Originally Posted by gobbler
Two, snapper harvest is highly monitored with a significant number of boats being checked. I understand there are pretty good fines for over limit and not keeping fish documented with snapper check. We don't and really can't do anything like that with turkeys. Wish we could.



We could, but won't. Fines and penalties for wildlife violations have been ridiculously low forever. They have no teeth and inflict no pain.

To improve the data the DCNR should:


1. Require mandatory tagging that actually is enforced.

"Mah tag blew off." - "Mah tag's in the truck at camp." - "I didn't know." - "Whatever other excuse I can think of."

Nope. Read the regulations and laws. That's part of being a hunter and angler. Tag on the turkey (or deer) or you're in violation, period. Citation coming if you don't have it.


2. Mandatory check-in

We do this in other states and no one seems to mind. Here in our state, everyone's lost their mind about it. Tyranny! Chuck! Never had to do this! Mah grampy fought in th' war so I could do what I want!

Check number goes on the tag that has to be on the animal. No tag, no number, nothing else, you're in violation. Citation coming.


3. Stiffer penalties that won't be reduced by a sympathetic judge or slick attorney saying his poor ol' client "is just putting food on the table." Bullchit. Those days are over and we know it. The fines are piddly. Legislators won't approve anything stronger, though, because people bitch at them.


We -- conservatives -- ALWAYS carp about everyone not running afoul of the law, "do the crime, do your time," laws are there and should be known, and everything else associated with that. Yet forever, we've been raging hypocrites when it comes to wildlife violations because "Aw, it's just a deer" or fish or turkey.


No one wants to be the hammer. But a hammer is needed in some situations.

"Hunting Politics are stupid!" - Farm Hunter

"Bible says you shouldn't put sugar in your cornbread." Dustin, 2013

"Best I can figure 97.365% of the general public is a paint chip eating, mouth breathing, certified dumbass." BCLC, 2020