An interview
 

Poaching, Why did you do it?

I recently had a discussion with two separate parties, both in which had been charged with numerous wildlife violations. Only one party would answer some questions. The party will remain nameless out of respect to their wishes nad letting me ask some questions. I do not condone the illegal harvest of wildlife, but I did have an interest into why they committed their crimes.
I am not an author nor am I a writer but, to better understand the poachers, I decided to take notes, and put a story together on paper.
Poacher A was charged with four accounts of illegally harvesting an antlered animal, using a rifle to harvest animals, shooting from a roadway and not legally possessing a tag for the animals harvested. Poacher A could have been charged with several other violations, but with cooperation and honesty and being his first offense he was given some slack.


Question 1: Why did you shoot these deer?

Poacher A: A co-worker was in need of meat, he wanted racks to hang on his wall, his daughter had just got out of the hospital, he couldn’t afford to buy meat at the store.


Question 2: Why kill four? Why kill bucks?

Poacher A: After the initial buck, he said he would go back and retrieve the deer, next week he said he had ate it and wanted another, it went on like that for about a month. I really don’t have an explanation for killing bucks, he wanted racks for the wall, and meat.


Question 3: You killed four bucks for “racks for his wall”?

Poacher A: He wanted the racks, but I use to have about 450 acres of private land to hunt between different landowners, and then hunting became less of a sport and more like gambling, the more you can pay the more you can play. Non-residents were leasing all available land for three times market value, or they purchased land for twice the value, it is no longer a hobby, now hunting is a business. I figured as long as he was taking the deer, I would reduce the population by four, that a non-resident wasn’t going to kill.


Question 4: Why not purchase your own land, or join a hunting club?

Poacher A: Why should I have to join a hunting club, that is just another organization that is making hunting a business instead of a hobby or sport. I don’t make enough money to purchase land with the prices that, non-residents have drove the land value too. Public land is just a good way to get yourself shot around here, there are to many hunters that have no options and not enough public land.


Question 5: How did you get caught, was it through T.I.P, a witness, etc….?

Poacher A: I was on my way to work and noticed a conservation agent had the company vehicle stopped. According to the C.A. he seen my co-worker aiming a gun, and pulled in, he approached the vehicle, he asked a convincing line of questioning, my co-worker, then took him to the animals.


Question 6: He took him to his house and showed him the deer?

Poacher A: No, he took them to the fields, in which they were shot, he hadn’t done anything but go back after the horns, I have no right to judge anyone, on the poaching issue, but it pissed me off when I found out all he took was the racks.


Question 7: Would you of shot the deer if you would of known, he wasn’t going to take the whole animal?

Poacher A: I don’t know, probably not, but it’s hard to say the non-resident thing burns me. If I had shot them for myself, I would have taken the meat.


Question 8: What was the penalty for these citations?

Poacher A: A years salary worth of fines, community service, confiscated equipment, loss of hunting privileges, a bad reputation, I don’t like any of my punishment, but I done wrong and now I will pay the price, but what is going to absolute kill me is the loss of my hunting privileges.


Question 9: What have you learned and taken from this?

Poacher A: I look at deer poaching like this, in area’s there are too many of them, they are a nuisance, if you need the meat take one, I believe that with the role the business aspect is taking on hunting, hunter number’s will decrease and herd number’s will increase causing disease, and eventually the diseased animal will cause diseases in livestock.
You know if you hit a deer with your vehicle, the state does not claim that deer, but go shoot one without a tag, they will claim it. The whole aspect of deer hunting is out of control. I was raised with values, I do not consider myself a game thief, I was raised that, every action has a reaction, I know what I did for my co-worker was wrong. I also realize I’m paying for what I did and there is a lot of worse people out there.


Question 10: Please clarify on “a lot worse out there”.

Poacher A: I could have been growing dope and selling it to your children, I could be out drinking and driving and hit another vehicle. I’m not nor, do I do that but, it happens and it’s a heck of a lot worse than shooting deer. So “many ethical hunters” say they never do anything wrong. Most have and just are to coward to admit to it or they haven’t been caught. It’s all about perception from the outdoor community, my perception is you screwed up, everybody does, fix it and go on, I‘m not going to label you. I believe I’ve learned my lesson, I have a family that I’ll lose if I screw up again, they are far more important. I didn’t think I would get caught but I did, I thought I was helping someone, I wasn’t. Let them help themselves and stay straight.
I thought it was interesting to give some insight on why a poacher done what he done. I do agree with some of his views “I could have been doing worse”, “hunting has became a business”, but I do NOT agree with what he has done. I did not mean to offend anyone, if this did I’m sorry. To all others that may also find this story interesting, Poacher A is currently still repaying fines and restitution, community service has been served, he cannot hunt for three more years, and confiscated items where auctioned to support the fish and game.
R.C.

