ruttinbuc Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 While going around on the web looking for ideas for a video I am doing I came across a couple of clips of a person who has somewhat of a respected reputation killing a couple of longbeards. Trouble is this person shot both of them on land that I immediately recognized. Land that I have hunted for the last thirty years. This person does not belong to the club and was not a guest on either of the days recorded in the clips. Ties to the NWTF from what I understand.. How would you deal with it? I sort of know what I want to do, but really don't want to make a great big 'to do' about it. It could get ugly and I can't afford that... It comes down to both trespassing and poaching. I despise the acts. I told my brother and he is livid although I didn't tell him who it was. He couldn't figure out why the turkey hunting up there fell off some. . I guess now he knows. Call a spade a spade or politely tell the person I have the goods on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Don't know Mike. A tip to the local wildlife officer probably would not hurt. Don't know that I would go out of my way to confront the poacher, but would not hold back if things fell into place either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted March 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Yes, I could put a word into the warden. I don't know what good it might do. For all I know they might be good friends. Like I said the person is respected and sort of a celebrity in some circles. I don't know if a one on one would be the thing to do right now. My brother thinks we should forgo our annual shad tournament and see if we can't catch the trespasser. I really don't like confrontations with firearms in the mix. I mean I could drop the bomb big time if i wanted to. Just a matter of putting out the word and leading the legions to the clips. Repercussions I can do without. I was hoping to get a little more feedback from the members here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Call a spade a spade. Speak up. If you are not comfortable with one on one, take it to the next level with authority. Or make it known that you and others are aware of his actions. I would call someone out on a forum so that person knows people are onto him/her. Poaching and tresspassing are the same as lying and stealing. And the only thing worse than a liar is a thief. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Not sure I understood all that, but you're saying he was poaching on your lease and there's no way he was the guest of any member there? Where does the "ties to the NWTF" fit in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Yes, I could put a word into the warden. I don't know what good it might do. For all I know they might be good friends. Like I said the person is respected and sort of a celebrity in some circles. I don't know if a one on one would be the thing to do right now. My brother thinks we should forgo our annual shad tournament and see if we can't catch the trespasser. I really don't like confrontations with firearms in the mix. I mean I could drop the bomb big time if i wanted to. Just a matter of putting out the word and leading the legions to the clips. Repercussions I can do without. I was hoping to get a little more feedback from the members here. That would be the reason not to go looking for confrontation. If the confrontation finds you then so be it, hold nothing back. Whether the person is buddy buddy with the warden or not, don't think it would hurt to pass along the concerns, maybe to the regional office if you think the warden might take bias. Actually kinda in the same boat here with suspected activity of a group on the ground behind us. We plan to talk that over with the game warden late this summer when he comes out to judge Christina's food plot. Calling a spade a spade is another thing alltogether, I see nothing wrong with that so long as you don't put yourself in a position to possibly be liable for slander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 I'm not sure I have enough info to accurately comment - so I'm reserving the right to modify my suggestions in the future if additional info comes out. First - I don't think I'd confront the individual you suspect of trespassing / poaching personally. Unless you're the landowner or somehow in control of the property, it's really not your job. What I would do is make sure that the landowner, property manager, or whoever is responsible, knows about it. You don't even need to be accusational (is that a real word?) when you approach them, just say something like "Hey did you see that video clip of Bob Blastem killing those turkeys over at the ABC Hunting Club property? I didn't even know he had permission to hunt there." If you don't get the response you're looking for, start asking around to the other members if any of them invited Bob Blastem out for hunt. Even if you know the answer ahead of time, it's still a good way to get the word out. Sooner or later, it will come to a head and something will get done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 How easy is it going to be to prove the land he is hunting on is your hunting lease? I mean 110% certain that others could see??? Is there some very distinctive land marks or features to point it out. Otherwise "Bob Blastem" (that's funny) is going to deny and say that is some other land..... But if you have something very distinctive in the video then he is up that creek without his paddles...... Good luck sounds like a tough situation.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetailtrax Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Several years back, some idiots were stupid enough to air video they took during an archery elk hunt "near" Yellowstone National Park. Well, turns out several people recognized the area and it was clearly within the borders of YNP. They were called out and prosecuted appropriately. If you are 100% sure they were trespassing then I would have no problem taking it to the authorities and let them investigate. I once turned in a well-respected elected official for a blantant violation of the law - all he got was a slap on the hand, but it was well worth it in my opinion. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nut Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 So this is on your club's land? Do others in the club besides your brother know about this? Let the club as a whole deal with it and report it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Mike, Perhaps you could pull this guy aside and ask him what he wants you to do. If it were me and he got apologetic I would ask him for some type of retribution to the club and you say nothing to anyone else. If he gets mad and abusive, I would do one of two things. Remind him of his celebrity status and what this report would do to him. OR! Say ok fine, and contact the game wardens. Press charges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Here are my thoughts, fwiw: If you truly believe he did not have permission and over-bagged, turn the information over to the F&G and be done with it. Do not try to handle it yourself or involve others in trying to shame this guy into-what? UNdoing what he did? Either turn it over to law enforcement or let it go. All the rest of it will do is engender hard feelings and probably not solve the problem, which is this guy is likely a violator. Say you confront him and he apologizes, then what? He goes on to poach elsewhere, but leaves your little area alone? How is that better for the resource? This is one of those deals where now that you have this information, you are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem. If he did not do it, a thorough investigation will clear him, if he did, he gets what he gets. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted March 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 (edited) Thank you all for your replies to my request for help in dealing with this matter. All of you who took the time have very good suggestions. I was pretty upset when seeing the video clips. In talking with my brother we came to agreement this person needs to be taught a lesson. We met with the land manager of the property and showed him the clips earlier this evening. If this person decides to sit in that spot this year looking to poach turkeys it will all come around. We have a meeting on Friday with the CO working our region. The evidence is obvious and may be used against the person taking advantage of what others pay for and work hard to maintain. Thank you all again for your thoughts. I do appreciate it. It would be a better outcome if the law deals in the justice of the matter. Edited March 11, 2010 by ruttinbuc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Sounds like you've got a good handle on the whole thing Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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