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-   -   fines r a joke in pa (https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/northeast/180328-fines-r-joke-pa.html)

Neville 02-16-2007 07:52 AM

RE: fines r a joke in pa
 
We are working with the General Assembly on a comprehensive overhaul of PA's fines and penalties. Fines and penalties are set by them, not us. One of the new sections we are trying to create will be called "aggrevated poaching". This will carry stiffer penalties than anything we have now.

For now, poaching is defined in Title 34, Section 102 as:

"Poaching." To unlawfully take game or wildlife by means of or as a result of multiple violations of the provisions of this title or the regulations thereunder.

bawanajim 02-16-2007 08:17 AM

RE: fines r a joke in pa
 
Along with increased fines I would like to see these morons names in the paper when they get caught poaching deer.

I don't know if you can shame an idiot but I would sure like to know who they are.

DougE 02-16-2007 09:52 AM

RE: fines r a joke in pa
 
They started putting there names in the paper around here this year.

DennyF 02-16-2007 10:34 AM

RE: fines r a joke in pa
 
Some rural papers have published the names/details of those charged with violating game and fishing/boating regs for years. Figure they've gotten them from the local district magistrates' offices (or police reports), just like they dowhen they publish thenames/details of those charged with civil and criminal charges?

The Potter Leader-Enterprise and Wellsboro Gazette editions have done this for many years, as I read both papers when at camp.

findinbone 02-16-2007 10:10 PM

RE: fines r a joke in pa
 
Poaching in Fayette county where I hunt is bad.This season the 8 pointI killed had the end of the right main beam shot off with a 22.The reason I know it was a 22 is because where the bullet hit the antler there is a 22 sized hole that looks like it was drilled with a drill bit.Two seasons ago in the same spot I shot a real nice 12 point my biggest buck ever.When I got the hide off the deer I found a 22 round.The round really did'nt do any damage to the deer.This spot is on gamelands and it is very close to the road.I have never seen a game warden there butI have seen state police.I think they need to patrol there after dark.Our local paper would report anyone caught breaking the law.I dont think policeing the gamelands is in the budget though and anyone doing the poaching is long gone by the time the police arrive.Or they live close by and watch because there are houses close by.

BTBowhunter 02-17-2007 04:46 AM

RE: fines r a joke in pa
 

ORIGINAL: shump

pa fines are a joke for poaching thats y we have so much of it look at ohio fines
January 23, 2006

UPDATE!
FIVE MARION MEN IN POACHING RING CONVICTED

Five Marion men charged with over 100 wildlife violations plead no contest to all charges in Marion County Municipal Court January 23rd, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. One of the men also was convicted of three charges in Delaware County. The total of all fines, court costs and restitution is $31,629 in Marion County and $1,367 in Delaware County that will be paid, with another $72,100 in Marion County and $100 in Delaware County in fines that were suspended. If the men violate their probation, they will be ordered to pay these fines. Three men will also spend 60 days each in jail, with an additional total of 41 years 85 days jail suspended as long as they obey their probation.

The individual sentences are:

David Jones, age 31, 65 charges
Fined $54,250, of which he will have to pay $6,500
Restitution of $3,200
Court and jail fees $5,709
(Total out of pocket $15,409)
Jail time given 29 years 210 days, of which he will have to serve 60 days
Lifetime suspension of hunting rights in Ohio
Must attend hunter education class
Five years probation

Robert Freeman, age 42, 27 charges
Fined $21,750, of which he will pay $2,700
Restitution of $2,650
Court and jail fees $4,201
(Total out of pocket $9,551)
Jail time given 10 years 90 days, of which he will serve 60 days
Lifetime suspension of hunting rights in Ohio
Five years probation

Dustin Freeman, age 19, 10 charges
Fined $4,750, of which he will pay $1,000
Restitution of $700
Court and jail fees $3,504
(Total out of pocket $5,204)
Jail time given 1 year 210 days, of which 60 days will be served
Lifetime suspension of hunting rights in Ohio
Five years probation

