G&F Commissioner

[Snapshot]

Prarie dogs? ..Really? ....you shouldn't even need a license to shoot those little weasel's.

[archerycrazy]

The shooter was a thirteen year old boy who was not required to have a license. He was under the direct supervision of a licensed adult as required. Jack made a mistake. Jack did the right thing by self reporting and the Department did the right thing by citing him. He is now being crucified in the media.

I've seen many cases where the commission has been very lenient. Tis usually occurs when the violator actually shows at the Commission Hearing and states his case. in some cases statutes block any form of leniency by the Commission.

[billrquimby]

"Jack did the right thing by self reporting and the Department did the right thing by citing him. He is now being crucified in the media."

 

Agreed! Pressure from an ignorant public can be powerful stuff.

 

As Tony (outdoor writer) reported on another forum recently, a fish and game commissioner in California was soundly knocked about by that state's media and the California Legislature, and then stripped of his commission presidency by his fellow commissioners == all because he had killed a mountain lion legally in Idaho.

 

Bill Quimby

[Outdoor Writer]

From my reading of what is currently happening, the commission is not even involved as yet. Hulsted was cited and now has the option to pay the fine or plead not guilty to the charge, which is the only way he can present his side to a judge. Once either of the these choices occurs, the commission then has the option to take further action. In this case, I doubt they would even consider -- and rightfully so -- any further punitive action because of the circumstances.

 

All that said, citing him was the right thing to do, IMO. And if he hadn't been cited I can just see it here and elsewhere about G&F being a corrupt bunch of good ol' boys who protect their own.

[DUG]

This is another example of why you should always read your regs. and always carry regs. in your truck. I found a p dog town last weekend. I was pretty sure it had opened back up in July and checked my regs. right there which should have given them time to hide.......

[DesertBull]

The media is quick to jump on a G&F Commissioner but constantly look the the other way when the President of the United States refuses to abide by the Freedom of Information Act and his own AG is held in contempt.

[DCS]

What happened was the only way that it could be handled.My father was the chief of law enforcement from 1950-1972 for the dept.I personally know of three times the law was broken,and the person turned themselves in,citations were issued.The first instance involved the chairman of the comissions son shooting at a buck antelope up by Flagstaff,hit a doe and was cited.The second involved a warden from Prescott,shot a some geese on a pond-one shot two birds over limit.He wrote himself a ticket,paid a fine.The last one was the regional supervisors son from pinetop,shot at some ducks flying over,and killed the only redhead in the flock,which was a protected species.The dad issued a citation,the son pleaded guilty,and the judge made the son learn all the species of ducks in Arizona.Everyone makes mistakes in their lives,try to learn from them.

[reganranch]

Great info DCS thanks for sharing I was totally unaware of all those incidents.

[bowsniper]

In this case, I doubt they would even consider -- and rightfully so -- any further punitive action because of the circumstances.

 

 

Paxon said there is no risk that Husted could lose his hunting license

 

SAY WHAT!!!!!!

 

You guys need to the AZGF website and read the commission meeting minutes on violation hearings. I was shocked to read that the penalty is almost always five years loss of hunting "privileges", regardless of the violation. Poach a trophy elk, 5 years; 1 quail over the limit, 5 years; a couple of fish over the limit, 5 years; you know somebody on the commission and come and beg for mercy, 4 years. I agree, not a significant violation and he turned himself in, but the commission better stick it to him like they do everyone else, 5 YEARS!

 

 

Mark

[Non-Typical Solutions]

Pretty sticky situation for sure. I really think that the G$F should rethink this whole process.

 

They have backed themselves into a corner. By being jacka$$ with those in the past who did the right thing and turned themselves in.

 

Is there a difference between poaching and the mistake of shooting a prariedog out of season?

 

Legally yes........but in the common sense realm of things?

Just curios, the reproduction rate of the two surely are not comparable.

 

We have prarie dogs pro creating at alarming numbers here around town inside city limits. For farmers and ranchers they are nothing but trouble.

