Fricken Poachers...

[SBM-RL]

It would be nice and beneficial if they set up a program where anyone who violates a law and is issued a ticket by the department of natural resources has mandatory community service that benefits the outdoors. For these guys they need a lot more than just community service.

[badassbass]

The fine should be $1,000 for each fish that is taken over limit. Now that will help these scumbags to remember these expensive fish for the rest of their lives!

[brushhoggin]

they waited so they could build a case? they had freezers!?! What, did they think they needed a freezer for 5 bass?!? I've honestly never eaten a LM bass. i've eaten a striper which was pretty good. are smallies tasty?

[Hammer 4]

I tried a lmb in the 70's..didn't care for them then or now..to me, they have a fishy taste, unlike crappie, or bluegill..

[Bass_Akwards]

Dont know if any of ya'll noticed, every single one was in late fifties to late 60's other than the son who was late 30's.

This was a bunch of men who have been around long enough to know better. Grandpa's who should be teaching right from wrong, and teaching their kids how to do things right.

Being a betting man, I'm guessing that the odds are probably pretty good that these guys have been getting away with poaching like this for years. 

The reason that they got busted like this and happen to be mostly in their 60's is because they've most likely learned over the years that as long as they don't get caught, they can take home as many fish as they feel necessary.  If certain people know they can rob a bank and get way with it for 50 years because no one's apparently watching, they're going to do it until they get busted.

Imagine how many bass these morons killed and froze over the years.  Then imagine how many others are doing the same thing on lakes all over the US every year who most likely will never be caught. 

Punishment needs to be stiffer in most states for those who break poaching laws. Somehow anti poaching patrols and survaliance have to be strategically ramped up on lakes where fish and game might suspect poaching or want to stop it from happening in the first place.

I love how the patrols did it on the lake these obtuse pieces of flotsam got busted.  This kind of thing needs to happen much much more. 

[K_Mac]

Bass Akwards I agree that increased enforcement is badly needed. The problem in my state (Illinois) and many others is that due to budgetary problems the state can not afford to pay for essential services, let alone anything else. An example is our local school system which is owed nearly $2,000,000 by the state, even after major cuts in funding. I don't want politicize this, I'm just saying increasing the number of officers in the field with the current economic conditions is not likely. For this reason IMHO when someone is caught breaking the law with complete disregard for the resources they are abusing, they should be prosecuted to the limit of the law. The laws need to be punitive enough to be a deterrent. Seizing boats, tackle, vehicles, etc may make the next idiot take notice.

[Bass Tracker 20]

Wow makes me sad, all those beautiful smallmouth gone... sickening :'(   smallies are such a fine creature.....

[Hammer 4]

Well stated K Mac....I also think a little Jail time needs to be added to the punishment.

The DFG agents here in Cali are spread so thin, calling the hotline on poachers is almost worthless, as an agent could be 100's of miles away, due to the number of DFG agents in the field. I wonder how are fiheries are going to survive in the next 10 to 20 yrs if things like this continue..?  >

[TrackerG]

Those guys are really lucky they didnt get a ticket for not having a trout stamp!!!!    lmao