Joshua Stone, age 29, 3 charges Marion County, 3 charges Delaware County
Marion County
Fined $750, of which he will pay $300
Restitution of $400
Court costs of $162
(Total out of pocket $862)
60 days jail, all suspended
2 year loss of hunting privileges in Ohio
3 years probation
Must attend hunter education class

Delaware County
Fined $1,150, of which he will pay $1,050
Court costs of $317 minimum (longer he takes to pay, the more it is)
(Total out of pocket $1,367)
90 days jail, all suspended
3 years probation
2 year loss of hunting privileges, concurrent with Marion County penalty

David McKinley, age 20, 4 charges
Fined $1,500, of which he will pay $400
Court costs of $203
(Total out of pocket $603)
60 days jail, all suspended
2 years loss of hunting privileges in Ohio
3 year probation
Must attend hunter education class

Read more about this investigation and the charges imposed



© 2007 ODNR, Division of Wildlife
^Top|Ohio.gov|OhioDNR.com|Privacy/Copyright Info|Feedback
Looks like a joke in Ohio too. The first guy for example had fines for 65 counts totaling %54,250 and he paid $6,500. Thats only $100 per count!

Sylvan 02-17-2007 08:00 AM

RE: fines r a joke in pa
 
Actually it looks like the total financial penalty was $15,409. Add to that 2 months in prison and 5 years probation and we don't even know what he did. We only know 65 counts so how can anyone judge the appropriatness of the punishment. My bet is it's too light for what he did but given I don't know what he did I'm just speculating. Justexagerating for a point, and you can bet this wasn't the case, what if he was pan fishing, thought the limit for blue gill was 100 and the law was 35. That could be65 countsof something butnow there's adifferent perspective. Again, though all my point is, is that we really don't know what crime/crimes were committed or even whether or not he committed any crimesbut was found guilty of multiple civil offenses. I just can't seecriticizing the PGC or whoever it is for not being severe enough with its penalties without looking at specifics.

DennyF 02-17-2007 09:40 AM

RE: fines r a joke in pa
 
I just can't seecriticizing the PGC or whoever it is for not being severe enough with its penalties without looking at specifics.

As Neville noted above, it isn'tup to the PGC to set fines and other penalties, like license suspension periods. If and when our legislature decides to increase fines, then perhaps it will have more of a deterrent effect on those who break the laws?

About20 years ago, there was an incident in Perry Co.in whicha hunter was killed on opening day of buck season. He was shot well before legal hunting hours started. The person charged with the shooting, was checked while deer huntinglater that sameweek by a DWCO. Not only washe not the least bit remorseful about having killed another human being, he hadalso screeched at the original WCO who apprehended him, about getting his rifle back in as good a condition as it was, when it was confiscated.

Afterwards I asked another WCO why such aperson couldn't be permanently banned from ever hunting again. He replied that there was no suchavenue in current regs to do that and that if ever did come to pass, the legislature would have to provide for it. Don't know about the rest ofyou, but I sure don't want to share the woods with anyone that could kill someone and be out hunting again a few days later, as if nothing had happened. As I recall, that guy was found guilty, paid fines and had his license suspended for the maximum of 5 years. Far as I know,he's likely still hunting?

There is now another press release on some recent cases concerning illegal "hunting" activity on the PGC site, for those wishing to read about fines and penalties in PA.

www.pgc.state.pa.us

Maine Shooter 02-17-2007 10:12 AM

RE: fines r a joke in pa
 
You can raise the fines but if the ppl can't afford to pay them then what? My suggestion: keep the fines as they are just don't ease them down to a leser amount. If the fine is $X make them pay $X. can't pay? well fine, you spend some time in jail working for a small wage until you've earned enough to pay that fine in full. When the fine is paid, you are released. The fear of being in jail until that fine is paid in full could be a big deterrant.
Of course the thin skinned yuppy do-gooders along witht eh ALCU will cry that it's cruel and unusual punishment so it'll never happen.
Just another part of this country going down the tubes.

DennyF 02-20-2007 09:27 AM

RE: fines r a joke in pa
 
Here's one that may not elicit many laughs from the guy that was charged:

;)

http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1171940132180510.xml&coll=1


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