TIP Works - Will You Be Next?

[Dave]

If you think you won't get caught, you better think again.

Caught With 220 Fish Overlimit

[Dakota Iceman]

Isnt that enough to just tick ya right off!!! Doesnt really matter what state they were from of or what state they did it in. It gives people a bad attitude on out of staters. Iceman oout>

[Norsky]

I personally think the fines should be even higher, how about taking the trucks also??? It's not like they accidentally went over their limit by a couple of fish, this is absolutely disgusting. Those were some big sunnies too. I hope they can permanently ban them from obtaining any fishing or hunting priviledges in Minnesota again. I think the state needs to crack down on these people even harder than what they do already.

[Duffer]

what a waste i hope thoses fish are able to be donated to some type of charity thoses are some nice sunnyies it just makes me sick.

[klbowe]

GOOD !

They who steal from the lakes and woods deserve to lose their gear and their rights.

Most of us carry cell phones. PLEASE ! I ask that you take the time RIGHT NOW to program the TIP phone number into your speed dial so you have it when you need it.

Here is the number and details on the program for Minnesota found on the DNR HSOforum.

Turn in Poachers (TIP)

Statewide toll-free: 1-800-652-9093

24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Turn In Poachers, TIP Inc., is a private, non-profit organization of conservationists concerned about poaching problems. TIP Inc., provides all reward monies for the program. The division cooperates with the TIP program, which was instigated to encourage the public to report natural resource violations. The information and the person reporting can be kept confidential. Persons reporting violations are asked to obtain as much information from observation as possible, and to report all violations as soon as possible. If an arrest is initiated, the person reporting the violation may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000, depending upon the seriousness of the crime. The reward amount will be determined by an impartial panel. Since its inception in 1981, this program has been a deterrent to the senseless waste of wildlife and is extremely beneficial to the DNR Enforcement Division.

For those of you from other states that have a TIP program please look up your states HOTLINE number and post it on this thread to help your state out.

[freighttrain50]

that makes three for the sick feeling. they should ban them for hunting and fishing in this state as well as in there home state. The fines should definately be higher. This is rediculous and they should be prosicuted to the max. People like this should not be able to participate in these activities because i feel these things are privaledges and they have abused their privaledge.

[freighttrain50]

as for the reward goes for turning in the poachers, isn't it reward enough to turn in a poacher? Give the money to DNR in helping restock the lake or something like that. Just a thought.

[Eric Wettschreck]

It's good to see that the TIP program actually works. This is absolutely disgusting.

[hawkeye43]

and people ask why I have the tip phone number in my cell phone, so its there if I ever need it.

[Ole1855]

I too am sickened by this type of behavior, and I agree with someone that mentioned earlier that they should be banned for life from having the privilage to hunt and fish in our state. It would be one thing if someone was caught with one sunny over their limit, heck, maybe they miscounted. But for these four guy's to have 220 sunnies over their limit, that's no oops and there is no excuse for it. Ban them for life.

Ole

[irvingdog]

Before the next flame-bait, hate filled thread about immigrant poaching, remember this:

Strine

Hamilton

Price

McCullough

220 big fat sunnies. I guess Hmong folks don't have the monolopy on poaching.........

[EBass]

I'm glad they were caught. And I too think the fines should be higher. Good for the person who called them in and good for the DNR on catching them. Yes TIP is programmed in my cell.

[CrappieJohn]

Part of the problem lies in the ability of the offenders to toss out the discover card and pa

[CrappieJohn]

Part of the problem lies in the ability of the offenders to toss out the discover card and pay up. Why not take the vehicle and tackle, put them in the clink for a week and then make them pay cash...no checks.

These same guys can come back next year, purchase a new license and go for it again. Take the license option away for five years and get some neighboring states to enter into a reciprocity agreement.

[slick814]

Exactly the reason the the TIP line is on voice dial on my cell phone.

They should have some kind of lifetime ban from obtaining any kind of fishing/hunting license in MN. Hopefully, WI and MN have an understanding on it and they'll face something at home too...

[jigginjerk]

Sportsman?? Fisherman?? Neither.Theives!!! Couldn't possibly get what they deserve.Think about it they just deprived about 100 kids the joy of catching a couple of those slabs and making a day they would remember for the rest of their lives.Heck! Catching a few of those myself would be memorable.Again no true sportsman would consider doing something so disrespectful. I agree take away all hunting and fishing rights in the five state area.

[Ole #1]

I know I won't be next because I don't poach.

I'm kind of offended by the wording of the post. I don't think it's fair to assume that people on this site are poachers.

[Dave]

Quote:

---

I know I won't be next because I don't poach.

I'm kind of offended by the wording of the post. I don't think it's fair to assume that people on this site are poachers.

---

Ole, I thought about the title before I hit submit but, I decided to leave it. NO offense was meant to anyone here and my intention of the title was to make people think BEFORE they do it. If this thread stops one person from poaching, it was well worth it. You know as well as I, and we've read posts on here about some doing illegal acts (some are edited before you may even read the posts). We are human and have the ability to do what's right or wrong. Some people make the wrong choice. I'm glad the posters in this thread are somewhat in an uproar. That's what I intended this thread to do; to make readers on FM know that many will call TIP. Program the TIP number on your cell phone people. Let's help catch poachers like these guys! Actually, call your state representatives, too, and ask for stiffer penalties for poachers!

[rubber duck]

Just taking away their license isnt going to stop them from doing it next time!

[Ole #1]

I understand why you worded it that way now.

I have used the tip line too and ask anyone else to do the same if you see someone poaching. We do have to preserve what we have.

Ole

[fishing41]

Fines are WAY TOO LOW!!! Not just for poachers either. If you're going to break the law, you've got to PAY. It's gotta hurt the pocket bock and hurt bad if it's going to make people think twice--be it poaching or whatever. I'm sick of the whimpy fines/punishments.

[muskybuck]

I guess before I would say the fines were way to low I would like to know how much their boats were worth. $1,000. or $30,000. Then I would say a five year suspension on all hunting and fishing license's for sure, all states, not just MN or WI.

[Eastwind]

I'll go on record to say that if I ever see that someone is blatently ( not accidental) violating a Fish and Game law I will gladly turn them in and not expect one dime for doing it. And yes, they should be suspended from fishing or hunting for a very long time as part of the pinishment.

[mnfishman]

I too agree that the punishment isn't strict enough. I read on the DNR HSOforum that they can each receive a fine of up to $3000 and a year in jail. I personally think they should get the max but we all know that they will only lose their fishing privileges for this year and probably get fined a couple of hundred each.

Unfortunately that is our loss not their's.

[HeavyD]

I have a better idea! Just like those WI hunters who have to wear a number on their backs to identify their license number, I say these offenders must wear a "scarlet letter" of sorts to indicate they are prior offenders. If approached by a CO who catches them again and they are not properly licensed and identifiable by their badge of dishonor, they face extreme penalties. Kind of like a 2 strikes and out deal.

That way, us hunters and fisherpeople who choose to abide by the laws, can heckle and glare at them when at the lake or in the field.

Unless this would be considered a form of communism, in which case I think we should just stone 'em.

HeavyD