WHAT HAPPEN??

[City_Slicker]

Hey what happen to that thread about those poachers getting caught after stopped for speeding? I wanted that link with the pictures of all the fish displayed out.

[beaverlakeman]

Cant find any pics of it, but here is the link to the story..
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthtribune/news/local/8730918.htm

[irvingdog]

"What happened" is that some folks don't know how to act. Try communicating here like your mom or your preacher was about to read your post right after you sent it.
It's to bad. It could be constructive dialogue, but it degenerates into racial gereralizations that just show ignorance.
And I'm a staunch conservative republican, so lets not go there.........

[Rick]

Look everyone, the poaching issue is not about race.

IT'S ABOUT POACHING

Let's talk about that.

Don't play the race card here unless you are a racist. If you are a racist and we know it, we will ban you. Go sing it at your local KKK, Black Panther or whatever rally. It's not welcome here. If you see someone talk about race while pointing fingers, just click on your moderator link in this forum and send them an e-mail informing them.

End of story.

Now let's talk about the poaching issue. Also disturbing is the fact that these walleyes were not cleaned and it sounds like they were starting to rot.

[icehousebob]

Rick, Amen.

[huskiesplayer15]

Thank you Rick!
Best Fishes
Chris

[JP Z]

Here is the link to the picture

http://www.startribune.com/images/embed/4790064_78391.html

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Tight Lines,
JP Z

[walleyejon]

If I'm reading the information correctly, the maximum fines for the walleyes and sunfish would total $6515, and they have their license taken for three years. IMO, there has to be a point where exceeding limits to an extent like this results in jail terms, and much harsher monetary fines. In this particular case, if MN had a per fish over the limit fine of say a hundred bucks a fish, these guys would be looking at just shy of 24 grand apiece, and if you can't pay the fine, then do the time. Hunting and fishing in Minnesota is one of our greatest resources, bringing millions of dollars into our state and local economies. I can't believe our legislature wouldn't want to do their best to protect that. I have voiced my opinion via email to St. Paul, asking for harsher penalties, and siting this case. I urge you all to the same.

[basser]

Rick , I agree that it is about the poaching aspect. It doesnt matter what color you are ,or what nationality,it comes down to respect! There are certain people who have no respect for our laws ,ways. We have all seen these actions taking place, and it is up to us to take action,be the offender white ,black, asian, whatever , and expect the law to be colorblind the same way that we should be.

Lets go fishing, Dan

[walleyejon]

Crappiebait,

Thanks for the reply.
Besides posting your suggestions here, you should also tell our representatives what you think by phone letter, email, whatever. If our wheels squeak loud enough, they just might get a little grease.

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Fish on gotta go--JON

[Guest]

After you call the T.I.P. line how quick are they to respond now with so few DNR out there? I know this may be a stupid question but, I fish a couple times a week and in the last five years I have only been checked once. I don't mind being checked I would feel a lot better if I was. I don't feel we have enough DNR officers out there.

[panolo]

Her is the response I recieved when I asked how much the fine would be:

The adults face fines of up to $3,000 each, one year in jail, or both.
The restitution value for the walleye listed in the criminal complaint
is $2790. For any further questions or comment they can be directed to:

Rich Sprouse
Public Information Officer
Minnesota DNR Enforcement
15011 Highway 115 (Camp Ripley)
Little Falls, MN 56345-4173
[email protected]
320-616-2511

[Rick]

rapala,
Don't stop with calling TIP. Call the local sheriff or police department as well. Let them know that a crime is IN PROGRESS if you see any criminal activity, which includes poaching. It also doesn't hurt to ask when they will have someone on the scene. Do not be afraid to document poor response from law enforcment and report it to a higher level.

My belief is that typically they will respond very well to these reports as a large majority of law enforcement folks are also outdoor users and anglers who dislike that type of behaviour as well.

[jlm]

I agree with Rick, never turn a blind eye and do what you can. We owe that to our resources since we to utilize them! Keep the calls going fellas!

