Wyoming Hunter Fined $10,000 for Mistaking a Grizzly for a Black Bear

[MrRogers]

Not sure if there's already a thread on this, but what is everyone's opinion? I think the fine is pretty steep for a first time offender who was honest about his mistake.

https://www.outdoorlife.com/conservation/hunter-fined-bear-mistake/

 

[DAOutfitters208]

Well that sure makes you think twice before being honest.

 

[Geewhiz]

The article sure makes it seam like the guy made an honest mistake without nefarious intent. Rough break.

I'm glad they didnt hose the kid.

 

[aftriathlete]

I disagree. He owned the mistake, and it kept him out of jail. Owning up to a mistake is responsible, but it doesn't entitle anyone to avoiding punishment altogether. Good on this man for owning the mistake. At the end of the day he illegally killed a protected animal, there should be a penalty so he should own that too. He also broke one of the most fundamental firearm safety rules in that he wasn't sure of his target.

 

[COelk89]

Yeah that is BS. Poachers that get caught without ever reporting get off with far less punishment, especially first time offenders. I would not have taken that plea deal. Not sure where he was in court but a jury of peers in Wyoming may have let him off with nothing.

 

[aftriathlete]

Yeah that is BS. Poachers that get caught without ever reporting get off with far less punishment, especially first time offenders. I would not have taken that plea deal. Not sure where he was in court but a jury of peers in Wyoming may have let him off with nothing.

To me it's not in question whether this deserved punishment, which I believe it did, but a separate issue altogether that I think is valid that poachers generally aren't being punished severely enough.

 

[realunlucky]

To me it's not in question whether this deserved punishment, which I believe it did, but a separate issue altogether that I think is valid that poachers generally aren't being punished severely enough.

To play devils advocate for this argument-- if poaching a "trophy" buck or bull the fines are required by law to be increased. In this case won't a grizzly has to be considered above a "trophy" since NO ONE can hunt them in wyoming?

Also I think when Wyoming proposed a grizzly tag the price tag was 8000 or 10000 dollars anyways.

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[COelk89]

To me it's not in question whether this deserved punishment, which I believe it did, but a separate issue altogether that I think is valid that poachers generally aren't being punished severely enough.

The punishment just does not fit the crime. You are totally right, he broke a cardinal rule and should be mighty embarrassed and owe something. But the whole point of hunting ethics is "to do the right thing even when no one is looking." Well this guy did the right thing and got a fine exceeding what folks regularly get for committing felony offences.

 

[FLATHEAD]

I couldn't, as a Nonresident buy a Grizzly hunt that cheap.

 

[realunlucky]

The punishment just does not fit the crime. You are totally right, he broke a cardinal rule and should be mighty embarrassed and owe something. But the whole point of hunting ethics is "to do the right thing even when no one is looking." Well this guy did the right thing and got a fine exceeding what folks regularly get for committing felony offences.

What is a grizzly valued at?

Edit just looked it up Wyoming proposed tag fee is 7500

 

[flatlanderhuffandpuff]

They did the right thing by calling it in. 10K is not an amount that will easily be paid by most people, even the honest. I have seen pictures of black bears that looked (enough) like a griz but not a griz that looked like a black.

I'm sure this isn't the first time it has happened.

 

[grfox92]

This happened in my area. He brought the bear to a check station and self reported. Game and Fish even said that the bear was damn near jet black in color. I think $10k is excessive.

They just found a dead grizz with bullet holes in it very close to where this happened. It was just dead off the side of the highway. If that person gets caught, what is their fine? $100k and jail time?

I feel worse for the kid. He's going to go to high school as the kid who mistakenly shot a grizzly bear in a town where hunting is life.

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[Shotgunslade]

I think he set the right example for his son. That said, wow, that’s a painful mistake. The fine seems steep for the circumstance, but what do I know?

 

[COelk89]

What is a grizzly valued at?

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Depends who you ask. I just do not view this as a poaching incident so I don't feel the hunter should have to compensate the full "value" of the animal to the state.

 

[Yoder]

I seen an 875 lb black bear killed within 30 min of my house. It was enormous. The deer hanging next to it looked like a rabbit. It was the size of a Grizzly. I think $10k is pretty steep for an honest mistake and owning up to it. If you mistakenly shoot an illegal buck in my area it's a $25 fine and they take the deer. At least they aren't putting him in jail.

 

[Geewhiz]

Bet that guy won't self report again.

 

[t_carlson]

I'll just leave this here...

Except as otherwise provided in this subsection or subsection (h) or (m) of this section, a person convicted of violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by...a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), or both.

On a second offense...the person may be fined not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00).

On a third offense...the person may be fined not less than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00) nor more than three thousand dollars ($3,000.00).

On a fourth offense...he shall be guilty of a felony and fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), punished by imprisonment for not more than seven (7) years, or both.

DUI penalties found in 31-5-233(e).

 

[MrRogers]

I disagree. He owned the mistake, and it kept him out of jail. Owning up to a mistake is responsible, but it doesn't entitle anyone to avoiding punishment altogether. Good on this man for owning the mistake. At the end of the day he illegally killed a protected animal, there should be a penalty so he should own that too. He also broke one of the most fundamental firearm safety rules in that he wasn't sure of his target.

I'm not saying he should have avoided punishment, or that fine should have only been $25, but $10K just seems excessive when there wasn't nefarious intent. If the authorities want cooperation from the public then don't fine them $10K when they do cooperate.

 

[Laramie]

Right or wrong is an opinion everyone is entitled to but the fine amount is intentionally high to make hunters nervous about shooting a grizzly by mistake. If the fine were $1500, I think more hunters would be willing to take gambles on questionable bears.

10k seems high but beats jail time and even higher fines.

 

[Svivian]

I seen an 875 lb black bear killed within 30 min of my house. It was enormous. The deer hanging next to it looked like a rabbit. It was the size of a Grizzly. I think $10k is pretty steep for an honest mistake and owning up to it. If you mistakenly shoot an illegal buck in my area it's a $25 fine and they take the deer. At least they aren't putting him in jail.

Wow only 5 pounds shy of the world record