Commissioner Husted suspends hunter's license for

[archerycrazy]

Lately, if you actually show up to the hearing and plead for mercy, they have been less likely to hand out the 5 year penalty.

 

For example, at the meeting a couple weeks ago there was a guy who shot a previously wounded bull elk (so he says) on a cow elk hunt. He took it home, had it butchered, and put antlers on his shed. TWO YEARS LATER he gets turned in by someone. When asked about it, he confesses. His excuse was that he didn't have cell service to report the wounded bull he found and thought it best to put it out of its misery. I can't remember if they stuck with the $8k fine or not (doesn't look like the final reports are online yet either), but they ended up giving him a one year suspension of just hunting privileges...he can still fish.

 

Another guy shot a bear on his deer hunt, let the meat spoil, and then went to town to buy a bear tag. He was reported, and LIED to the officers the first few times until his friend cracked. He came to plead for mercy and got a fine plus 3 years of suspensions.

 

An elderly gentleman from California was charnged with obtaining a resident license without bona fide residency. He harvested a javelina with a resident tag. He owned property in Yuma and thought that was enough. He came in with an attorney and friends/family to speak on his behalf. They emphasized his character, the fact that he has been a hunters ed volunteer in California for many years, and that he is now a permanent resident of Yuma. They gave him a small fine for the javelina, no suspension whatsoever (he had already voluntarily not hunted during the previous year), and asked that he volunteer to teach hunters ed in Yuma.

 

In contrast, another guy killed a javelina out of season, but didn't bother to show up for the hearing. He got five years.

 

I'm glad you posted this. It should be a well known fact that if you don't show up for your hearing the 5 year hammer will fall.

The 4th case you cited was James Kasper. There were extenuating circumstances. Mr. Kasper was present and stated his situation. He was assessed for the Javelina and the revocation was 1 year.

 

I've seem numerous "no action" decissions by the Commission including at least two at the last meeting.

 

Show up, honestly state your case and you may get a break.

[Coach]

I just hope this doesn't turn into a "hunters vs. AZGFD" situation. We're pretty lucky here in AZ. The current relationship between hunters/fishermen and G&F is pretty good right now compared to a lot of states.

 

As I stated on another, related thread, I applaud Mr. Husted for his honesty in the matter. I also think G&F did the right thing by persuing charges.

 

There are plenty of negative results that could come out of this situation. On the other hand, there are some positive ones as well.

 

For starters, G&F has proven that they won't show favoritism, that their commitment to upholding the laws includes everyone, even those at the top of their ranks. To me, that shows character.

 

Secondly, it gets the department to really look closely at the difference between those who make an honest mistake, and those who intentionally set out to break the law.

 

I'm sure there are lots of folks on here who have been diligent and have never broken any game laws, intentionally or otherwise. On the other hand, I bet there are many more who have accidentally found themselves in violation. or violated a law without ever even knowing it.

 

Rules change every year. Usually it's pretty black-and-white, common sense stuff. But sometimes it's little minor things.

 

In all honesty, who knew there was a 10 week period from April 1 to June 15th that you can't shoot a Gunnison's Prairie dog, before this whole thing unfolded?

 

Point being - we all have a responsibility to know the law, and usually it doesn't take much effort to ensure you are in compliance. But, there are situations where even with best intentions, you can find yourself in violation.

 

My hope is that G&F can recognize this given this situation and excercise some leniency in the future when law-abiding hunters come foreward looking for assistance. And that hunters will realize that what was legal 2, 3, 5, 10 years ago may or may not still be legal - and we need to be sure of exactly what is legal to take, and if there is any doubt, don't pull the trigger.

 

It's not the same world a lot of us grew up in where pretty much anything small game or predatory was legal year round, and the only "poaching" was people intentionally killing big game our of season and hoping they didn't get caught.

[Elkaddict]

 

 

In all honesty, who knew there was a 10 week period from April 1 to June 15th that you can't shoot a Gunnison's Prairie dog, before this whole thing unfolded?

 

Good question, I didn't know there was a season on prarie dogs! What's the reason for it, and since there is a season is there a limit?

[Non-Typical Solutions]

In all honesty, who knew there was a 10 week period from April 1 to June 15th that you can't shoot a Gunnison's Prairie dog, before this whole thing unfolded?

 

Good question, I didn't know there was a season on prarie dogs! What's the reason for it, and since there is a season is there a limit?

That is what didn't make any sense to me, if I read the regs right no limit...........like I posted earlier...............none of it makes any sense...............

[654321]

lots of critters in az. have a season but no limit

[Non-Typical Solutions]

lots of critters in az. have a season but no limit

Not endangered critters though right??? Just wondering............

[audsley]

I happened to be present at the commission meeting when the hunter lost his license for shooting the prairie dog. The defendant's story was that he was aiming at a running coyote and just happened to center punch a luckless prairie dog. Wonder how long it took him to think that one up. The defendant's story lacked credibility and I wouldn't be surprised if the commissioners weren't a little annoyed that he thought they would believe it.

 

To ArcheryCrazy's good advice about showing up, I will add this: Don't try to sell an improbable story, or tell them your dog ate your copy of the regs. Just tell them you're a bonehead who hadn't studied the regs as well he should have, and that you're very sorry. MAYBE they'll show you some mercy.

 

And I think you guys are making WAY too much of the Husted-prairie dog affair.