On Saturday, I turned in 5 snaggers to the gamie when he arrived where we were fishing. First, they were fishing closed waters. Second, it was in plain-sight of everyone angling, and everyone else for that matter. Third, they were snagging these fish.

Well after DanS and I left with our 3 legal fish, the gamie stops me and tells us of the situation and thanks me for my effort. Ok, gamie took down my name, address, and I think phone number. My question is this, "Why?"

My second question may coincide with the first, but "Am I entitled to some kind of reward for turning in poachers?" Thanks.

He'll probably just want to get a formal witness statement from you, in case the poachers make a fuss. Just tell 'em what you saw

The officer had to establish 'misdemeanor presence' in order to ticket these guys, but he can use you and your testimony to support the tickets he carved in case it comes down to a case of 'he said, she said', (the she's being the p***ies who couldn't fish the right way). He had to witness their actions in person.

As to the reward, well, you got it already. Seeing these pukes get carved, and then the personal thanks from the Gamie is all you will get, unless I am mistaken. The only rewards that I know of are when you report a poacher (not hunter) who has made some kind of game violation, not related to fish. See page 10 of the hunting regs.

Good job on getting these guys off of the river. Did they happen to lose any gear to the game warden?

Andy

Yes, it was a reward to see them stopped, and maybe it will curb others, since the gamie says they have been repeating these offenses according to witnesses. I thought that it didn't matter, but if a poacher was turned in by you, and they were prosecuted, you would get a reward.

As far as I know (for now), they didn't lose any gear, but I will call the gamie and find out more information since he gave me his card.

wish someone could share more light on the subject.

Actually `neck, I'd put some money down that you probably were wearing your brother's waders by accident again. Yeah they're a bit snug, but with what they do for your butt I'll bet that your gamie friend was trying to picture you with a long blonde wig on.

Where did this occur? Andy

I believe the warden needed that info to know where to send the free lifetime supply of duct tape, and banjo strings! j/k

Actually, like Dogfish said, in-case the perps challenge the ticket in court, they may need you to testify. You think what you saw was bad that day, wait till November! You won't hear much english spoken either by anyone casting between the buoys!

I'm not aware of any cash reward for turning in poachers (don't we wish) I would say just be proud of a job well done.

Used to be, in the old days, three violations in the state in a ten year period and you were out for life. NO-MO-FISHY
Can't find that one in the regs no more.


Great job neck.

THANKS

Good job.Red Neck!!!!
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Depends on if snagging is considered poaching and if fishing closed waters is considered poaching. Ifso turning in a poacher is worth 10 preference points when applying for big game tags, But only with a conviction. So you should check to see if it qualify's. I have some friends that got drawn for some sweet bull elk hunts because they had the 10 points.

Redneck brings up a good point with the idea of the reward. Beyond the satisfaction of knowing the losers got caught, - if convicted, it would be cool if their gear was forfeitted to the person or persons whom turned them in. The State could hold it as evidence until the conclusion of their hearing. May be crap gear, but maybe not...

Incentivize the good eggs to rid the waters of the bad eggs!!

I know some out there would be wishing the poachers brought along a sheep that gets confiscated...

The preferrence points are clear when related to poaching wildlife, but here is what two different wildlife offices said about turning in fish poachers.

Region 6 staff were under the impression that there were no points available.

The main enforcement office thinks that there are points available.

Hey y'all, If you are a hunter and like good hunts, I would check it out with the officer you talked with as well as the main office in Olympia, 902-2936. Hopefully the main office is right. And if you want help on your moose hunt (once in a lifetime), let me know and I get you to a few areas. ANdy

Plus, if you bring it up the next time you're trying to impress a woman you might get some extra kitty points for being a man of morals.

She doesn't have to know the truth.

Good going Mike! Another reward beyond that some poachers were nabbed and other would-be poachers may take heed, you have set the example of what all of us need to get after in the near and distant future. This low water year with record numbers of fish coming are a setup for the all time worse snagging and poaching frenzies region wide, and we all need to help protect what we payed for and is for all of us to fish for properly and equally - unless you are an Indian of course; then you get unfair extra amounts. Thanks for your actions Mike. - Steve (RT)

Are you guys OK?

First, there's talk of Hey Y'all and morals......and then some of you are encouraging the redneck to take up firearms?!! The woods just wouldn't be safe anymore!

You should have seen this guy.....leaving the hot bite to go clean up the riffraff. I was impressed with his gumption
Some guys are just a tad slow...........

One thing I did notice.....there were a LOT of fish being foul-hooked (you almost couldn't help it) but not many guys were keeping fouled fish. Nice to see........

I grew up on the east coast, lived in Maine for years, if you were caught poaching in Maine, especially for something like a deer or moose, they'd take everything... your rifle, your truck, all your gear, everything.
I think the laws here should be tougher, if you keep kings and you're not supposed to, they should be able to take your boat... it would scare people straight... but only as long as they did it for the commercail fishermen also... if they keep kings when you're supposed to be fishing for sockeye or coho, take the guy's damn boat, he won't do it again; none of this $500 fine crap, that doesn't stop the commercials, there's too much money involved.

-N.

Thanks for all the input.

Dan, you know I have about as much morals as a drunk, blind man walking into the SeaGals lockerroom and having to feel his way to the exit.

Thanks for the number. I'll give them a call and see if I can get preference points; not as good as kitty points, but that includes buying her dinner.

Not to sound soft on crime, but I think the dept of F&W will take care of them just fine. I did someone say, repeat offenders? They don't have to lose their gear. What good is it going to do them, except to remind them of their judicial spanking. Repeat offenders? Some idiots just don't learn. :p

[ 07-26-2001: Message edited by: Vinny ]

[ 07-26-2001: Message edited by: Vinny ]