Poached deer - Houston, MN

[SalmonSlayer]

Would you guys be all up in arms if he shot the prize cow out of the pasture?

Just saying.

I would be. This MAN, (19 or 20 years old depending on what story you read, is not a kid!) caused damages that appear to be in excess of $25k from a small business owner. I hate theft in any form. If some yahoo shot a stud bull it'd be just as stupid and just as much of a felony...

[LightningBG]

Tough to repay the business owner from a jail cell. And if this kid goes to prison, he will only become more of a criminal.

[Predator]

Would you guys be all up in arms if he shot the prize cow out of the pasture?

Just saying.

Just saying what?

What that person did is 100% wrong no matter how you slice it. Why compare it to anything else?

[bayside]

Have some guy in the ghetto break into a drug store and steal $10,000 of ox-continen and I'll bet no one here would offer any leniency: it's a felony, throw the book at 'em, first time offense or not. And I agree that is what should be done here. And just to really stir things up: nothing good ever comes out of these game farms for deer and elk: they are chronic wasting disease magnets and a risk to our native REAL deer (and elk, if you live in Grygla). The guys who run these things are no different than the knuckleheads in Arkansas who thought it would be great idea to bring in a few Asian Carp to clean up their catfish ponds. They were STUPID and now we're looking at millions to undo their stupidity. If the catfish farmers and deer ranchers were actually held liable for the potential chaos they can unleash none of them would be in the business they are in. We're taking the risk for their rewards. That would also be known as welfare. You want to be a deer farmer: get a $10,000,000 insurance policy if things go bad and the state has to eradicate 4 counties of native deer.

[Predator]

Tough to repay the business owner from a jail cell. And if this kid goes to prison, he will only become more of a criminal.

No way to say that for certain. Who is to say that guy isnt just wired wrong and what he's done so far is just the tip of the iceberg? Who is to say doing a little time might not be just the kick in the @ss he needs to straighten himself out? Cant really say either way, can we? All we can do is hope he gets punished to the fullest extent possible and see what comes of it. I am not saying he should be crucified over this or anything like that, but I also dont think they should go lighter on him out of fear he will go from bad to worse.

[jay83196]

Deserves everything he gets and more, we have probably all had something stolen or vandalized in life these people that do it don't care at all and if laws were stiffer it might make them think twice.

[eyeguy 54]

Maybe he shoulda shot a prize bull, probably would not have put that on FB and he could be enjoying some nice tough steaks. sheesh bobby malone lol

[bobbymalone]

Just saying what?

What that person did is 100% wrong no matter how you slice it. Why compare it to anything else?

I agree with you there. Dude destroyed property, punish him the same as if he shot the prize cow or beat a corvette to death with a baseball bat.

My comments are about separating the "hunting" aspect from it. I'm not comparing it something else --- he shot livestock. That he violated no game laws and he doesn't need to be made an example of any more than someone that shot the prize cow needs to be made an example of. Does that mean prison time? I dunno, not familiar with the laws. But I do know that it's pretty ridiculous to 'throw the book' at this guy any more than anyone else and that you can't throw the book at every one that breaks the law. If it's a felony, I'm sure the fullest extent of the law is probably more than what the average rapist gets. Save the jail cells for those jagoffs.

He shot livestock. Restitution, fine, community service. I'd be fine with that.

[james_walleye]

Maybe if we threw the book at more people in this country we wouldn't have half the problems we do. Everyone gets a slap on the wrist and gets told no no. So sick of punishments not fitting the crime in this country. Punishment for crimes in this country aren't enough to discourage people from pulling [PoorWordUsage]. This guy should get jail time and a rapist should lose his johnson.

[certified jumbo]

IMO.....Fine, restitution, and comm. service is what he will likely get. I would be shocked if he got more than that(jail or prison).

[Musky Buck]

Speaking of shooting the prize bull or cow that happened 3x in the section I live in during August and September, 1 of them 50yards from my house all killed with close range 12 gauge shotguns, wish I was home that night. The local farmer said don't call the cops if you catch them, call me and my boys first. I always wonder when the blank hits the fan finally what laws etc. these characters have already broken in life and they got away scott free so I feel no pity. Live and learn and become a better person moving forward. If I were him my family would punish me worse than the law, they'd never look at me the same again.

[MattL]

Just in case anyone was wondering... I just read an article on F&S online that said he was recently charged. Sounds like he got a $54,000 fine and 10 years loss of hunting and fishing priveleges.