Interesting Story

[JBen]

And does that help or hurt the publics perception?

Maybe he was the victim of a takedown in a case of mistaken identity, maybe he was complying and laid down with his face in the snow as they cuffed him in a case of mistaken identity. Don't know. Wasn't there.

But what's not really in question is the way he is being blown off.

For what it's worth a part of me think theres something to his version, given how fast the one officer was quick to apologize on scene. If he did just lay down as he was cuffed, "no harm, no foul".

[zoli 16ga.]

Back to the CO's. I've been checked twice, never had any issues, but then again all my ducks have been in a row .....so to speak. They have been very cordial, and very thorough. But I will carry a gun sock now, 'just in case' I ever come out of the woods after last light when grouse hunting.

[fratri]

This is a good thread.... It shows both perspectives. Talks like this will help keep both sides a little more honest, informed and professional.
Thanks for sharing it all

[GW11]

Posting this story has made me rerun that day through my mind quite a few times.

I suppose the reason that I was so forthcoming with information to the CO's was partly because I didn't think we had done anything wrong and also because I was kind of "hosting" this hunt. Two of us had started this opening day tradition but it had expanded over the years into a pretty big group duck hunt. More than half of the group were guests to the property and the camp. I felt responsible for the outcome. Although we had all shared the pre-season baiting responsibility, I had invited a first-time hunter out with us that day and managed to get a few guys back into duck hunting who hadn't done it in years. I felt terrible about the turn of events. A great morning of hunting had turned into something you only read about in the news. I guess I figured that if I was completely cooperative and showed that I had nothing to hide, things would turn out fine. We've all been taught that as hunters.

When the question of whether or not I had been back to ensure that the pond was free of bait came up, there was only one answer. I had already told him that my last time on the property was over two weeks previously to bait it for a final time. That was an oversight on my part, a mistake, but I honestly didn't think it was an issue as the ducks would have every kernel eaten up within a few days. The ones they could reach anyway...lol.

It was a fairly long time ago now but I feel that I gained some wisdom with that experience. I think it also shows that not everyone who is charged with a Fish and Wildlife offence is a "poacher". We made a few mistakes, but I wouldn't label any of our group as deliberate law breakers.

I forgot to mention in the OP (although it's probably obvious) all of the ducks we shot that day were confiscated.