What to do with poacher?
 

Last winter while hiking in the woods down at the end of my street, I came across a tree that had obviously been used with a climbing stand. Sure enough, as I looked upwards, I could see the pin still in the tree for hanging one' s bow/gun. Just last week a neighbor-friend of mine whose house backs up against these same woods told me he saw a guy in a tree the Saturday before. Now, these woods are not legal for hunting. In fact, in my town it is illegal to nock an arrow or discharge a firearm. My friend posted a sign in the tree the hunter was using that gave him fair warning before the cops are called. Since the Giants were losing badly to the Dolphins, I decided to turn off the tube and wallk back to these woods. I saw the note my friend had posted but I also saw tons of deer feed the hunter had laid down. What would you do? How would you handle this?

I plan on going back there this Saturday morning (because I hunt in another town in the afternoons so the morning is better for me) to see if he' s there. I can also go next Monday as it' s Columbus Day and I' m off from work. If I see the guy, I will probably call the police right away as I' m friendly with a few guys on the force. I' m also tempted to call the local CO. Would you guys do this or am I being too harsh?

RE: What to do with poacher?
 

Are you sure it is a hunter and not a person taking photos?

RE: What to do with poacher?
 

Calling the authorities would be the first thing I would do!

RE: What to do with poacher?
 

You are right in turning in such activity.

These violators are the ones that cause laws to be changed NOT in our favor. They are the ones that give hunters a bad name. Some say that we should not turn in our own. But better for us to turn in violators than for some hiker to get scared by this hunter and then start some sort of anti hunting movement. If the person is mearly taking pictures or game watching. Then no harm done the officers will just have a little talk and let them go about their business.

I have found that violators will be violators will be violators. There is no use in talking to this person. Let the police or game wardens deal with this. It' s their call and there is nothing good that can come from you getting in an argument with this person.

Good Hunting!
Mac

RE: What to do with poacher?
 

I would definately call the police. The rules and regulations are made for everyone. He knows he' s poaching and he also knows that someone is obviously on to him and he still goes about his business. I would probably go as far as also contaminating the area to try to keep the deer away (but hey, that' s me). If you were the one poaching, you know that you would be subject to fines, losing your hunting license and possibly jail time. It' s people like him that only hurt the sport...

RE: What to do with poacher?
 

By all means, turn him in!
Sadly, too many times people associate " poachers" with " hunters!"
Poachers ARE NOT anything similar to hunters, they need to be caught and people need to know that there is a difference between poaching and hunting!

RE: What to do with poacher?
 

The only thing I have to offer, is to make sure you are 100% not allowed to hunt where this guy is hunting. In PA many places have local ordinances against discharging weapons, BUT it is perfectly legal if you are lawfully hunting. They just try to fool people into thinking they aren' t allowed to hunt. So be sure of the law, before you go messing with this guys spot.

RE: What to do with poacher?
 

I agree with Wimp. If possible, check with the landowner first. In fact, make sure it' s not the landowner that' s doing the hunting. :) But don' t feel wrong/bad about getting the authorities involved.

RE: What to do with poacher?
 

Make sure he is poaching and turn him in if he is.

RE: What to do with poacher?
 

wimp is 100% right , however unless it' s legal to hunt over bait (it' s not legal here in pa) that would be the only law he broke, but don' t call the police because most don' t know game laws,call the game warden first ! a similar situation happened to a friend of mine, he and a buddy were hunting where it is illeal to discharge a firearm, the cops saw them entering the woods with shotguns and detained them my buddy told the officer to call the game warden , the game warden came and told the officer to let them hunt the state has some kind of presidence over local ordinance when it comes to hunting .