Michigan DNR citation
12-26-2013, 03:03 PM
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,186
Nothing wrong in paying a fine but getting a misdemeanor is ridiculous. DNR tried something similar on me. I got a lawyer and payed a fine, no misdemeanor. I cost me $900 dollars but having a record for that is stupid. DUI is a misdemeanor, a potentialy dangerous crime. A hunter who didn't do the process flawlessly shouldn't get the same charge. You had a hunting license I assume.
Last edited by d80hunter; 12-26-2013 at 03:07 PM.
12-26-2013, 04:51 PM
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,462
I agree with d80. It was a simple mistake and you got caught, it just stinks. I remember getting a minor in possession of alcohol in college 16 years ago. I was pissed that night and the next day but realized that things like this happen, I paid my fine and never really thought about it again. I got busted, it was my fault and I realized that. Seems like you understand that. The misdemeanor part is a little ridiculous since you had a license and hadn't transported it anywhere yet. Someone came on here a year or two ago and said it wasn't his fault that he shot a doe, drove it home and quartered it and forgot to tag it. This is a whole different situation and it seems like you just made an honest mistake and tried to wait to put the tag on until you drug out the deer.
01-01-2014, 12:14 PM
#14
Super Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Northern California
Posts: 18,382
Below is the current requirement for tagging that I copied/pasted from the DNR website.
Tagging Big Game
Immediately after killing a deer, bear, wolf, elk or turkey, you must validate your
kill tag and fasten it to the antler, lower jaw or lower leg in such a manner that the
tag remains securely attached to the animal.
Tagging Big Game
Immediately after killing a deer, bear, wolf, elk or turkey, you must validate your
kill tag and fasten it to the antler, lower jaw or lower leg in such a manner that the
tag remains securely attached to the animal.
03-05-2014, 09:27 AM
#15
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 2
Apologies for the long delay in responding, here is the outcome. I had planned on a scheduled visit to the Prosecuting Attorney, but as luck would have it, I was called in for work that week due to an ice storm. Bottom line, I paid the fine, could not make the appointment. Basically have to wait five years to clear the misdemeanor off my record.
Other than griping, nothing else to be done. thank you for the many replies.
Other than griping, nothing else to be done. thank you for the many replies.
03-05-2014, 05:01 PM
#16
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Allegan, MI
Posts: 8,019
That's too bad. I think the change in the law from what it used to be sucks and there is no reason for the change as long as the tag is immediately validated by notching out the required parts and then keeping it in possession until it is at your vehicle or camp if you're hunting where you aren't using a vehicle. Citing people for stuff like that will only leave a bad taste in their mouth for common sense law enforcement. The one thing that people have stated on here that is incorrect is that any time a ticket is issued it's a misdemeanor violation at a minimum in the statutes and a possible felony if it's a serious violation. Saying he should have just received a ticket and not have a misdemeanor on his record is impossible because the ticket has to cite a law that is broken and it's either a misdemeanor or felony citation depending on the violation..
03-07-2014, 04:24 AM
#17
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,952
That's too bad. I think the change in the law from what it used to be sucks and there is no reason for the change as long as the tag is immediately validated by notching out the required parts and then keeping it in possession until it is at your vehicle or camp if you're hunting where you aren't using a vehicle. Citing people for stuff like that will only leave a bad taste in their mouth for common sense law enforcement. The one thing that people have stated on here that is incorrect is that any time a ticket is issued it's a misdemeanor violation at a minimum in the statutes and a possible felony if it's a serious violation. Saying he should have just received a ticket and not have a misdemeanor on his record is impossible because the ticket has to cite a law that is broken and it's either a misdemeanor or felony citation depending on the violation..
ATB
03-07-2014, 05:58 AM
#19
Typical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Northern WI
Posts: 853
I think what happened was ridiculous - harassment rather than serving the public. The logic does not hold water - an attached tag could easily be untied and used again in the another day once the deer was taken home. The important element here was that it was validated, thus rendered unusable should you go out again and it was the only tag you had left. Should have been a warning or at most a nominal fine with advice to bring wire along for firmly attaching the tag next time. The warden should focus on the real poachers rather than splitting hairs and putting the OP through the wringer on this. This shows a tremendous failure of the MI dnr it trying to secure public trust and support.
03-07-2014, 08:07 AM
#20
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Allegan, MI
Posts: 8,019
I think what happened was ridiculous - harassment rather than serving the public. The logic does not hold water - an attached tag could easily be untied and used again in the another day once the deer was taken home. The important element here was that it was validated, thus rendered unusable should you go out again and it was the only tag you had left. Should have been a warning or at most a nominal fine with advice to bring wire along for firmly attaching the tag next time. The warden should focus on the real poachers rather than splitting hairs and putting the OP through the wringer on this. This shows a tremendous failure of the MI dnr it trying to secure public trust and support.