Turn In Poachers....
JWB475
Posted 12/15/2004 1:51 PM (#128109)
Subject: Turn In Poachers....




Posts: 80


Just read this on the Minnesota DNR website....

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/releases/index.html?id=1103053684

"A group of Wisconsin anglers faces heavy fines and forfeiture of equipment for taking an over limit of sunfish near Orr in northeast Minnesota. Minnesota Conservation Officers Lloyd Steen of Ray and Troy Fondie of Orr recently received a call that four Wisconsin men were taking over limits of sunfish from Blackduck Lake. The caller had descriptions of the two trucks and boats being used. The anglers were found with 220 sunfish over their limit. They each face a fine of up to $3,000, one year in jail or both."

*** Hopefully it is "Both" ***

They were huge sunfish as well...

I am glad to see the TIP line is working. The website has photo's of the fish, their boats, and other equipment.

Over 55 fish, which have not been cleaned, and 30 Ziplock Bags full of fillets... What do you do with so much fish anyway????

Edited by JWB475 12/16/2004 12:47 PM



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tomcat
Posted 12/15/2004 2:02 PM (#128112 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....


when you have for forfeit your equipment to the DNR, what does that mean?
Can you buy it back?
do you get it back after you pay your fines and do your time?
Does the DNR sell it?

what does it mean to forfiet your equipment?
tomcat
Gander Mt Guide
Posted 12/15/2004 2:07 PM (#128113 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....





Posts: 2515


Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI
I love to hear about the TIP lines working. At least it makes other people think a little before trying something so dumb. Is a few more (or alot more in this case) fish worth the penalty of losing your gear and privileges?

I hope they lose all thier stuff, but they probally won't if they show for court and make arrangments to pay thier fines.
muskycore
Posted 12/15/2004 2:26 PM (#128117 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....





Posts: 341


What's the blue gill or crappie limit in WI? How do I report poachers or know for sure if they are over limit? I heard/confirmed a couple of guys ice fishing last year took 200-300 fish out of Van Vliet in 3 days. That's a small lake to take a hit like that and it's also where I have a cabin. I would like to report these guys, what's the number?

Edited by muskycore 12/15/2004 2:27 PM
Pepper
Posted 12/15/2004 2:29 PM (#128118 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....




Posts: 1516


Look on the back of your license or in the regulation book that is available where your buy your license. This should be on the front page of the papers
twitcher
Posted 12/15/2004 2:32 PM (#128119 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....





Posts: 149


Hang 'em High!
Beaver
Posted 12/15/2004 2:34 PM (#128120 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....





Posts: 4266


I love it when rats get caught!
Beav
sorenson
Posted 12/15/2004 2:36 PM (#128122 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....





Posts: 1764


Location: Ogden, Ut
tomcat,
Typically out here, the equipment is seized by the officer as evidence (much confusion it seems - many people think it's 'confiscated' by the officer; it's not - only the court can confiscate). If the defendants show up in court and come to terms with their fine, etc. it is up to the judge to decide the disposition of their equipment. Many factors play into the judge's decision - arresting officer's recommendation, attitude of defendants, seriousness of the violation, etc. If the court keeps them, they often go to public auction (out here they first become the property of Division of Wildlife). Most of the stuff gets sold, some gets kept for 'Turn in Poachers' displays, etc. I'm sure every state/county has it's own process, but this is a pretty common one.
K.
Bytor
Posted 12/15/2004 2:40 PM (#128124 - in reply to #128117)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....





Location: The Yahara Chain
The daily bag limit in Wisconsin for panfish is 25. The possession limit is twice the daily bag.

The dnr has a tollfree number to report poachers. It used to be on the fishing licenses, it no longer is. It is probably in the regs booklet.

Can somebody post this #?
Running_Hot
Posted 12/15/2004 2:56 PM (#128127 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....




Posts: 326


Location: Plainfield IL
I just read this and punched all these into my cell phone. These are all the TIPS (Turn In Poachers) numbers

WI 800-847-9367
IL 877-236-7529
MN 800-652-9093
IN 1-800-TIP-IDNR (800-847-4367).

Edited by Running_Hot 12/15/2004 3:22 PM
muskyboy
Posted 12/15/2004 3:19 PM (#128135 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....


Thanks for those numbers, I encourage everyone to plug them into your cell phones!
tomcat
Posted 12/15/2004 3:23 PM (#128136 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....


Indiana Poachers Hot Line:
800-847-4367

MuskieMike
Posted 12/15/2004 4:43 PM (#128149 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....





Location: Des Moines IA
Thanks for the #'s I always see guys snaggin salmon and trout at Kenosha....... Never knew who to call ........ Now I do......



mike
JWB475
Posted 12/16/2004 12:48 PM (#128255 - in reply to #128149)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....




Posts: 80


I really hope they stick it to these guys, IMO the fines are not stringent enough.
ESOX Maniac
Posted 12/16/2004 1:32 PM (#128259 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....





Posts: 2754


Location: Mauston, Wisconsin
Definitely a disgusting abuse of the resources and Minnesota law. I hope they confiscate their boats and trucks-> everything! You do the crime, you do the time. The fact they were from Wisconsin is not an issue. I know many fine anglers from Wisconsin who do everything they humanly can to protect our fisheries. Everyone of us has to be an ambassador for our environment. When people are abusing the laws and damaging our natural resouces, we have a responsibility to step forward and say "No more"!. Thanks for the phone numbers- they are also going into my cell # contact list.

Anyone have the number for Canadian MNR hotline?

Now muskies abusing my lures are another thing.;-)

Have fun
Al

Edited by ESOX Maniac 12/16/2004 1:35 PM
JAY SBMC
Posted 12/18/2004 7:35 PM (#128733 - in reply to #128109)
Subject: RE: Turn In Poachers....




Posts: 148


Location: DES MOINES, IOWA
Besides the fine,they did lose their boats,and I believe fishing equipment,with fishing priveleges for quite a few years.What's 300 sunfish,weight wise 75-80 pounds max cleaned,divided by 4 people really isn't that much.They were all on in their 50,s so probably had been doing this for a lot of years,and the odds finally caught up with them.Could have bought a lot of fish for what this is going to cost them.Cell phones have really been a big asset to stop a lot of this poaching in hunting and fishing.DNR needs all the help they can get in all states with the few numbers they have.