Mirage Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 I got a call today from a friend he says he went hunting here in florida he tells me its on a 19,000 acre ranch. He goes out saturday and has a great time. He was a guest on this ranch of a hunt club member. His budy calls him the next day sunday and tells him he just shot an ELK!! In florida. On a free rome land ranch. He was deer hunting shot a huge elk. It must have escaped froma close by presserve and wandered into the hunt clubs ranch. he is trying to get it all legal but i dont see how. I would think he would be in trouble but there trying to work it out. He is going to bring me some pics next week becuase i said no way. He didnt believe it either until he drove out there and saw first hand and took some pics. The hunt club is called the saw mill hunt club. I would think this would hit the papers or something. When he shows me the pics then I will believe. But he swears its true. A florida elk I justy cant imagine. He claims it must weigh 600 pounds feild dressed. Unreal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story crazy is correct. If ya get some pics please post. Would be very interesting to see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Xen Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story i didn't know florida had elk... that's interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story [ QUOTE ] i didn't know florida had elk... that's interesting [/ QUOTE ] They dont. Uhh yeah, pretty crazy. Shooting an animal you do not have a tag for is POACHING plain and simple. If the elk was on a preserve and he shot it, he may have to pay restitution to the owner after the state gets done with him. The Florida wildlife officials do not play around, if he really did kill an elk, I know there is no season for elk there, they will hang him which in my opinion will serve him right. Good chance he will lose everything related to poaching the animal including his truck and and weapon. Hope he gets what he deserves. Tennessee does have elk now, but there is no season for them here yet, might not ever be in my lifetime, but if I ever was to see one, hopefully I would have a camera with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QDMAworks4me Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story [ QUOTE ] Shooting an animal you do not have a tag for is POACHING plain and simple. I know there is no season for elk there [/ QUOTE ] Gotta agree with ya on this one, if there is no season you just don't shoot an animal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story [ QUOTE ] Uhh yeah, pretty crazy. Shooting an animal you do not have a tag for is POACHING plain and simple. [/ QUOTE ] That's not always the case. Depends on local and state regs. For example, there are no native free ranging elk in Texas, but it's not illegal to shoot one if you see it. In fact, there was a large bull elk killed last year in the Texas Panhandle. It is believed to have wondered in from New Mexico or Colorado. Some large ranches in south and west Texas have also imported elk along with several species of African and Asian game animals in the past and released them. Those have now established self sustaining, free ranging populations, and they can be legally hunted at any time with any weapon of choice. No seasons, so bag limits, no tags. All that is needed is a valid Texas hunting license. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story I can see what you are saying Texan, but think that is different. I might be wrong, but am pretty sure there is no season for elk in Florida, and it may be like here in TN. Coyotes here are open year round, they are varmints and no tag is needed, there is NOT a season for them and like you say, you can kill them with any weapon and they do not have to be checked in. Elk there is NOT a season for either, but shoot an elk here whether it be an escaped animal from a game farm or one of the re-introduced elk, and you better believe the TWRA will bury you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story [ QUOTE ] Shooting an animal you do not have a tag for is POACHING plain and simple. [/ QUOTE ] Not the case here in Illinois.If it is not a regulated species,there is no season,and there are no regulations protecting the animal,then it's fair game, and no need for a tag.I believe a year or two ago a teenage boy shot a red stag or something during our shotgun season that was believed to be from a game farm that closed a few years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story There is no "season" for elk here in Texas either. Since they are not a native (to Texas) animal, all you would need is a hunting license. Furthermore, the ranch/farm or whatever that it got out of would not be able to do or say anything to you about taking it. It happens a lot with the exotic animals here in Texas. I would imagine each state would have their own rules and regulations, tho. But to come out and call it poaching may not be correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story OK, I may be wrong in how I worded what I said, but I would think that the Florida regs would not allow for shooting an elk, much the same as here in TN. I guess I should have said that you should know the states regs and what is legal and what is not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story Will be interesting to say the least to hear what happens with this. I knew a boy back when I lived in Florida back in 1990 who shot a deer on Disney's property in season. He had to pay I think it was like $7000 to Disney after losing his truck, his rifle, and his hunting privileges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gabuckbuster03 Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story that is an extrmely crazy story Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bucknutt Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story it happened in oklahoma a couple years ago, the hs basketball coach was hunting in nw oklahoma when he spotted a big bull elk coming down the river. he shot it and killed it, kept it under wraps for about a year and then it got out. he was fined a large amount of money, can't remember exactly how much but thinking it was in the thousands, and had to do community service along with losing his license for a year i believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hoythunterbn Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story That is crazy to think that the elk would even be able to survive down there. That is a cool story please post some pics if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirage Posted November 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Uhh yeah, pretty