https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/illinois/turkey-poaching-cahokia-canal-illinois/63-0c9fc4cf-77d0-4b98-a5a6-f34a61ea9310
QuoteEDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — Charges were filed Friday against two Mississippi men who are accused of poaching wild turkeys for monetary gain in Illinois.
According to a press release from the Madison County State's Attorney's Office, Tom Haine filed charges -- including felonies -- against Hunter D. Baxter, 28, and Dustin D. Goldsmith, 38, for the unlawful harvest of turkeys in the Cahokia Canal area last year.
Baxter and Goldsmith are both charged with one count of unlawful possession of wild game, which is a Class 4 felony. Baxter and Goldsmith allegedly had a number of turkeys worth more than $3,000, for profit or commercial purposes.
In addition, Baxter faces one count of unlawful use of weapons because he allegedly had an illegal suppressor for a firearm at the time of his arrest, which is a Class 3 felony. He also faces 16 conservation citations -- including eight counts each of unlawful taking of turkey with the aid of thermal imaging and unlawful use of a rifle to take a turkey.
Goldsmith faces an additional 18 conservation citations -- including nine counts each of unlawful taking of turkey during closed hours and unlawful possession of turkey taken illegally.
Bail is set at $50,000 for Baxter and $40,000 for Goldsmith.
State's Attorney Haine provided comment on the alleged turkey-poaching case and said,
"There is no sportsmanship in the type of conduct that is alleged here. We take it seriously when there are egregious violations of the Illinois Wildlife Code, and poachers should know that we are prepared to file felony charges when appropriate. When people violate game laws, it's cheating. It's unfair to all of the ethical hunters who practice good sportsmanship and are good stewards of our natural resources, and whose fees support conservation efforts. The State's Attorney's Office will always strive not only to keep our neighborhoods safe, but also to safeguard the resources of our region and our state."
The charges came after a year-long investigation by the Conservation Police from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
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Us Mississippi folks are quickly gaining the rep as the worst traveling turkey poachers!
There's poachers everywhere, I'm glad they nail some of them, wish they could get them all! They are giving us all a bad name. We just have to keep catching them. Most people recognize they are not hunters, they are outlaws, unfortunately the anti's group them with us.
Scum should have their houses searched and additional charges added for every animal in possession taken without a tag. Dont get the thermal charge unless roost shooting?
Kudos to the Conservation Police from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
Way to go!
Good, play stupid games and you win stupid prizes. I hope they get real jail time.Z
Amen!
Derelicts everywhere.
Good to see that we may have reached a time when poaching is taken seriously and those participating in it are actually given sentences that might act as a deterrent for those considering it in the future. It has not been that long ago when someone doing something like this would have gotten a slap on the wrist and sent on their merry way.
An observation: We have at times mentioned the fact that conservation departments have changed with more and more employees being non-hunters, or otherwise non-consumptive users of wildlife with a "different" attitude about conservation. Although there are admittedly some down-sides to that, changes like this where poachers are actually being somewhat seriously penalized for their actions are one of the positive sides to that, I personally believe. It seems to me that those "non-consumptive user" types have an entirely different attitude about poachers than we used to see in the past.
Hopefully justice will be served and they get what they deserve. NO plea deal...
Consequences for everything you do! I do find it laughable that the state with the highest murder rate and crime is willing to prosecute at a felony level the killing of animals but not humans. WHAT???
Quote from: jhoward11 on July 12, 2023, 09:55:58 AM
Consequences for everything you do! I do find it laughable that the state with the highest murder rate and crime is willing to prosecute at a felony level the killing of animals but not humans. WHAT???
X2 I agree with you ...
Ole Ms boys!!
Quote from: 3bailey3 on July 12, 2023, 11:17:09 AM
Ole Ms boys!!
More likely MS state boys
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I would say no schooling, not much passed Jr high reading level!
Thermal imaging and a rifle?? That doesn't even sound nearly as fun as calling them turkeys in!! Glad they got caught!
I bet they had an awsome Facebook and Instagram page
Well at least thermal imagining is safer than reaping
crow is a man that always looks on the bright side of things...
Suspect they took more than a few birds that way in MS before taking their sorry show on the road.
Quote from: Happy on July 12, 2023, 02:09:09 PM
I bet they had an awsome Facebook and Instagram page
I did a little Facebook stalking and one does have dead turkey in his profile and cover photo. Pretty much what I expected.