 

Is there another type of prarie dog besides the gunnison as reported in this case???

[bowsniper]

Here is a hunter who shot a Prairie dog out of season.....5 years!!!

 

Terry L. Metteer May 14, 2010

Docket # 2010-0028

Metteer was found guilty by the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court for: Count A: Take Wildlife Closed Season (Black Tail Prairie Dog); and sentenced Count A: Restitution paid to AGFD $175.00.

The Commission discussed with Mr. Elms how the assessment amount was arrived at. It was difficult to determine since it includes years of planning and preparation, but it was certainly a larger amount than what was being assessed.

Case Officer Tilton was present and answered questions for the Commission, including that the shooting distance was about 75 yards and that the area was not very well signed. She also stated that Mr. Metteer entered the area from the north and there was no signage, as the landowner removed the sign.

Metteer was present and addressed the Commission stating that he was shooting at a coyote and did not intentionally shoot the Prairie dog. License Rev/Civil Assessment - 3 - May 14, 2010

Motion: Martin moved and Freeman seconded THAT THE LICENSE(S) AND/OR LICENSES PRIVILEGES OF TERRY L. METTEER TO HUNT, FISH, AND TRAP IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA BE REVOKED AND HE BE DENIED ANOTHER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS;

http://www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/meeting_minutes_archive.shtml

[bowsniper]

Here are some other suspensions for lesser infractions: FIVE YEARS!!

 

http://www.azgfd.gov/inside_azgfd/meeting_minutes_archive.shtml

 

 

 

Charles C. Snow 12/04/2009

Snow was found guilty by Yuma County Justice Court for: Count A: Exceed bag limit (Doves); Fined $1,353.20 on September 23, 2009.

Snow was not present, but provided the Commission with a written statement (Included in the record).

Motion: Husted moved and Freeman seconded THAT THE LICENSE(S) AND/OR LICENSES PRIVILEGES OF CHARLES C. SNOW TO HUNT, FISH, AND TRAP IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA BE REVOKED AND HE BE DENIED ANOTHER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS;

Kody Kyle Anthony Mulhall License Rev/Civil Assessment - 7 - March 7, 2008

Mulhall was found guilty by the Santa Cruz County Justice Court #1 for: Count A: Take wildlife during a closed season (Gila monster); and Count B: Possession of unlawfully taken wildlife (Gila monster); and sentenced Counts A and B: Fined $850.00. Mulhall was not present. Motion: Hernbrode moved and Martin seconded THAT THE LICENSE(S) AND/OR LICENSES PRIVILEGES OF KODY KYLE ANTHONY MULHALL TO HUNT, FISH AND TRAP IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA BE REVOKED AND HE BE DENIED ANOTHER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS;

Richard L. Solov Solov was found guilty by the Flagstaff Justice Court for: Count B: Possess unlawfully taken game fish (8 trout); and sentenced Count B: Fined $250.00. Officer Fabian was present to answer any questions the Commission may have. Solov was not present. Motion: Martin moved and Woodhouse seconded THAT THE LICENSE(S) AND/OR LICENSES PRIVILEGES OF RICHARD L. SOLOV TO HUNT, FISH AND TRAP IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA BE REVOKED AND HE BE DENIED ANOTHER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS;

Tat Kongoudom December 7, 2007

Kongoudom was found guilty by the McDowell Mountain Justice Court for: Count A: Possess wildlife unlawfully taken (catfish); Count B: Exceed bag limit (8 catfish); and sentenced Count A: Fined $185.00; and Count B: Fined $185.00.

Kongoudom was present and addressed the Commission stating that he did not have a regulations book and did not know the rules.

Motion: Martin moved and Woodhouse seconded THAT THE LICENSE(S) AND/OR LICENSES PRIVILEGES OF TAT KONGOUDOM TO HUNT, FISH AND TRAP IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA BE REVOKED AND HE BE DENIED ANOTHER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS;

Foy Kongoudom December 7, 2007

Kongoudom was found guilty by the McDowell Mountain Justice Court for: Count A: Exceed bag limit (5 catfish); and Count B: Possess wildlife unlawfully taken (catfish); and sentenced Count A: Fined $157.00; and Count B: Fined $140.00.