RE: An interview
 

Now thats a POACHER! Those are the ones we need to get out of the woods! And in no way, should these types be considered "hunters!"

RE: An interview
 

Question 10: Please clarify on “a lot worse out there”.

Poacher A: So “many ethical hunters” say they never do anything wrong. Most have and just are to coward to admit to it or they haven’t been caught.

AMEN .... thats the damned truth !!

dd

RE: An interview
 

Ok this confuses me.

Question 5: How did you get caught, was it through T.I.P, a witness, etc….?

Poacher A: I was on my way to work and noticed a conservation agent had the company vehicle stopped. According to the C.A. he seen my co-worker aiming a gun, and pulled in, he approached the vehicle, he asked a convincing line of questioning, my co-worker, then took him to the animals.

If his co-worker was able to aim a gun why did "Poacher A" have to shoot deer for him? And why wasthe co-workeraiming a gun at animals that were already dead?

Also, if his co-worker was caught by the C.A. how did it end up involving "Poacher A"?

There is probably more information that may fill in the gaps, but I just don't quite get it.

To me it sounds like "Poacher A" shot the deer. The co-worker took the antlers and left the deer in the field. Then when the co-worker was caught by the C.A. he turned in "Poacher A" for shooting them....for him.

I'm not condoning "Poacher A's" actions and am glad he got what he got, but why did the co-worker rat him out after giving him a sob story toconvince him toshoot them?

RE: An interview
 

This is a story of two criminals. They committed multiple crimes. As is often the case with criminals, the thinking behind the crimes -- if it can be called "thinking" at all -- is muzzy at best. The talk about non-resident owners and the resentment of the non-resident owners, the change of hunting to a business, all this is noise and window dressing. These are criminal actions committed by criminals. That's all the commentary their experience merits.

RE: An interview
 

It all sounds very made up for whatever reason. To moniter reactions?;)

RE: An interview
 

How could poacher a not know the guy didnt take the meat unless he merely shot the deer and left them lay? If it was over four weeks, how did the warden find them all (it sounds like he found all four at the same time) The whole thing smells fishy here. A story that doesnt add up posted as a first thread by a new user. HMMM

RE: An interview
 

Early your most likely right ...the poster is a "Fawn" ...most likely just a trouble maker .... hemmmmmmm I wonder whoooo..there are a couple on here that like to label others "Poacher" pretty easily .. :eek:

dd

RE: An interview
 

Do you guys see the anti holding the fishing rod to get a front page story for their next newsletter? ;)

RE: An interview
 

Quote:

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So “many ethical hunters” say they never do anything wrong. Most have and just are to coward to admit to it or they haven’t been caught.

---

I always get a kick out of this one. There are those out there that seem to actually get upset if someone else is very ethical in his/her hunting and follows all the hunting laws. Just because you're a poacher doesn't mean the rest of us are scum too. Believe it or not there are hunters that DONT break laws.There's no conspiracy theory here.Us "ethical hunters" don't go sneaking around breaking the laws to see if we can get away with them and then proclaim to have never broken one. It's really quite simple...............DONT BREAK THEM! You should try it sometime. It's actually not that difficult. Perfect? Holier than thou? call it what you want.......... I just call it hunting.

RE: An interview
 

Yes Doc, I think "something stinks in Denmark".:D:D:D

RE: An interview
 

I´m not saying this isa true story but I think it could well be. The following statements are quite common whendiscussing with criminals. Ive spent e few years in prison ( with keys, mind you!) and this sounds like a criminal to me.

It is almost always the other guys initiative and some mildering circumstances (daughter in hospital). It is more or less described as a good deed: the poor friend was starved. Hey it not my fault, its the damn non-residents fault really. You should be lucky I´m a good man and thereforeI choose not to sell drugs. Thats evil I´m just a regular guy. i did not know he only took the racks.

Hunting clubs? Now why should I have to do like everybody else to hunt. So much deer anyway. I more or less helped out here.


So we are supposed to belive that A shot deer and left and that Friend took the deer without A being present? That poor innocent A had no idea? That he never asked the questions we all would have. Why do we not ask? Either we already know or we choose not to know.

And the most common statement: Yes I have learned my lesson. Wont ever do it again.The darnest thing. I´ve lost my hunting rights.

Who believes that?

RE: An interview
 

3D, I have to agree with everything that you've said! Even if this is a made up story, it is the type of violations that most of us would call true,"POACHING!"
That is the point that I've been trying to make for a long time now!
Many times here recently,"HUNTERS," have been labeled "POACHERS," for doing things that are PERFECTLY LEGAL in their own areas! It has gotten to the point of "if you don't do it my way, you are a poacher!"
AND THAT IS JUST NOT RIGHT!
Again, the case of this "interview," true, or not, is a CLEAR case of POACHING! Going so far as saying that a speeding ticket, isPOACHING, is just rediculous!
With so many laws on the books, and varying from region, to region, complicating things, ANY ONE OF US, could easily breakalaw!
By the "letter of the law," YES,that is POACHING! But, to consider some minor, incidental violation, the same as making up your own seasons, making your own limits, trespassing, etc. is foolish too!
We as hunters, especially on this great hunting board, should not be so quick to label each other as "POACHERS!"

