NYfishwow Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 A 23-year-old homeless man was recently sentenced to 10 days in jail for catching and cooking a federally protected steelhead in California. The arrest of Victor Manuel Silva, who was convicted of illegally taking and possessing wildlife, has triggered a varied response from anglers online. Here's what happened, as reported by David Sneed of the San Luis Obispo Tribune. State Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Warden Teri Hickey received a tip about someone fishing in San Luis Obispo Creek, which is closed to angling. When she arrived, she found a small group of homeless men cooking a large fish over a fire. The fish was a rare Central Coast steelhead trout, which is protected and listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. Making matters worse, it was an egg-carrying female, killed before she had the chance to spawn. "Every fish really counts," said DFG Lt. Dean Hileman. "We're talking about a species that is so critical that some subspecies are in danger of going extinct." What is your opinion? Should this poacher have been prosecuted?
MitchIsFishin Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 In my opinion, no. If I were homeless and hungry, when fishing, there would be no C&R, it would be catch and fry. Then again, this happened in the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia.
Dean Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 No its not right! If I were homeless, and had nothing to eat, I would eat anything I could possibly get. The food would at least give the man hope to live another day, and with hope, the possibilities are endless, yes even with homeless people. This 10 Jailing is ridiculous. absurd, and cruel. What the California, are you proud of yourself now?
IDbasser Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 The guy was only trying to eat to survive.
=Matt 5.0= Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 I would put the Human Species above any fish... just me.
mjhutch1116 Posted February 18, 2009 Posted February 18, 2009 I agree with Dean. If the guy was catching the fish to mount on his wall that is one thing. But the man was just trying to put some food in his belly and get through to the next day. Matt
KevO Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 That's crazy let the man eat. I would rather see him try to catch a meal than beg for change on the sidewalk.
daviscw Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 The dude wins either way... He gets 10 warm days and free meals, all paid for by the state of California.
fishingfourfun Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 California has plenty of money. Let them feed, clothe, shelter and give him "free" medical care. Idiots!
Super User Muddy Posted February 19, 2009 Super User Posted February 19, 2009 W He should have fried it instead of poaching it, maybe he wouldn't have gotten in so much trouble
moby bass Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 I would put the Human Species above any fish... just me. There are people in California that would disagree with you.
Other. Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 For those saying "eating to survive" you are forgetting that he is now getting 3 meals a day for 10 days Illegally posses a rare fish, get 30 free meals. Being homeless, that's not so bad.
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted February 19, 2009 Super User Posted February 19, 2009 For those saying "eating to survive" you are forgetting that he is now getting 3 meals a day for 10 days Illegally posses a rare fish, get 30 free meals. Being homeless, that's not so bad. Its priceless to him actully he even gets a shower and checked for lice YAY cali .Just like maryland spending 5 gran to get 650 bucks back
wisturkeyhunter Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 I'd put a human life above any other type of life but if the guy had the time to fish he had the time to work and would have more than likely been alot more productive working. I don't think they should throw him in jail for it cause thats just a waste of money but killing illegal fish shouldn't go unnoticed cause the guy had to eat cause no doubt he could have spend that time making money to buy food.
Super User Bassn Blvd Posted February 19, 2009 Super User Posted February 19, 2009 He's no different than a working man. Off limits to fishing means Off limits. I'm sure he wasn't on the verge of dieing . Should he go to jail for smashing a plate glass window from a closed convenience store and stealing a pack of ham and loaf of bread. Window replacement =$300 Ham= $4.00 Bread+ $2.00 total $306. If you say yes, then we would jail him for $306.00 for a property crime but not for killing an animal on the edge of possible extinction? I'm just playing devils advocate. But this happened to Joe Kidd also. Didn't he kill the mule deer on a protected Indian reservation?
Super User Dan: Posted February 19, 2009 Super User Posted February 19, 2009 I agree with Bassn Blvd. Would it have been ok for him to break into a store to steal food because he was homeless? No. Bad circumstances don't justify breaking the LAW. When we start allowing that to happen then everything starts getting messy. Now, he can use it as a defense at trial and he very well might get sympathy from jurors, but I wouldn't give him any.
Super User Muddy Posted February 19, 2009 Super User Posted February 19, 2009 I was homeless for 18 months of my life, all due to bad choices I made. While going in and out of shelters I met other homeless people who for various reasons, were not out there like me, but because of dire circumstances and frequently mental illness I pray that God forbid you never experience this and if you did I pray some of you would not have to depend on the mercy and kindness of people like some of you.
The Unabasser Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 I was homeless for 18 months of my life, all due to bad choices I made. While going in and out of shelters I met other homeless people who for various reasons, were not out there like me, but because of dire circumstances and frequently mental illness I pray that God forbid you never experience this and if you did I pray some of you would not have to depend on the mercy and kindness of people like some of you. I hear you loud and clear Muddy...It amazes me the the amount of asinine opinions and comments on this board...hence thats why I rarely if ever post anything but I couldn't let this one go..its much better if I just close the topic and move on... I wish more people would do the same
Super User flechero Posted February 19, 2009 Super User Posted February 19, 2009 First of all, let's not forget why these fish were put on the earth... (for any who don't know, it happened on the 5th day) Secondly- these fish are not endangered from overfishing, it's the development and habitat destruction. Thirdly- This guy wasn't a drain on society, he was trying to make it on his own. (props to him for that!) So he does bonus 9 days this way but he wasn't relying on your tax dollars until the state jumped in. Bottom line.... I would rather lose a species of fish to extinction than teach people that you shouldn't try to take care of yourselves in hard times. Besides, if the DFG was worth a crap out there, they would be breeding and stocking these rare fish in all the rivers and creeks that could support them. Next thing you know, the DFG will start hunting the eagles or condors that fish those rivers....
Olebiker Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 Why 10 days--just DEPORT him. Are you assuming that, because he has a Hispanic surname, he is an illegal alien?
Olebiker Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 Here's a similar story that happened in Edmonson County, Kentucky back during the Depression: A man and his wife had no money and nothing to eat so they were fishing in a creek for their dinner. Each had only a stick, some twine, and a hook. They were cited for fishing without a license. Having no money to pay the fine they showed up at court in Brownsville to plead for mercy. The judge, knowing their dire circumstances, dismissed the charges and ordered the officer who had written the citations to go to his office, retrieve the couple's "fishing tackle", and return it to them. Dad said that the sight of that officer coming down the street and into the courthouse carry two sticks with dried up worms on the hooks was one of the funniest things he had ever seen.
Super User firefightn15 Posted February 19, 2009 Super User Posted February 19, 2009 Didn't I just hear that they have the 8th largest economy in the world and sinking fast? This is what they have on their plate. I would think they have bigger fish to fry. Pun intended.
Pitchinkid Posted February 19, 2009 Posted February 19, 2009 Does anybody know how he even caught the fish? Ive never seen or fished for this kind of fish, but i imagine that catching it bare handed was a bit of a task. I hate to hear that he recieved jail time for it. I understand the fish is endangered, but I don't understand, its a HUMAN BEING living or a fish. I love this sport and I love catch and release and obeying the laws that go with it. Sometimes though, you just have to look the other way.
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