Poacher nabbed after posting kills on Facebook

[DonBo]

Poacher nabbed after posting kills on Facebook

A 20-year-old Ham Lake man faces nearly $2,000 in fines and restitution for recently poaching two bucks and shooting an over-limit of Canada geese -- and then posting his exploits on his Facebook page.

By DOUG SMITH , Star Tribune

It's a sign of the times.

A 20-year-old Ham Lake man faces nearly $2,000 in fines and restitution for recently poaching two bucks and shooting an over-limit of Canada geese -- and then posting his exploits on his Facebook page.

"It was definitely not smart,'' said Department of Natural Resources conservation officer Travis Muyres, who handled the case.

Here's what happened:

The hunter posted a photo on Facebook of a small buck he killed in September during the archery season, then posted a photo of an 8-point trophy buck he arrowed in October. In Minnesota, hunters can kill only one buck per season. He later posted a photo of him and two buddies posing with 12 Canada geese they shot.

"In the caption, he wrote it was a 'three-man limit of geese,' " Muyres said. But the daily bag limit is three geese apiece, meaning they were three over their limit.

Someone spotted the postings and called the Turn In Poachers (TIP) line. Muyres confronted the men with their own evidence.

"They admitted everything,'' he said. "It makes it easy when you have all the photos.''

The bow hunter will lose his bow and both deer. He faces $1,000 restitution for the trophy deer, which scored 130 points, and faces charges for failing to tag the first deer, shooting an over-limit of deer and shooting an over-limit of geese. Fines could total around $800.

And it could have been much worse: He took the trophy deer to a taxidermist in Wisconsin, meaning he violated the federal Lacey Act by transporting illegally taken game across state lines, said Muyres. Officials could have seized the vehicle he used to transport the deer.

Meanwhile, his two friends will be cited for shooting an over-limit of geese.

[bassmann77]

Should have taken his car too!!! He knew what he was doing and obviously is a habitual poacher

[MUSKY18]

This guy is either the balliest person on earth or hasn't a clue what regulations and laws are. For doing something this brazen, they should have gotten his vehicle and hammered the fines on him, pulled his license to hunt for a loooong time.

[DonBo]

If every poacher was as stupid as this guy, we'd be able to catch 'em all.

[jwmiller33]

i personally think the fines should be over double what they currently are for this type of illegal act. I dont think $2,000 in fines is enough to give these guys enough incentive not to do it again.... i agree they should have taken his car too, b/c it aided him in his illegal acts. he deserves to lose his hunting privileges too... anyone know if his hunting privileges are revoked?

[thatoneguy]

If every poacher was as stupid as this guy, we'd be able to catch 'em all.

+1

[Dylan33]

Do the fines seem rather small to anyone else? $2000 isn't exactly pocket change, but come on....thats a trophy buck, several geese, crossing state lines, etc. Why give the guy a break? Make an example of him....follow the rules or pay the price!

[mrklean]

read that in the star today, he got of easy, i hope they still take his truck, i am firm believer we need stricter laws in Mn for poaching its a slap on the hand yeah $2000 is a lot but thats a 130" trophy gone forever.

[sticknstring]

Glad to hear that he was caught. I read in Outdoor News today that a "hunter" was cited for baiting near Virginia and had his firearm siezed. This same individual was cited for the same thing in 2007. Obviously the first slap on the wrist was no deterrent. Lets crack the whip a little here.

[LightningBG]

Should have taken his car too!!! He knew what he was doing and obviously is a habitual poacher

I'm no fan of poachers, but why is it every-time someone get caught, they are "HABITUAL"?

Does someone have some information that I don't see?

Is a murderer always a serial killer?

[mrklean]

Well he bragged about shooting more geese then the bag limit allows and shot 2 bucks one wasnt tagged, seems habitual to me

[hockeybc69]

Hate to say it, but the story is funny really.

[TRZ II]

He is a young guy, hopefully he will learn a painful and expensive lesson and become a good sportsman. i bet many of us did some things when we were 20 we are not proud of now? Too bad a relative or mentor could not have taught him these lessons.

[Coach1310]

I know a lot of folks think he got off easy and maybe he did, but you have to consider that a deal with lesser penalties is often the best way for things to go.... as much as it sucks to see folks get away with lighter penalties.... consider every violator fighting their charges with an attorney and tying up the court system for months, years etc.... not only are they tying up themselves, but they are tying up conservation officers, state attorney staff, judges etc.... and if the criminal system now is any example, I would be willing to bet 80% are repeat offenders so saying that uping the penalties will deter people is a stretch in my opinion...

[LightningBG]

Hate to say it, but the story is funny really.

I must admit I had a little chuckle too. I certainly dont think its the end of the world as we know it. 1 part malicious, 1 part ignorance, 2 parts stupidity.

I make sure I dont break the rules and try to make sure those around me dont either. I'm not going to get my undies in a bunch about some kid breaking them. give him his punishment and move on. It's the exact same final outcome to an outsider as if one of his buddies shot one of the bucks and they had their girlfriend along for the goose hunting.

Is it right, no. Is it the end of the world, no.

[wannafish2]

Lightening...maybe poachers are like shoplifters and only average getting caught 1x for every 20x they actually do the deed. idk, just a thought.

[gatorhunter]

Lightening...maybe poachers are like shoplifters and only average getting caught 1x for every 20x they actually do the deed.

SHAZZAM! The first time caught is never the first time the violation was committed!

[creepworm]

Lightning, I agree with you 100%. Yes it is not right what he did, but there is no need to ruin this kids life. Believe me, $2000 will force him to think more than twice before doing it again. Believe it or not, some people don't really realize what they are doing is wrong until they get caught, then even a slap on the wrist is enough to make them stop and think about what they have done.

[archerystud]

I don't mind them not coming down on them too hard the first time. Sometimes people do learn from their mistakes.

However, any sort of second occurance (after being caught) should levy some very hefty fines, IMO.