Isnt camera theft legal?

[luvdemcoues]

Interesting topic. IMO (and this is only my opinion as a law student), the argument about the stuck 4x4 was a valid one.

However, in my opinion, the taking of a trail camera that was set up on a trail or waterhole would qualify as conversion of property, or even trespass to personal property. So there are legal recourses that can be taken there from a civil standpoint, except if AZGFD takes the camera, because of sovereign immunity.

I am actually having a debate in class right now about whether this is a crime. I will post the result.

[SO I HUNT]

Interesting topic. IMO (and this is only my opinion as a law student), the argument about the stuck 4x4 was a valid one.

However, in my opinion, the taking of a trail camera that was set up on a trail or waterhole would qualify as conversion of property, or even trespass to chattel. So there are legal recourses that can be taken there from a civil standpoint, except if AZGFD takes the camera, because of sovereign immunity.

I am actually having a debate in class right now about whether this is a crime. I will post the result.

 

Thanks for the information and let us know how class went?

[bowhuntaz1]

So, if the Forest Service parks a water tanker or dozer in the forest for over 24 hours, I can claim it? Interesting...

 

+1

[slopoke36]

There is a fine line between what is ethical and what is legal in this case. Socially taking the trail camera is wrong because it didn’t belong to you. But legally no one cares because it shouldn’t be left out there. You got to ask yourself are you going to be the better person in this situation and leave the camera.

 

Do what you got to do but be careful that you don’t mess with the wrong guys stuff.

[.270]

yep, i knew we'd get a lawyer in on it. what the h e l l is chattel? and there ain't no fine line between ethical and legal, there is a huge line that is so wide you can't see the other side. and it's smeared out by "legal" interpretation. there are all kindsa coyotes out there. and skunks and weasels and snakes and buzzards. if you don't want your camera took, either don't put it out there or hide it real good. this has been going on since they've been invented and it will continue forever. well. until they invent personal sattelites or somethin'. Lark.

[AZLance]

as far as the 4x4 stuck in the mud, I ran across a few vehicles in the Santa Ritas a few years back. I called FS to see if I could apply for a abandonded title. They said I could if I was a licensed tow company. There policy was after 72 hours, if you had a tow license, you could get a abandoned title for the vehicle left in the forest service. These were brand new trucks by the way, proably used for smuggling.

[tjhunt2]

yep, i knew we'd get a lawyer in on it. what the h e l l is chattel? and there ain't no fine line between ethical and legal, there is a huge line that is so wide you can't see the other side. and it's smeared out by "legal" interpretation. there are all kindsa coyotes out there. and skunks and weasels and snakes and buzzards. if you don't want your camera took, either don't put it out there or hide it real good. this has been going on since they've been invented and it will continue forever. well. until they invent personal sattelites or somethin'. Lark.

 

Thanks Lark, I didn't want to show my egnorance but so glad you brot up chattel. Never even seen the word in my live. I'm goin to say I was waitin on this legal version of legal stuff from luvdemcoues and appreciate his opinion based on his schoolin. Ethical is ethical. I don't give a rat's butt what the law says if it ain't yours keep your hands off it. At my age I might not be able to wipp butt but if I catch ya stealin something of mind you are gorna wish you was somewhere else. Just sayin!

 

TJ

 

ps..... CURZTAIL...... I would like to share a campfire with ya sometime and pick ya mind.

 

TJ

[Pine Donkey]

Lark,

 

I agree...what the h e l l is chattel? Also confused about that other funny sounding thing he mentioned, "ethics class for lawyers"...not sure what that is!

[WinMag]

Just a thought here, why not put your name and phone number on it? Then state that it is here for a reason and if found please call.... This would take away from the idea of it being abandon property.

[.270]

actually it's personal property you can move around. just about anything but real estate. was once used as a common term for the children of slaves also. i just wanted to see if you actually knew what it meant, and seeing as you seem to, why didn't you just say personal property? i used to work around a guy that always tried to use fancy words instead of words that everyone knew the definition. he didn't amount to much. and again, all ethics are is your opinion. and you have to know the difference. there are no legal ethics. it's either legal or it's not and the ethics part is up to you. that's why i say legal=ethical. this game camera deal is going to turn on guys sometime. the more folks complain about it the sooner they'll try to legislate it and the legislation will include a fee for a permit and rules and regulations that will make it a lot worse than it is now. probly be a DEPARTMENT OF TRAIL CAMERA ADMINSTRATION, too. bigmoqui hit the nail on the head pretty square. if you don't want someone stealing your camera, walk a little farther and put it off the beaten path where folks ain't always walking past it. what good is a buncha photos of deer in a place everyone else knows about? leave an unlocked bike downtown for a couple hours. it disappears. same with a quad in the back of your truck next to the street at night. the world is fulla jerks that will steal anything they can. even "hunters". protect yourself. my favorite saying of all time was said by the Duke. LIFE IS HARD, IT'S A LOT HARDER IF YOU'RE STUPID. live by it. Lark.

[cw4192]

I use My 1999 Ford F150 4x4 as my QUAD, RANGER, RHINO ETC!! How come I dont need an off road sticker for it? I would think that if you had a street legal QUAD, RANGER, RHINO, ETC that you would not need this sticker. Can someone explain this to me. Thx in advance

[.270]

cw4192, shhhhhh, they might hear ya. then we'll all hafta get one for our pickups. but if they would drop the amount you pay for registration like they do for a quad, it might be a good deal. my ranger is about $150 a year. if i buy the off road sticker for $20, it drops to $6.

 

if you're talking to hillbillys, use words they understand. and besides, millivanilli said i don't know anything about reloading anyway, so i probly gave you bad advice. if it worked, it was probly an accident. Lark.

[4Falls]

so heres what I've learned so far... Stealing my camera = legal but not ethical, me punching someone in the face after I catch them with my stolen camera = ethical but not legal.

[BigMoqui]

Lark thinks I'm right! I'm pretty sure I can die now knowing that my life is complete. Effen Jeff is Effen Awesome.

[.270]

ok, when did punchin' somebody in the face become illegal? now that ain't ethical right there. Lark.