4 Mississippi hunters fined $48,000 for Kansas violations

[Delmar ODonnell]

Here is an article that summarizes the podcast.

https://www.mossyoak.com/our-obsession/blogs/the-largest-wild-turkey-poaching-arrest-in-history

This comment will enrage some here but I see a trend that is all too prevalent today.  I am glad the guys got caught for what they have done which is a serious blow to the local turkey population and unfair to those who hunt according to the law.  But it amazes me when I read these types of things on hunting forums how the replies are from "choir boys."  I have found after 75 years on the planet that those who preach righteouness have done wrong and some continue to do so.  I know a few of these people who rat out others but kill turkeys for the length of the season.  I don't approve of what they have done but ever hear of the line, "cast the first stone".

From the article:
"Amidst investigation, they discovered that three of the main poachers had killed 26 turkeys in Nebraska and Kansas in just three days. Texts revealed that they had a contest amongst themselves to see who could kill the most—the "winner" killed 9 turkeys.

And in Mississippi, their home territory, the officers were able to prove about 70 turkey kills from February to April on 15 pieces of private land. "Prove" being a key word here, as there were plenty of turkeys kills that weren't charged due to questionable evidence...

After months of research and months of fitting together every puzzle piece, the officers nailed the poachers with charges of nearly 100 illegal turkey kills across Mississippi, Kansas, and Oklahoma in the 2018-2019 season. One person killed 16 turkeys in the span of two months alone, another poacher 15."

At what point does a wrong become bad enough that someone can comment on it without being self righteous? I don't know where exactly that line is, but I know poaching over 100 turkeys in a year is way, way over it.

[rifleman]

Delmar,  I am glad that these guys were caught and fined accordingly.  I know several that take more than they are allowed.  I know one guy who keeps his total take of beards each year in a shoe box marked with the year and the boxes are full. He is one well known for calling DNR on others offenders.  "Choir boy" as far as DNR is concerned, that is what I am referring to.  Do as I say, not as I do group.

[camotoe]

Sentence should be no entering any WMA, national or state forest . Put a tracker on there trucks simple to do and make them wear a monitoring bracelet to keep track of them while on probation . Nice ankle monitor .


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[Delmar ODonnell]

Rifleman, I understand now. That is hypocritical and terrible.

Poaching is unfortunately far too common in Mississippi, especially amongst my generation. It definitely seems like poachers like the guys in this case are the kind who love to get in a pissing match about how many turkeys they kill along with how many fences they had to hop to do so. I don't see a moral renaissance happening amongst poachers anytime soon; hopefully the state can get the funds it needs to curtail the problem. The article mentions reaching out to state representatives, which I think is a great idea.

From the article:
"To a Gamekeeper and to any wildlife enthusiast, especially those passionate about the wild turkey, the punishment doesn't seem to fit the crime. As work is done to harshen poaching laws across the country, help can be accomplished by reporting anything suspicious you see to 1-800-BESMART. It's a 24/7 anonymous line to report trespassers, word among the community about a person killing more than is legally allowed—anything that would raise concern, no matter how small.

Captain Herrington of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks says, "It's extremely helpful for the public to be involved. Things like this are not invisible. People notice these kinds of things every year. They may think, 'oh, it's nothing.' But it's not."

And Mississippi residents can call their senators and or the commissioners with the Department of Wildlife and request change to the current laws. It all begins with a grassroots initiative to better protect the game and fish in your area."

[Happy]

I dunno, I would be all for allowing the landowners to sue them for damages as well as give them one free kick to the giblets for every time they trespassed on their property. Steel toes boots would be allowed.

[ElkTurkMan]

I listened to the pod cast regarding this case yesterday.  These guys are slobs and thieves and I think they got off easy. They should have lost there hunting privileges for life as well as be on the wildlife violator compact for life.  The DNR should also be able to drop in on these guys anytime unannounced and have the authority to search anything they see fit.  If that is not doable, how about ankle bracelets and GPS on there vehicles, and they (the violator slobs) would have to pay for the monitoring.   This may seem extreme, but what these slobs did is extreme and there actions deserves dire consequences.             

[MISSISSIPPI Double beard]

Did they ever say thier names. I believe they should be put in jail along with the fines!

[Cottonmouth]

Did they ever say thier names. I believe they should be put in jail along with the fines!

it's in the very first post

[NCL]

Someone please educate this ol country boy...

How can a US court impose or enforce a "world wide" ban?  On hunting, or anything else for that matter?

Don't get me wrong.  I am glad these guys got punished.  But our court system doesn't have jurisdiction over the entire world, do they?

TonyTurk

You are correct no US court would have jurisdiction outside the country.  I would think this was probably some journalist license with wording or a misunderstanding of the verdict. As this case was prosecuted Federally, probably under the Lacy Act, I would think it applies in all States and US Territories. Not sure if Wild Life Agencies have compacts like DMV drivers licenses but if there are, then as mentioned, it will show up in all agreed agencies. Lastly, that fine has a great deal of significance, if they fail to pay the fine, then the courts can bring back in. Lastly, if there is a search clause in their probation then the offender can be searched while they remain on probation.

[Treerooster]

Someone please educate this ol country boy...

How can a US court impose or enforce a "world wide" ban?  On hunting, or anything else for that matter?

Don't get me wrong.  I am glad these guys got punished.  But our court system doesn't have jurisdiction over the entire world, do they?

TonyTurk

You are correct no US court would have jurisdiction outside the country.  I would think this was probably some journalist license with wording or a misunderstanding of the verdict. As this case was prosecuted Federally, probably under the Lacy Act, I would think it applies in all States and US Territories. Not sure if Wild Life Agencies have compacts like DMV drivers licenses but if there are, then as mentioned, it will show up in all agreed agencies. Lastly, that fine has a great deal of significance, if they fail to pay the fine, then the courts can bring back in. Lastly, if there is a search clause in their probation then the offender can be searched while they remain on probation.

There is a compact among wildlife agencies in the U. S. and it pretty much covers all 50 states. Lose your hunting and fishing privileges in one state and you have lost them in all I believe.

[captpete]

They are poachers. It didn't bother them to do it when they had licenses, doubt it will bother them to much now that they don't...they will just be a lot more careful. The one thing that might help stop them would be if they were convicted as felons. Then they should lose their gun rights...at least for awhile.