mistake kill? big fine?
First I have to say I think you are hearing a rumor spun WAyyyyyyyyyy out of control. This whole thing is starting to hit "Urban Legand" status here in PA.
I've heard a few things myself and they don't compare to that story. First off.....I'm pretty sure that the straight out illegal killing of a deer in PA carries a 3yr license revocation, so 5yrs for a "Mistake" seems a bit odd to me. (And Njbowman , yes you will lose hunting privilages for certain offenses first time or not)
As far as $2500?.......I would seriously doubt that as well.
From what I understand......and this could be just a rumor as well there are something like 3 cases in the state so far where after investigating the story it was determined that the kills were NOT a "Mistake".(From what I gather a person reporting a "Mistake" must fill out a sworn statement describing the entire hunt and the facts surrounding the kill are then checked out, and if deemed suspicious further investigation is neccessary) If a true mistake is made they take the antlers, fine you $25 and YOU GET TO KEEP THE MEAT. So I am left to assume that someone was willing to trade the $25 for a freezer full of meat because you don't get a new tag.
In the cases I heard of......and I repeat I have no way of verifying this.......the people were determined to have simply killed an "illegal" buck and hoped to simply pay their $25 and head to the butcher. These people were fined $500 and lost their privilages for 1yr. Thats the story I heard, and nothing more.
I've heard a few things myself and they don't compare to that story. First off.....I'm pretty sure that the straight out illegal killing of a deer in PA carries a 3yr license revocation, so 5yrs for a "Mistake" seems a bit odd to me. (And Njbowman , yes you will lose hunting privilages for certain offenses first time or not)
As far as $2500?.......I would seriously doubt that as well.
From what I understand......and this could be just a rumor as well there are something like 3 cases in the state so far where after investigating the story it was determined that the kills were NOT a "Mistake".(From what I gather a person reporting a "Mistake" must fill out a sworn statement describing the entire hunt and the facts surrounding the kill are then checked out, and if deemed suspicious further investigation is neccessary) If a true mistake is made they take the antlers, fine you $25 and YOU GET TO KEEP THE MEAT. So I am left to assume that someone was willing to trade the $25 for a freezer full of meat because you don't get a new tag.
In the cases I heard of......and I repeat I have no way of verifying this.......the people were determined to have simply killed an "illegal" buck and hoped to simply pay their $25 and head to the butcher. These people were fined $500 and lost their privilages for 1yr. Thats the story I heard, and nothing more.