Has anybody seen this.......,

[tlefire]

That's 583 crappie if my math is correct. I think the limit there is 25 per person.

[tim]

I dislike guiding, they should know better they should make it hurt real bad. And never be allowed to guide again. But the fishermen should have stopped this also, they need fined very heavy and lose fishing privileges.

[Ketchn]

I saw it a few times and to be sure it bothers me that anyone could be so greedy , but at the same time we now live in a world of this kind of thing in abundance and quite often the time does not make sense for the crime .
I would tend to think they got the book thrown at them and most judges would likely give them the maximum for this kind of blatant disregard of the law . I also think its likely they have done it more than once and someone probably tipped the wardens and that is something I will in fact do and in fact did this last weekend .
when I called they said its already been reported and they are on the way and as I finished my call they rolled by me in a hurry .
play fair and abide by the game laws of this state or hope I don't see you is my thoughts on this subject

[Jamesdean]

Yes Ketchen, I seen it and commented on it when I saw it. I also read some of the comments and it turned my stomach by some of them. It went all the way from Fines and jail time to others saying come on jail time for a fish??? Well that many is not a fish. That is blatant disrespect for any and all game laws. As I stated in my post where I had seen it, they all need the boat confiscated, all gear confiscated loss of license for life, fines and jail time. This evidently is not the first time this has happened. They are nothing more than common thieves. Stealing fish from other law abiding fisher people. And if they poaching fish by keeping this many, what other game are they doing the same thing with and haven't been caught. Yes, THROW THE BOOK AT THEM...

[wicklundrh]

Unfortunately, despite what I may think in regards to this crime (make no mistake, it is a crime), the reality of the situation and end result is more than likely going to be a slap on the wrist in the eyes of the many of us that care so deeply for it. To dig deeper, one must look at the legal system in general and take in to account the punishment that is levied on crimes that are much higher in the eyes of the law. Once you look at that, then you have a pretty good idea of what the end outcome will be. When you see rape, murder, and fake racial attempts getting punished with little or no sentance, one would then think that someone that took 208 fish over their limit would obviously not have a punishement placed upon them that is more than someone that was just convicted of vehicular manslaughter.

Punishment is based on the maximum amount allowable by law and then a series of subtractions (sentancing guidlines). If you are/were a model person before this, with little to no legal interaction, these are all contributing factors. Other things such as higher fines, and probation can be put in place of sending someone to jail at the cost of the state (tax payers). In terms of confiscation, despite the rumors people have heard regarding the seizure of boats, trucks, and other equipment, the reality is that they (the law) cannot take any more than the maximum amount of restitution for the case. In other words, it would be illigal for the state to seize a 70k boat for a potential 2000 fine.

Some states (Michigan included) have started taking a harder stance on this. The fines are a certain dollar limit per inch over your limit. So, you measure the 208 fish they were over their limit with and you get a total number multiplied by the fine per inch. This can be levied on the entire group or broken up to each member. The guide in question would lose his/her guiding license (if they had one), and probably their fishing rights for a period of time (4 years is usually the max for first time offenders). Each individual would also lose specific privlidges.

Reality is, whatever punishment put against them is going to seem light by the people (such as us) that are passionate about it.

[kycreek]

Make an example out of them. Not like they didn't know any different.

[Special K]

I'll be looking forward to seeing this on an episode of Lone Star Law. I watch this all the time and from what I can tell... Texas Game Wardens / State Police do not play with stuff like this and generally treat and charge violators (especially egregious violators) (like this) harshly... and always go for the harshest penalties the laws of the state may impose. In my opinion when such egregious offenses occur they should be charged as poaching in addition to all of the other violations... and yes, any guides associated should be banned for life from ever guiding or having commercial license. I wouldn't doubt it a bit if the out of state fishermen named in the charges weren't also trying to use short term resident permits to perpetrate this crime... also a fraud which is also against the law. BURN 'EM ALL!!!

[pescador]

The Canadians have it right!

The Canadian Sportfishing Industry is taken very seriously , you break the laws and you PAY ( NO SLAP ON THE WRISTS HERE)! Over 60 years ago, my Grandfather and Uncle took me to Canada on a fishing trip, they were enforcing strict laws back then.

[LedHed]

The guides let it happen - they should suffer greater consequences.

[M R Dux]

I dislike guiding, they should know better they should make it hurt real bad. And never be allowed to guide again. But the fishermen should have stopped this also, they need fined very heavy and lose fishing privileges.

Why do you dislike guiding? Yes, these guides should lose their guide privileges for blatant disregard of game laws. Guides in KY would likely lose their license. Most guides I know are much more teachers than guides and I know personally many folks hire
me to teach them tactics that help them catch fish for the rest of their fishing days. A few bad apples should not mark the rest of us for criticism.


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