RE: An interview
 

AMEN Jag ..AMEN !!

dd

RE: An interview
 

JagMagMan It always angers the heck out of me whenever the subjects of hunting and poaching are linked. Poaching has about as much to do with hunting as stealing cars has to do with trafic. It seems it is always hunters that is supposed to take responsibility for the armed thiefs which is what they are.
IMO anyway.

RE: An interview
 

Alright guys pinch your noses!:D:D:D

RE: An interview
 

yeah this story sounds made up for sure to me. i dont agree with poaching for the first bit. tthe only thing ive evr poached in my life was a squirrel out of season when i was like 12. Poaching would never cross my mind unless i had a family to feed and didnt have the money to do so. i dont think that will ever happen so i dont ever plan to poach. If you dont eat it dont kill it.

RE: An interview
 

Mass, to clarify, these two worked on a ranch. The deer were shot during the day, while at work, the co-worker was supposedly going back after dark and taking the wildlife. The rifle used was left in the company vehicle, coworker got to work before Poacher A and was out trying to shot another.

I did ask why Poacher A shot and not co-worker, he co-worker did initilly but never hit anything.

Early, It is not made up, I think the reason someone may question the validness of this interview is because no names or location are given and there will not be. Yes I do wonder what other people think but, but the story was more for people interested in why someone would do this, and the price that is payed. I know this is just one case but I thought it to be very interesting.

3D I don't know why the question wasn't asked, and by no means am I trying to play this guy off as inocent, I just wrote what I was told.

BTB, I did leave some holes but as I said I'm not a writer, all deer where shot and left, CW was suppose to ga back after them and did not, when the C.A. caught CW he showed him the carcasses in hopes of not getting in trouble. CW wouldn't take questions so I don't know if he was punished.

DD, I don't recall ever saying anything bad about no one not even poacher A, so why make trouble. I just found this interesting.

Mass, I'm not an anti, and yes I'm a 1st poster, but didn't everyone start at 1. My story may just be contraversial.

NyBow, that is purely PoacherA's opinion I in fact agree that there arre hunters that never commit a crime, I also agree that 95% will never commit a crime this bad.

Hope this may clear things up a little.

RE: An interview
 

The second post was tounge-in-cheek and wasin reference to another thread about breaking laws and anti's using the information which most of the folks in this thread have read or been a part of.

I'm just glad the nightcrawlers are safe. :D

RE: An interview
 

Welcome aboard interestingviews! Im new myself and still learning plenty! What a cool first post! I foundthe storymost interesting and Im glad you posted it. It put a great perspective on what really is poaching, I think.
Even if he is a criminal the guy shouldhave at leastsome credit for letting you write this down.

RE: An interview
 

I find this story very likely and have seen the aftermath of poaching in my hunting area. A few years ago some bucks were shot from the road only for their racks. We could see the carcasses laying out in the hayfields. The DNR ended up catching the 2 guys that did it however I did not hear about their punishment. This royally ticked my hunting buddy and myself off as we were hunting this area and several bucks, presumably shooters, were illegally taken thereby reducing our chances of legally taking one with our bows. I somewhat understand Poacher A's response of shooting the deer for meat but do not condone it. I know some families that would take10 deer a year because that's about all they eat. However, I think there are enough generous hunters out there that would be willing to donate legally taken deer to needy families. I really think that both guys were out just for the racks. Who eats 4 deer in a few days? It's hard to pinpoint exactly what went wrong with deer hunting but I'd say that monster racks have drove some of us crazy. I'd like to shoot a Booner just as bad as the next guy but I draw the line when it resorts to grabbing the rifle and a spotlight. I'd rather have an unfilled tag than do that! They were either going to sell the racks (look on Ebay, 15+ pages of nothing but deer antlers!) or were stroking their egos for killing monster bucks. Either way all punishment was deserved and I truly hope he did learn a lesson. Jerks like this give the honest, sporting hunter a bad name. Good post!!

RE: An interview
 

Thanks, 3d I'm glad you found this as intresting as I did.

RE: An interview
 

Sorry views, I guess I'm a bit gun shy from Antler Eaters little outburst.:D:D:D:D

RE: An interview
 

I personally thought that was a very interesting story. Good post.

RE: An interview
 

I personally cannot or will not condone any form of poaching. And I'm not talking about speeding tickets on the way to your hunting area! Poaching is poaching. JMO! This is the way my Father taught me and this is what I teach my son. Keep it legal fellas! Mistakes are made and I hope we all learn from them! Good luck!

RE: An interview
 

Amen BHF .........Amen!!

NYBH