Montana game warden show

[peterk123]

Watching a few episodes. So many violations for not sticking to the rules. Not tagging, shooting spike bulls in areas not allowed, shooting the wrong deer species, encroaching on private, aiming into a herd and shooting three elk, the list is endless.

It got me thinking. How many violations are taking place every day (illegal harvests), never mind the poaching? We are arguing here and on other forums about hunting pressure, out of State hunters etc. How much is not following the rules contributing to the problem?

 

[Justin Crossley]

I would estimate that at least half of all big game animals are taken with some violation.

 

[IDVortex]

I would estimate that at least half of all big game animals are taken with some violation.

Id agree with this.

 

[Randle]

I drove up and parked at our usual spot while a guy was trying to get his son to shoot a buck while the son was standing in the road .
Then he proceeded to try and chew me out for ruining the kids shot because the buck ran off.
Pound sand buddy teach him to hunt not break the law.

 

[NealS02]

There are similar shows for Maine, NH (I believe) and Michigan. If they can do a shows (which I have watched some) with seemingly infinite episodes, it is not an isolated or infrequent issue. The range in severity is from honest mistake that you learn from to clear and premeditated intent. While I generally think more information, that the show provides, in almost any situation is better than no or little information, it certainly is not good PR for hunters. The show content definitely doesn’t make hunters and anglers look like a group of upstanding citizens.

 

[mike.adams.467]

I would estimate that at least half of all big game animals are taken with some violation.

I would find that hard to believe. Most guys I know follow the letter of the law. Maybe report some of these violators?

 

[Fireflyfishing]

It got me thinking. How many violations are taking place every day (illegal harvests), never mind the poaching? We are arguing here and on other forums about hunting pressure, out of State hunters etc. How much is not following the rules contributing to the problem?

Totally agree this is a major issue here.

 

[syoungs]

I would find that hard to believe. Most guys I know follow the letter of the law. Maybe report some of these violators?

I dont find it hard to believe. Half the animals TAKEN, not have the hunters.

 

[Erict]

I would estimate that at least half of all big game animals are taken with some violation.

Boone and Crockett recently released a study on this topic. For purposes of their study, they state "...Illegal take of big game, or poaching,..." - meaning that is how they define poaching for the study. The study can be found HERE. (The OUTDOOR LIFE "cliff notes" version is HERE.)

One finding states "...the analysis estimated true detection rates of 2–7%, which was far lower than stakeholder perceptions. This means that approximately 95% of poaching incidents are likely to go undetected....".

Don't believe everything you read, but the report provides a starting point and food for further thought.

 

[roadrunner]

I would estimate that at least half of all big game animals are taken with some violation.

that's what happens when there are too many laws, most of them petty at best...

 

[accountantsanonymous]

I would estimate that at least half of all big game animals are taken with some violation.

I’m not disagreeing, because I really don’t have any way to back it up. But this just feels really high to me.

Are you saying that a lot of folks may be violating laws unknowingly? I’m not arguing, but genuinely curious.

 

[mt100gr.]

It is interesting....I mean, if you have your puffy over your orange and move from the glass to your rifle and shoot, I suppose thats a violation.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

One thing to remember.....we have no information about how many 100's (and maybe 1000's) of hours that were filmed to get what we saw. They edit to get the point across that they are concerned with.

 

[wkk]

I’m always awe struck when I go dove hunting on public land and see guys blasting literally anything with wings out of the sky.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Yall watching "reality tv" an thinking its real and not doctored up

 

[R boar]

I'm pretty anal about reading every bit of the regs. Most people I've hunted with or talked to about hunting don't seem to share the same interest in even knowing the laws, let alone following them. They are surprised to hear that various little things are illegal, and I'm like, it's right there in the regs.

A lot of the time it's little stuff that doesn't really affect the animals, like picking up deadheads (illegal in OR). Other common ones are bear hunting with a rifle during deer season, or assuming grouse season starts when archery elk starts (it can start before or after depending on the year).

 

[Cowbell]

For the last two years as a NR in Montana, I have witnessed three major poaching incidents, all done by locals.....

 

[Britt-dog]

For the last two years as a NR in Montana, I have witnessed three major poaching incidents, all done by locals.....

Come on don’t you know all the problems in MT and ID are caused by all the NRs?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

.....and Colorado and Wyoming too!!

 

[Pony Soldier]

I would guess the shows are selected to feature things fwp doesn't want people to do. I remember they did a spot game check station one year and intercepted 19 illegal cow elk and a hereferd cow. They never did that again.