Big bucks worth more than does & fawns!

[hoppe56307]

I say take it one step further and base the fine on a per inch bases for a buck, and start at $5,000 and a 5 year suspension of all fishing and hunting privleges, since it takes approximatly 5 years for a buck to reach trophy standards.

[Gordie]

I think some are missing the "whole" point...it's not just "poaching"...the same penaltys will also include...."4) any other violation involving taking a deer..."

So, if you have a 170 or better buck in the back of your truck and you get ticketed for a loaded or uncased firearm,(in areas or situation where they must be cased...ie: in certain towns, etc), Or, if you get caught using cell phones or other types of radio in locating the animal, or, if in your excitement you did not clear the "road right of way" before you started shooting...baiting...etc...

"ANY other violation...involving taking a deer"...

Like I stated in my first post its a start.

You will have to know before you enter the woods what is right and wrong

not just the I didnt know answer anymore. If you trespass or break any other law to take a deer and you get caught you should be held accountable for your actions and thats what this law is doing holding the person accountable for their actions.

[mainbutter]

any increased penalty on poaching is a good thing IMO.

[TonkaBass]

+1

[SDPROV]

+1

[lichen fox]

Basicly I am not against any larger penaltys for game violations...However I do not agree with setting the bar at 170...why not something lower? I would like to know how many 170 inch bucks are taken in an illegal manner each year that would prompt them to even consider doubling the penalty's for any violation associated with a buck that size...if they are truly trying to curb game violations, why fine someone with a loaded firearm in the vehicle and a doe or 160 inch buck in the back of the truck $175...and the person caught doing the same thing $350...unless there is a higher percentage of 170 and up class deer shot ilegally each year than there are does, fawns or bucks that don't measure up...

[Spike76]

If big deer are worth more then a liscense to hunt a big deer should cost more. If everyone has to have a big deer to be happy, most will be unhappy. I shot a fawn on the last day this year and was thrilled. I love to go deer hunting, the chance of shooting a deer is thrilling. I've shot two ten pointers through the years but I've shot somewhere between seventy and a hundred deer, mostly does, fawns, and spikes. I would hate to go without venison just because someone needs help to shoot a big deer. Work harder because big deer are out there.