Poaching Penalties - 5 Question Poll

[HaYen]

Final question requiring a statement answer. What reasonable civil actions should the AZGF Commission take in penalizing first time poaching offenders? Multiple offenses?

[azslim]

I think the civil penalty is somewhere around 10k for a sheep, not sure and don't feel like pulling up the regs. I just know the fine the kid got is not the last one he is going to receive. Good chance he can say bye to his boat, truck and gun too.

[youngbuck]

Stealing anything very valuable should be a felony, and is when you have a gun with you. A felony would make a good deterent and harsher fines around 10-12k i think would be in line. Jail seems a little harsh for me though, but sometimes you just shouldn't be a dumb arse.

[Non-Typical Solutions]

I would figure it would at least be enough to cover the cost of the reward But that is just the business side of me.

[Snapshot]

Much higher fines should be imposed. Hopefully the judge will add more fines to the intital $3K.

 

It is good to see operation game thief in action.

[billrquimby]

Poaching is terrible, but jail time and felony status should be reserved for crimes against humans, especially children. The fines he surely will pay in criminal and civil courts should be enough to punish him and make him change his ways.

 

Bill Quimby

[Chef]

I think a couple toms have a bigger impact on these sheep than this poacher did.

Keep the unit open and hunt mountain lions too.

[TEAM JESUS]

Too many factors, if you have a pass through on a shot. It is also poaching. There are too many different scenarios. If you tried to hide it, it should be worse though. People do make mistakes. Do you know how many small bulls are shot in the youth elk hunts. Early morning, I saw one with 3" spike shot at 100yrds just before dark. Case by case.