[panolo]

We turned in some people a few years ago and we were also told not to hesitate to call the county sherrif. A deputy was actually the one that came out and made the bust. So don't give up! If you see a violation report it! It will only make our resources better!

[JP Z]

This goes along the idea of there being only a few CO's out there. A friend of mine was checked by a CO from McGregor while fishing Mille Lacs last week.............What the HECK!!!!

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Tight Lines,
JP Z

[irvingdog]

Jeff,

C.O.'s do a rotating duty in one anothers area's of jurisdiction.

[Guest]

Thanks for the info everyone I will keep it in mind if I see pouching or other illegal activity out on the water.

[CRAPPIEBAIT]

WALLEYEJON,
I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH YOU.I SAY WHY NOT $200 PER FISH AND NEVER BE ABLE TO FISH IN THIS STATE AGAIN.NOT A COUPLE HUNDRED $$ AND NO RIGHTS FOR 3 YEARS.THE FACT IS THE HARSHER THE FINE,THE MORE 1 "MIGHT" THINK ABOUT BREAKING THE LAW.RATHER THAN THE THOUGHT OF "WELL IF WE GET BUSTED,WE CAN SPLIT THE $500 FINE AND WELL WE ALREADY BROKE THE LAW ONCE, WHO SAYS I CAN'T FISH FOR 3 YEARS". CATCH ME IF YOU CAN !!

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Greg

[JP Z]

IrvDog,

Thanks,(I'm JP) but it still seems a bit strange that someone from McGregor is out on Mille Lacs. I mean it's good and all so they can get a feel for other lakes and all it just seems they would have enough going on in their jurisdiction to keep busy.

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Tight Lines,
JP Z

[Ben1022]

I'm all for stiffer fines for gross neglegence like this. Consider just how valuble this resource is to MN. Then consider how much time and money it takes to get a fish to that size. This is beyond absurdity. What are these people thinking? What is the motive to take that many fish, let alone have a ridiculous amount over thier limit in their freezers. There is something else to this situation.
Slap them on the wrist and it'll continue beyond our wildest dreams OR Make an example out of this situation and perhaps the DNR will get some deserved respect and protect our resources we pay for. I gotta stop here or I'm going to melt down.

[united jigsticker]

Remember, the fish (sunnies) from their freezer weren't cleaned either.

So I suspect they were probably rotting when they were frozen as well.

All these fish were going to go for waste.

I think some people just like to show off their fish, and nothing more.

To me, that's like watching a bunch of rib eye steaks go to waste while I am starving after not eating for 3 days. Fried fish...Oh man I can taste them now.

I tell ya, I tell ya...What do I tell ya?

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Good fishing,
UJ
[email protected]

[TheGuy]

Talking about stiffer laws, does anyone know if any other states have stiffer laws against poaching? If these fish were taken from Wis. is it a Federal crime? Just want to find out and I also would like to know why MN does not have stiffer laws for this.

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Get the Net!!

[psegriz]

I think one problem is with immigrants. I don't neccissarily mean ones from a different country. Some yes but some are just from a different state. I have run into many times people from another state are doing something they just think is no big deal until I told them that's illegal in MN. One guy just moved to this state and I happened to hook his trotline and he showed up while I's untangling the mess. Started giving me he!! about stealing his fish. Well after explaining what happened and telling him that what he was doing was illegal. His response was "well how are you supposed to catch fish then." I can think of other instances but to cut this short I'll say some people violate the laws because they honestly don't know. Others just don't care. I think both should be punished but the ones who don't care should recieve a more severe punishment.

GRIZ

I also think some who don't know should have spent more time trying to find out.

[This message has been edited by psegriz (edited 05-28-2004).]

[TheGuy]

Does anyone know if other states have stiffer laws against this sort of thing? If these fish were taken from Wis. would this be a Federal crime? Just want to know why the law is not stiffer here in MN.
It takes all of us to protect our state!! Not just CO's!

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Get the Net!!