Looks like I have yet another great reason to hate game wardens. Just another classic case of abuse of power. What a sin.

The big question I have is with all the adults there why wasn't the
tag filled out before the went to the check station.
That alone is a fine.

The whole story sounds fishy with that many adults sombody should have said somthing about tags!!!!!!!!!!!!

As far as the fine and loss of hunting rights what can you say other than you did the crime you do the time.
Being 1st timer they could have went a little easer on him but I think it was dad they were trying to get the point across to as he is responsable for the whole thing including the fine as the kid is still under age.

It's a wonder they did not site all of the 7 others as they were in on the same hunt at the same time.

By the way what state did this happen in????????

Laws are laws & rules are rules.
Abuse of power no.
That is like saying you should let a under age drunk driver go that just killed somone because he was just a kid.

fastfire....
Rules are rules and laws are laws, and discretion is discretion...the moral to this story is that wardens are pinch hungry losers. A fact that many of us already know.

Fast....
And as far as you equating this to letting an teenager that was drunk and killed somebody.........get a grip dude....listen to yourself, like a drama queen. It's just a bear.

Sounds to me like the kid was a victim twice.

First, because his A__hole father didn't take the time to know the rules. (A parent has to sign the kids license application) What 12 year old going to get his first license wouldnt depend on his Dad or Parent to help him through the process and do it the right way?

Second, he comes across a by the book, Barney Fife type game warden. Any number of things could have been done. Yes, the kid broke the law, yes, the wardens have a job to do. They could have made him buy the license on the spot, They could have found a lesser charge. I would think some citation should be in order (TO HIS DAD) But keeping the kids bear and taking his hunting priveleges for three years are way out of line.

It'll be a miracle if this kid doesnt walk away from this with a total disrespect for the Game Commission. It would be no surprse if this kid decides to hate game wardens for the rest of his life. If a poacher has been born from this, it should be no shock to anyone.

I hope his Father takes it to court. I got a hard time imagining that a local magistrate will be as tough on the kid as these guys apparently were.