driftrider

And that in itself is illegal in many states, including Iowa. In Iowa it is illegal to intentionally leave any "useable portion" of the animal in the field, where "useable portion" is defined as any portion usually processed for consumption.

I would call the DNR. Generally speaking, unless you actually witnessed the crime taking place, you will not need to make any formal statement and your information will not be included in any formal report. If you are worried, simply tell the dispatcher or LEO that you talk to that you are concerned about your privacy and they will respect that since you are not a direct witness to the crime, but simply reporting the evidence of a crime having taken place. The biggest thing about reporting it is that the DNR, with knowledge that there is suspicious or illegal hunting taking place, can watch the area more closely in the future and possibly catch the poachers in the act. Chances are, unless one of the poachers left some identifying evidence behind on the carcasses, the LEO that takes the report will not be able to issue and citations or make any arrests for this incident anyway. But he'll have the "heads up" he needs to possibly catch them in the future.

Mike

driftrider

If they don't follow the rules, then it's not legal. If the NRA, SCI, etc... support legal baiting that has nothing to do with those who break the rules and bait illegally. The NRA also supports the rights of law abiding citizens to own firearms in an almost unrestricted manner, but they in no way support or encourage the illegal use of firearms by criminals. I'm not going to not support the mission of the NRA simply because criminals possess and illegally use firearms.

If you don't agree with baiting at all, then I see your point. But if it's legal, and people do it legally, I don't think that the problem lies with the lobbying organizations that lobby to keep it legal if people break the rules.

Mike

kiwicraig7

Don't second guess yourself or worry too much about consequences, the law won't reveal your identity, the only time that happens is if you have to testify in court. It's the people who do things like that that gives the rest of us a bad name.
This is one of the reasons that we have regulations in place is to preserve the wildlife not just for us but future generations.
Trust your instincts.

Bernie P.

Report it!!!

zmschillin

Well i went back there yesterday and it was a dead 3 pointer and a dead buck with the top of his skull cut off. The 3 pointer was the same one that was in my back yard.

The tree stand and feeder is no longer up, and I have no proof that is the guy that even did it. That is the only evidence of another hunter in the area that I have seen. I also lookes at the ribcage, skull, and shoulderblades and found no holes in them.

I guess ill just take some pics of the deer carcusses and go from there, maybe the CO's can do their own investigation if i just show them the deer.

dirtybird

Most definately report it. They probably will not be able to do much about it right now, but at least they will know to keep an eye on the area. It really pisses me off when people who call themselves hunters do that kind of thing. It make the rest of us look like crap.

This is my personal thought, but I would sneak in there in the middle of the night and destroy the feeder and stand just to try to get a point across.

trophyhunter60

You need to report it.

Never Happy

So lets say you report it.. The guy gets pinched .. takes his case to court and gets a big shot law man to clear his big shot name.. He ends up with a plea down to a minimal charge if anything at all.. You then become the target of his revenge.. He does not need to know you are the guy who turned him in.. all he has to do is think you are the guy...

Is this worth it??? It is very easy for those to say turn him in when they do not have to put up with the revenge that will come....To me turning the guy is is not going to stop this behavior..If he chooses to be this way and take the easy way out as well as have very little respect if any for the animal he kills .. Then I seriously doubt any fine is going to change that... If you think it will,,take a look at the evidence here in WI ... Many many times the exact same guys get pinched for the exact same violations bait poaching year to year.. They learn absolutely nothing from a fine....

What needs to happen is a group like the NRA if they want a better base needs to adopt azero tolerance policy and support or draft legislation to eliminate these folks from owning a firearm and buying a game license ever once a violation is committed and proven in a court of law,,, Then this presents a huge risk to break the law a opposed to a slap on the wrist and a fine. If a big group like this took steps to protect the law abidding folks they would not be supporting the problem but offering aid to its abolishment instead,.. But these groups do not see things this way... Not sure why.. But i know they are calling everyone in the book trying to get their membership money.. If they did stand for the law abidding hunter like this.. They would not need to call me.. I'd send it in on my own every time.

NH

hunting junkie

I would wait for sure,you know he done it.Let him bait again and catch him red handed.

Tribal

Report it annonomously if you feel you have to but just do your part. Your quality of hunting will appreciate it too.