Quote from: crow on July 12, 2023, 02:49:28 PM
Well at least thermal imagining is safer than reaping
:TooFunny: :TooFunny: :TooFunny:
:newmascot:
Throw the book at 'em!
An ego driven man is a dangerous thing ...
Hopefully they get the full extent of the law .
As long as no decoys were used what's the problem? If anyone wants to see a conglomeration of turkey regs take a look at MS. These guys probably thought this was normal behavior. Lol. Not a serious reply but a little snarky. "Snarky" may replace "nitwit" as my favorite word. Is this forum fun or what?
Quote from: joey46 on July 13, 2023, 11:05:51 AM
As long as no decoys were used what's the problem? If anyone wants to see a conglomeration of turkey regs take a look at MS. These guys probably thought this was normal behavior. Lol. Not a serious reply but a little snarky. "Snarky" may replace "nitwit" as my favorite word. Is this forum fun or what?
Approve the use of the word "conglomeration". However, irascible sounds much more intelligenter than snarky. Come on, guys, and bring it up a level.
How do you keep a nitwit in suspense? You can tell me later...
Ridiculous is about all I can say
Both snarky and nitwity. I can use nitwity if intelligenter is acceptable Lol.
Absolutely you can. However, using words like inteligenter, strategerization, and superfluis creates the image of a well traveled, learned, and astute man who should not be trifled with. This approach got me to where I am today.
Quote from: Happy on July 13, 2023, 05:27:22 PM
Absolutely you can. However, using words like inteligenter, strategerization, and superfluis creates the image of a well traveled, learned, and astute man who should not be trifled with. This approach got me to where I am today.
X2 .... Tell it like it is happy ....
And where would that be? I'll bet you have gravitas.
Gravity had nothing to do with my rise position to Head Sanitation Engineer good sir. As a matter of fact, gravity is the exact opposite of rise.
Happy, if you do have gravitas let me know. I think I still have some of that ointment the Doctor prescribed for me when I had it. Cleared it right up.
:TooFunny:
Quote from: guesswho on July 13, 2023, 06:51:56 PM
Happy, if you do have gravitas let me know. I think I still have some of that ointment the Doctor prescribed for me when I had it. Cleared it right up.
I'll bet you never had it. Probably misdiagnosed. With gravitas you either have it for life or never had it in the first place. The ointment was obviously a placebo. Don't fall for it Happy.
I occasionally sip on a clear liquid that comes in mason jars. It's been said to cure everything from dixlexia to hammmertoe. I think I will be ok.
All for Instacram and Faceplant posts...what heroes...
I've honestly witnessed a few young fellas from down here pretty much sale there soul , just to be labeled
A turkey " killa" . It's really sad to say the least !
I need to know what to do to be labeled a killa. I don't have any thermal equipment, but if that's what it takes jsut PM me
And I don't have a gram or bookface account:(
Bump.
Dont forget about these fine Missisippi folks
https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/the-largest-wild-turkey-poaching-arrest-in-history
I also prosecuted a father/son team from the Natchez area for tresspassing and shooting a bird.
Game Warden says in this area its Arkansas #1 and Mississippi #2 for violations. Yall must be raising them right in the bible belt.
"The 15 people charged racked up about $100,000 worth of fines between them, with Kenneth, the ring leader, charged with $37,354 of it. He was also banned from hunting or fishing for 5 years. Others in the ring were banned for 2-4 years. Several of the co-conspirators charged were spouses to the poachers; they were picking up and dropping off."
If they aren't banned from hunting and fishing in those states for life, then they should be banned until they pay off every cent of their fines. None of this $5 a month crap! :angry9:
Quote from: nativeks on July 23, 2023, 12:10:19 AM
Dont forget about these fine Missisippi folks
https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/the-largest-wild-turkey-poaching-arrest-in-history
I also prosecuted a father/son team from the Natchez area for tresspassing and shooting a bird.
Game Warden says in this area its Arkansas #1 and Mississippi #2 for violations. Yall must be raising them right in the bible belt.
I live in the area mentioned, but the difference in me and those fellow " Bible Belt" members is the fact that my mom taught me the " Bible " and my dad often used his " Belt " !!
What town in Mississippi were the 2 poachers from? Anybody know?
Quote from: deadbuck on July 25, 2023, 10:13:00 AM
What town in Mississippi were the 2 poachers from? Anybody know?
BrookHaven area