Here in Texas, poaching is in fact a felony. Also, notice the definition of poaching.

AUSTIN - People who hunt illegally and are convicted of poaching could pay higher fines and spend more time in jail.

Officials of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department joined Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, on Monday to call attention to the law that Cuellar dubbed "a poacher's nightmare."

"We will catch every single poacher and make sure he or she is punished to the fullest extent of the law," Cuellar said. "We need to conserve deer so that hunting can continue for years to come."

Cuellar sponsored the bill, which took effect Sept. 1. It makes poaching a felony, with conviction carrying a maximum state jail sentence of two years and up to $10,000 in fines.
Offenses covered under the law include hunting without a landowner's consent, hunting from a vehicle, hunting at night, hunting with a light, catching fish with or possessing an electric-producing device known to shock fish, and killing or wounding desert bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, mule deer or white-tailed deer without attempting to retrieve the animal or its edible parts.
Cuellar said it's the toughest law against poachers.

Here's the rest of the article if you are interested:

http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/1...ex_poach.shtml

If you had read the rest of this post, you would know where I was going. The point of this post is that everyones definition of poaching is different. Many in this post have said that breaking any game law is poaching. In your case the game and fish may have defined poaching in your state but the term poaching still has a different meaning for everyone. So for the majority, poaching would not mean the same thing that it does for you, nor would it be a felony. If you follow the same logic as many others (that seem to have clammed up) then if you break a game law you're a poacher, therefore the same conclusion should me made that if you break a non game law, you are a criminal. If you don't follow that logic then we agree. My definition of poaching and the Texas game and fish' is very similar. However, the point of the thread wasn't to ask for the game and fish' definition of what a poacher is, the point was to ask what your own personal opinion of what a poacher is.

Boy did this stir a hornets net.....
well according to the first couple of responses I am a poacher cause I donot follow the law to the letter. I have an public area to get to but have to use the rail road tracks that is trespassing.
I do beleive there are reasons for the law an anachary is not the way...
But has an one else seen the "slaughter" of bucks during wisconsins first "t" hunt. why shouldn't taken there deer anyway better then the waste. And if you are providing for your family (beef prices at $2.00 +)
not making a profit off it and get the nessary tags . The area I hunt this year will become a erridaction zone....the tags are nearly free.
thanks

Well it appears that you actually did say that not plugging your gun was poaching, back on the first page of this thread Here's your comment

I am still waiting to hear from some of you criminals

Swamp Dog
Atlasman
Bees
mobowhuntr
SlimWV
adams
Danny45

Are all you "sticklers" for the law ready to admit you are criminals?

I forgot my duck plug at home one time. I do not consider this poaching since I only put 3 shots in at a time. I would have never put more then 3 in. It was an accident and I only put 3 in so I didn't really break the rules. I will never forget my plug again though. I felt so bad.

In my opinion this would not be poaching. Had he left it at home on purpose and put 5 shells in the gun.. that would be poaching. If you hunt long enough you will break a law, I will gaurantee it.

I guess how you would read this that hearts, livers and Balls are on the menu. Does anyone know a good recipie? I'll need it before my scheduled Texas hunt next year.

If you would read a few posts later, I clarified that I meant as it results to "harvesting game"

It seems you are wanting to argue just for arguements sake. I do my best to abide by all laws. I will hold firm on the premiss that if I accidentally break the law by speeding or such, I am not a criminal. Just as you are not a poacher by forgetting to put your plug in your shotgun. Can we agree on that?

I never said the heart, liver and balls were edible parts of a deer, nor do I believe that. However, the front shoulders and neck are.