Kongoudom was not present.

Motion: Martin moved and Woodhouse seconded THAT THE LICENSE(S) AND/OR LICENSES PRIVILEGES OF FOY KONGOUDOM TO HUNT, FISH AND TRAP IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA BE REVOKED AND HE BE DENIED ANOTHER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS;

Ryan M. Pike June 22, 2007

Pike was found guilty by the Payson Regional Justice Court for: Count A: Litter while deer hunting; and sentenced Count A: Fined $256.00.

Pike was present and addressed the Commission stating that they picked up a lot of trash, but that it was after dark. Mr. Pike further stated that the pictures must have been taken before they picked up the trash.

Motion: Hernbrode moved and McLean seconded THAT THE LICENSE(S) AND/OR LICENSES PRIVILEGES OF RYAN M. PIKE TO HUNT, FISH, AND TRAP IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA BE REVOKED AND HE BE DENIED ANOTHER FOR A PERIOD OF THREE (3) YEARS

Sopha Nhoung

Docket # 2010-0062

Nhoung was found guilty by the Yuma Justice Court for: Count A: Fishing without a license; and sentenced Count A: Fined of $84.40.

Nhoung was not present.

Motion: Woodhouse moved and Harris seconded THAT THE LICENSE(S) AND/OR LICENSES PRIVILEGES OF SOPHA NHOUNG TO HUNT, FISH, AND TRAP IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA BE REVOKED AND HE BE DENIED ANOTHER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEAR;

Kurt R. Eikmeier

Docket # 2011-0047 License Rev/Civil Assessment - 8 - May 13, 2011

Eikmeier was found guilty by the Yuma Justice Court for: Count A: Possess/transport unlawfully taken doves; Count B: Take dove without valid license; and sentenced Count B: fined $84.40.

Jess was not present.

Motion: Freeman moved and Harris seconded THAT THE LICENSE(S) AND/OR LICENSES PRIVILEGES OF KURT R. EIKMEIER TO HUNT, FISH, AND TRAP IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA BE REVOKED AND HE BE DENIED ANOTHER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS;

 

 

Lester D. Deese

Docket # 2011-0002

Deese was found guilty by the Kingman/Cerbat Justice Court for: Count: Shoot Firearm Across Roadway; and Count B: Knowingly Waste Edible Game Meat; and sentenced Counts A and B: Fined $430.00.

Deese addressed the Commission and stated that he left the birds to go take his medicine. He had forgotten to take it that morning and he felt dizzy.

Motion: Harris moved and Husted seconded THAT THE LICENSE(S) AND/OR LICENSES PRIVILEGES OF LESTER D. DEESE TO HUNT, FISH, AND TRAP IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA BE REVOKED AND HE BE DENIED ANOTHER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS;

[bowsniper]

So what happened with this violation? Swept under the rug? Probably what will happen to Hulsted.

 

Philip E. Golosewski

Docket # 2012-0028

Golosewski was found guilty by the Verde Valley Justice Court for: Count A: Disorderly conduct, reckless handling or discharge weapon; and Count C: Careless misuse of firearm while hunting; and Fined $100.00.

Golosewski was present and addressed the Commission stating that the officer’s determinations are what he admitted to, except that he was not intoxicated. His actions were due to poor judgment.

Case Officer Antolik was present by phone.

The Commission took no action in this case.

[123456]

While i totally agree with you that G&F is way out of line with a lot of their cases, What the meeting minutes do not tell you is that most, if not all of the cases are plea deals. This is G&F way of making you plead to charges, even if you are pretty confident you can defeat them in court. You only see the charges they plead to and not the charges that were originally brought against them.

[Non-Typical Solutions]

That litter one is hilarious..........they need to go set up in 36B and make some serious collections there on littering....................