THP / Fine / Warden

[Gooserbat]

When you work in the outdoor industry in any sort your the poster child for being a public example.  I'm pretty sure $500 to THP is a little bit different than it is to most people. Pay it and go on.  It's not like he was 1/2 mile deep on posted property and 2 birds over the limit. 

[deerhunt1988]

Please correct me if I'm wrong here. The MS Commission of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks recently (2022?) created a new regulation to limit the number of non-resident hunters on public lands due overcrowding and pressure on the turkey population. The new regulation requires non-residents to apply for a limited public land permit. The purpose of the regulation was to reduce the number of non-residents using public lands and harvesting turkeys.

Social media played no small part in creating the need to limit non-resident hunters.

A social media influencer applied for a limited public land hunting permit, which means to hunt legally they agreed to abide by the State of Mississippi's regulations. It clearly states in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the MDWFP website that "Drawn non-resident hunters may be accompanied by one licensed guest, aged 16 years or older". Pretty cleverly written! 

Now a social media influencer has been ticked by a wildlife officer for breaking a regulation that had to be created because of overuse, largely brought on by social media. Furthermore they either did not read the hunting regulations or they chose to ignore them.

No, I do not feel bad for them, nor o I feel that this is government overreach. I didn't watch the video, so maybe I'm making assumption here.

You nailed it.

Plenty of other states require you to buy a license to participate in the hunt. This wouldn't be such a big deal if it wasn't for who it is. Props to the warden for patrolling and doing their job.

[GobbleNut]

It clearly states in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the MDWFP website that "Drawn non-resident hunters may be accompanied by one licensed guest, aged 16 years or older".

If this is the actual wording of the regulation, the entire issue is a no-brainer.  I would go to court, show the judge my driver's license, he would dismiss the case while admonishing the wildlife agency to learn how to write regulations properly, and I would walk out the door. 

On the other hand, if the wording of the regulation actually reads something to the effect of " ...may be accompanied by one guest who has a valid turkey hunting license in the state of Mississippi" then I would admittedly very sheepishly (like the video shows the THP boys did) accept my fate, pay my fine, and try to be more thorough when reviewing state hunting regulations.
 

[Guskie]

GN - that is how it is stated in the "Frequently Asked Questions" page. I hope it more clearly defined in state code.

[GobbleNut]

GN - that is how it is stated in the "Frequently Asked Questions" page. I hope it more clearly defined in state code.

I suspect that it is...and is probably pretty clear in the regs, as well. I only pointed it out because I have seen some pretty badly worded regulations over the years from agencies that should have known better. 

[Zobo]

Feel bad for them?!!! This is called CONTENT, for their hunting shows. They probably set it up. 500$?!! are you guys kidding me, you think that's a  significant sum of money for that corporation? You see we are talking about it. It creates controversy which equates to money in the bank for THP.

[TrackeySauresRex]

Feel bad for them?!!! This is called CONTENT, for their hunting shows. They probably set it up. 500$?!! are you guys kidding me, you think that's a  significant sum of money for that corporation? You see we are talking about it. It creates controversy which equates to money in the bank for THP.

  Drama will get more clicks and subscribers.

[Shiloh]

They got a ticket for not following the regs.  They made a video about it to warn others to carefully check the regs and also to get ahead of the internet assumptions.  They haven't made any excuses for what they did nor have they been negative about the officer or what she did. No more no less. 

[deerhunt1988]

Feel bad for them?!!! This is called CONTENT, for their hunting shows. They probably set it up. 500$?!! are you guys kidding me, you think that's a  significant sum of money for that corporation? You see we are talking about it. It creates controversy which equates to money in the bank for THP.

Video had ~10,000 views when someone sent it to me last night about 2 hours after being posted. Its now nearly at 100k views in a day. $$$$$

The folks simping over them in the comments is hilarious. Its literally a cult-like following for these YouTubers.

On the huge Mississippi Turkey Hunters Facebook group, the bulk of the comments are on the other end of the spectrum. Glad people are finally waking up to the damage that has been done.

[POk3s]

I think it could have very easily been a warning, just like most "small" issues or easily overlooked things. Sounds like the game wardens were waiting on them when they came out which makes me wonder if an OldGobbler member didn't recognize their vehicle and immediately call the authorities on them

Regardless, a $500 is a bit much, if a fine at all, for that violation.

They owned it before anybody spun a story of it. Admirable of them of not trying to hide anything.

[GAmountainman]

Some of the money they've made from state wildlife departments should cover that no problem.

[Kygobblergetter]

For whatever it's worth... my buddy wanted to come with me to hunt Mississippi a few years ago and video the hunt. Not for YouTube or anything. We don't post hunts, I was going for a couple days and wanted someone to make the drive and share camp with. We noticed this in the regs and called MDWFP for clarification. He bought a license and videoed me killing a bird. He's a good friend.


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[Kygobblergetter]

I feel that it is a stupid rule, but it's the rule. I'm sure we have all overlooked some regulation at some point. But if we were caught and ticketed over it, then it is what it is.


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[bbcoach]

I think we are losing sight of the REAL picture here.  This has NOTHING to do with how WE view or feel about THP and their videos, followers and possible detriment to turkey hunting.  What we need to focus on is the Rule of Law.  The argument I have is there was ZERO intent to Hunt.  Most State Regs have a page that refers to Manner of Taking and NO where does it state taking game with a camera.  If this is the State of MS view, then people that are nature lovers, videoing or taking pictures with a camera of elk, deer, turkeys, bears etc could be written a ticket for Hunting Without a License as well.  I contend that if the State of Mississippi can do this to THP and take away their 1st Amendment rights, they can do this to any of us as well.  Great thread Greg and Great posts everyone.

[aclawrence]

For whatever it's worth... my buddy wanted to come with me to hunt Mississippi a few years ago and video the hunt. Not for YouTube or anything. We don't post hunts, I was going for a couple days and wanted someone to make the drive and share camp with. We noticed this in the regs and called MDWFP for clarification. He bought a license and videoed me killing a bird. He's a good friend.


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That is a good friend! That's an expensive license to pay for to video a hunt.


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