You would call in on a poacher right?

[WCB]

I may have said it wrong in the OP. I KNOW it's not the same. But after measuring the antlers and then knowing it's an illegal deer wouldn't them hiding and/or keeping it be on about the same level?

[jmac2410]

Still not on the same level. That's like saying speeding is on the same level as poaching because they are both illegal.

[crazy8]

Wow, Good question. This is what happend on our place. The second year of AR a hunter killed 12" deer. It was an honest mistake. The hunter didn't really know about ground shrinkage. When I went to pick him up he said he shot a good buck and it was way outside the ears. We find the deer, it's 12". He boxes it and prayes the gw doesn't check him. He makes it home. After a stearn warning...Two years later the same hunter shoots a good buck, when i pick him up he said, " I hope it's legal". I then told him to get his deer, leave and not to come back. So, when you see a deer, look and see if it's what you really want to shoot. Take your time, make sure it's legal. Look at it through binoculars before you grab the range finder. I know if your hunting trails thats hard to do, but bait hunters have the time.

[Hart8]

I'd be willin' to bet the 13" rule has turned some dang honest people,into "game law" breakers.I personally dont like the rule.Also be willin' to betcha' that there's been a few 12 1/2" bucks left in the woods because some kid's dad,or grandpa was as excited as the kid,and made a mistake.If the rule is broken intentionally,that's a different story.

[hoythuntress]

The rule is different depending on where you hunt bt I agree with the others... INTEGRITY.

[WCB]

Still not on the same level. That's like saying speeding is on the same level as rape because they are both illegal.

bject like rapeBut after knowing you have shot an illegal deer and deciding to keep it I believe it then becomes dang close to the same as poaching. You then knowingly commit a crime.

[hammackc]

Before the 13 rule in my county I shot a 12 1/2" 6 ponter that scored 110", at least 5 yr old, this is why I dont totally agree with the rule. I would be ticked off if someone did it on purpose with a young buck, would I turn them in, probably not, just try to make them feel like dookie for doing it!

[jmac2410]

Please don't bring in a subject like rape.

But after knowing you have shot an illegal deer and deciding to keep it I believe it then becomes dang close to the same as poaching. You then knowingly commit a crime.

Sorry. Fixed it. But you are saying a crime is a crime no matter the severity. I think poaching is a little more severe than not wasting a deer after making an honest mistake about something that is impossible to field judge 100%.

[bowhuntntxn]

hammackc how does age of the deer buy an exception? 13 is 13 if the deer is a yearling or 9.5. I think the overall result of this question is that generally speaking no one likes the law, regardless of the benefit of it, and I get the impression that not many folks are making calls about illegal deer. just sayin.

[WCB]

Sorry. Fixed it. But you are saying a crime is a crime no matter the severity. I think poaching is a little more severe than not wasting a deer after making an honest mistake about something that is impossible to field judge 100%.

OK, I can kinda go with that. Now the second time I'm calling in I don't care who they are. But I would make'em feel real bad as I always tell hunters to only shoot what you "know" is legal not what you "think" is legal...

[chief262]

Come on deer season!

[hammackc]

hammackc how does age of the deer buy an exception? 13 is 13 if the deer is a yearling or 9.5. I think the overall result of this question is that generally speaking no one likes the law, regardless of the benefit of it, and I get the impression that not many folks are making calls about illegal deer. just sayin.

In my case the law had not taken effect in my county, and a 5 year old 6 pointer, no G1's that scores 110" is a cull, period, now that the law is in effect it is not an exception, simply a flaw in the law, and some GW's would agree with that.

[Ol Thumper]

So someone making an honest mistake is now a poacher?

[FCTrapper]

If he's a friend then ABSOLUTELY NOT, I would'nt call the GW. I run in tight circles

Call it what you want to, thats a "DO GOODER" issue plus i'm not a Game Warden nor do I want to be one. (not that their is anything wrong with that) GW's do serve a great purpose and come across some serious stressfull situations but I'm not in the business of reporting friends for a silly AR violation. (Respectiviely speaking I have many GW friends)

Why would you ruin a friendship over a stupid mistake???? and Plus on a Game Management rule that is in effect because of the lack of Adequate Game Managers in certain areas?

[WCB]

hammackc how does age of the deer buy an exception? 13 is 13 if the deer is a yearling or 9.5. I think the overall result of this question is that generally speaking no one likes the law, regardless of the benefit of it, and I get the impression that not many folks are making calls about illegal deer. just sayin.

That's what I'm getting not only from this thread but in talking with hunters in general. Not so much about liking/disliking the law but it turning some into law breakers. They don't like someone poaching or breaking other laws but because they don't like/agree with this one it's OK to break it. You either have ethics or you don't. Real simple...