crazy. Shooting an animal you do not have a tag for is POACHING plain and simple. [/ QUOTE ] That's not always the case. Depends on local and state regs. For example, there are no native free ranging elk in Texas, but it's not illegal to shoot one if you see it. In fact, there was a large bull elk killed last year in the Texas Panhandle. It is believed to have wondered in from New Mexico or Colorado. Some large ranches in south and west Texas have also imported elk along with several species of African and Asian game animals in the past and released them. Those have now established self sustaining, free ranging populations, and they can be legally hunted at any time with any weapon of choice. No seasons, so bag limits, no tags. All that is needed is a valid Texas hunting license. [/ QUOTE ] I am not sure this is the case but when I hear I will let you guys know. I dont think this is poaching when the elk is not established. And they dont have a season as for paying restituion I think that is crazy. Maybe the preserve should pay the hunt club restituion for letting an animal escape from there presserve"cage" and getting onto the hunt clubs land Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story Hmm, I am going to ask someone about this. There's a guy we know that lives right up the road from us who raises elk. It's a high fenced piece of LARGE property. So elk surviving here is quite possible. As fas as shooting one I don't know the legalities. Seems the elk would have a tag in it's ear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story [ QUOTE ] he is trying to get it all legal but i dont see how. I would think he would be in trouble but there trying to work it out. [/ QUOTE ] If it were not already legal, then how can he get it legal. Guess I am missing something or am confused here by what you said. As for restitution, if my neighbors cow wanders off onto my farm and I decided to shoot it because it was on my property, does it make it right or justifiable and make me in the right because the cow ate some grass from my field, or would the state likely make me pay to replace his cow??? Personally I would hope that the state would make me pay to replace the neighbors cow for my stupidity. I lived in Florida from 78 up until 92, and unless things have changed down there, they take game violations pretty seriously and they really do not play around. If it was not legal in the first place, I revert back to calling it what it is and that is poaching. Anyone hunting who reads this post should take this as an example that is important to understand your regs for your state and any state you hunt in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirage Posted November 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story I think all states take hunting violations pretty seriously.. Again as stated by others if its not regulated then how could it be illeagl? I would not shoot this elk however this guy did. Im just telling the story dont shoot the messanger wnhunt. We are not talking about tennessee. We are talking about florida And as you know because you lived here from 78 to 92, that elk are not a species here. But there is a preserve here. And this elk got out. I know its crazy thats why I called it a crazy story. But My friend swears its true. Now if he dosnt get in trouble for it thats another story. He took it to the dnr people. So Im waiting to hear and when I know Ill let you know. I still dont think its poaching. But maybe it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story Not shooting the messenger, just being perfectly honest and think the friend of your friend may be in trouble. My point is that if you do not know the law, it is best not to be shooting. From what i have read here, it was not legal by what you wrote and the shooter is attempting to "get it all legal". As far as Florida taking seriously, I should clarify by saying that I think they(Florida) in the way of carrying out and executing are more effective than some other states such as here are. Could have sworn you had in your reply there that you thought it should be legal to or you would shoot my cows if they wandered onto your land. Glad my cows dont get out too often, even more glad most of my neighbors would help put them up or at least let me know they were out. Livestock issues, may be dealt with outside the wildlife officers, and being that the elk are raised as what may be considered to be livestock will be interesting to see how this turns out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story I emailed the FWC about this and will let you know what they say. They're pretty good about responding quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gitcha_some Posted November 28, 2006 Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story wtnhunt, i think you might be overreacting about this being poaching...im sure floridas game laws dont even have the word "elk" written in them at any point.....im thinking that since it was an escaped domestic animal it wont be illegal as a game law but maybe just illegal as destruction of property but we shall see when someone finds out what happens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirage Posted November 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2006 Re: Crazy Story Thats Just it it wasnt domestic.m It was wild and had escaped from the hunting presserve. It had no tag in its ear as andrea said it should. This happend in perry florida andrea perhaps you know where this is. This happended! Its not a bs story. As for wtnhunt yes I said that but then I said hmm maybe thats too harsh. Guess your lucky I dont live next to your farm. ...lol... I have a printed picture from a printer of the elk it is a BIG elk too. My buddy is sending pics via email some time soon so I hope to show you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Re: Crazy Story Here's the response from the FWC that I just got: Discussion Thread Response (OED-ML) 11/29/2006 08:59 AM Elk are not native to Florida and therefore are not regulated in Florida. Therefore, there is no prohibition against shooting an elk Florida. Looks like your buddy just got himself a nice elk free and clear. Congrats!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Re: Crazy Story Yep,same rule here in Illinois.I suppose the DNR doesn't want to waste time making laws to protect animals that aren't supposed to be free ranging animals in that state. Thanks for the update Andrea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texastrophies Posted November 29, 2006 Report Share Posted November 29, 2006 Re: Crazy Story Same as in Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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