If you mailed the evidence to the local officals with the address and a detailed discription of what you saw I believe you would be within the law. Your intent was to stop a crime.

Apparently we got two threads running on this issue at the same time!

So this is what I just posted on the other thread for what ever it's worth!


Here's one for you to try!

Try calling up your local Sheriff Office and ask them what to do! Explain to them that what these persons were doing (fishing legally) and that they were breaking the law and appeared to be willing to continue breaking the law. Explain to them that you where not near any phones so you would not call in the illegal act. Explain to them that all you were trying to do is to prevent any more fish from being snagged and that illegal limits of fish were already lying on the banks.

Explain that you did not "steal" there fishing tackle, but instead you confiscated it only to prevent any future crimes from being committed. Explain to the Sheriff that you do not want there fishing equipment and that you are willing to press charges against this person.

Give them a call from a play phone if you're worried about them knowing who you are and ask them what you should do. I do not know what the laws are concerning a citizen making an arrest in this state, but you might want to do some research on the issue.

Either way, you need to turn the fishing tackle over to the Sheriff and tell them why you had to do what you did. To do less, is like waiting to be caught for doing a crime. Who knows, maybe the guy didn't even call the police and or file a report. If that's the case, no legal crime has been committed as of yet. Make the call and see what they say. Or better yet call the WDFW enforcement poacher hot line and ask them what you should do at 1-800-477-6224

That's what I would be doing if I was standing in your shoes at this time. If you don't do something, then you will be considered a thief in the eyes of the law. What's the difference if a person who takes the keys away from a guy who is driving drunk? You only took the keys away to prevent the person from doing another criminal act; the intent was not to steel his keys. They don't arrest you when you take away the persons keys who performing an illegal act, so why would they arrest you for taking away the tools that the person was committed the crime with? Good luck! And let us know what you decided to do.

You may be able to sleep well at night, but you will always wonder if someone saw you leaving the area. Did that person see who you were? Did they get your car or trucks license plate number? Will someone you tell fink on you? It's just not worth it!


Cowlitzfisherman

CF, good post . I couldn't have said any better. If I was in his shoes I'd take your recomendation. There are alot of talent of people on this board and theres always someone giving good advice. Kinda like root cause analysis. Instead of debating and arguing, figure how to fix the problem.

Erndog