Deer HuntingDeer Hunting – Whether you still hunt, stand hunt, or stalk this is the place to share your deer hunting adventures. Be sure to show everyone your trophies and the stories behind them. Deer hunting is a popular sport among a lot of members.
Someone I know downed his second buck of the season yesterday (illegally). Illegally tagged it, because you are only allow to get one buck with a bow before gun season and then one after gunseason. What would you do? I do not want to get involved because this is a friend of mine and i work with his brother, who has also done the samething this year. I am also aware of his temperment as this would split our families apart, probally not as big of a deal to me as it would be to our children. It is very upsetting because he does not see what is wrong with the picture.
The way I feel is that you take your shot and once you take it you are done and must live with your decision. If you are not happy with your first deer that does not mean you can shoot at a bigger one.
My other issue is the way that him and a few others have turned this into a contest to see who can "kill" the most. Both of his deer are small deer, That even he admitted he tried to talk himself out of shooting. His justification was if I don't shoot it someone else would. I do not know if is tv hunting or what that makes the main point of so many peoples hunt the "kill" or the "trophy" but it is upsetting to me. I am 32 and have only been hunting a few years, and I have yet to take a shot at a deer. I have had many shots but was more concerned with ending my season too soon and missing an opportunity at a bigger deer.
My friend does allow me to hunt on his ground and will decide what he wants harvested from his land, this year is does only. That is his decision and his land so I respect that.
Would I be out of line to question his ethics on his own land?
Have any of you had to deal with something like this before? How did you?
Would you turn in a friend? I know I am making myself just a guilty for not doing it, but???
Advise?
Sorry for the "Dear Abby" post on my first day in the forum, but I did not feel comfortable addressing this in my usual forum.
an anononus tip would help without getting you in the middle. the game officials often set up a decoy in the area and or stake out the stands. they can enter land even his without permission or warrents. well at least in illinois they can. if there goal is enforcing the game code they can enter any public land or privite without permission.
sounds like maybe you would see more deer if they wern't poaching.
From your thread I will tell you that your type of thinking is exactly what is welcomed here- People with good minds and a hope toward a cohesive and law abiding future of outdoors for our generation and many to come.
With that said, you have a right as a citizen to defend the property of your state. You do not have an obligation, but you do have a right. Stand up for what you feel is right. Sometimes it can be bothersome or painful, but man was not designed to go with what felt good.... Generally speaking if it feels right chances are its gonna be wrong, but thats another topic for another thread on another day, hahaha
I would talk to the person directly and lay out the issues as you have laid them out here. If they become defensive and irritable, then you know you did well cause nobody faces harsh criticism with machismo unless theyre a politician and their conscience is seared.
Tell the fella that you havent got respect for anyone who breaks the law and the difference between a hunter and a poacher is just that- the law.
No matter how he wants to sugar coat, diffuse, or pull away from the fact, he has to accept that he is not a hunter if he chooses to poach. And getting caught is not the measure, it is the act itself.
I do witsh you luck and I do welcome you once again.
You have a steep climb ahead of you, I wish you strength.
Mike, you are gonna get all kinds of advice here about this. People will tell you that the law is the law and he should be fried or that you shouldn't have him as a friend because of this, etc. Here's the only advice you need: Follow your own heart and conscience about this. And whatever you do, make sure you can live with it afterwards, because only you can make this decision. In my opinion, whatever you do is your business and nobody elses. He's your friend, not ours. It's most definately gonna be a hard one for you, that's for sure. If not, you wouldn't be asking.
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Mike I was is a spot kind of like your’s once and it did cause a lot of trouble but I turn him in. Now I am not tell you to turn them in and I am not going to tell you not to that is up to you how ever I don’t envy you on this one.
__________________ "Older anglers know that misfortune is but a proper contrast to the good days astream." H. W. Longfellow
Delima...ethics???
