disappointed in a couple of kids

[hotshot]

Those regulars know that I really enjoy taking kids hunting. I had the unfortunate news of learning that two former hunter ed students, and kids that spent a year in my classroom a few years back got arrested last week. Between the two they were witnessed shooting 9 geese.
Not only is this over 4X's the limit, they really let me down. I have at one time or another taken both boys on a hunt. I guess they turned a deaf ear to the ethical part of the discussion.
hopefully the lesson is learned. For some reason, I have a feeling it will take another "bust" or two for them to figure out.

[Woody Williams]

How sad.. Little do they know they are making bad name for themselves, that will follow them for a long - long time, on the wrong side of the fence..

[supr87gt]

Thats a shame to hear. Atleast you tried to do your part in promoting ethical hunting.

[firstwd]

I hope this does wake them up. A criminal record is different than a DNR record. Juvenile offense do not disappear when they turn 18 on the DNR record. Enough violations will eliminate them from the ranks of licensed hunters forever.

Don't take it too hard Hotshot, we can only give them the tools and knowledge to succeed. They must make the right choices to be successful.

[hotshot]

Because it was geese, also there are federal ramifications I believe.
I'd have to check with GreenDeem.

[bsutravis]

Wow.... That's too bad hotshot. Don't take it on the chin, it wasn't you pulling the trigger. I just don't get the joy in taking above the limit. I look at the limit as a goal, and once you hit it you've done as good as you can, and should be proud of what you accomplished. These guys could have walked away with 4 birds and could brag all they wanted about their great day....but I guess that wasn't enough for them. So sad.... I'm sure you get way more that end up doing the right thing hotshot than turn into the "hunters" that these guys decided to be.

I am curious what kind of $$$ we are talking in fines for these offenses!

[snakeeye]

We've all done stupid stuff, some just more than others, so we can just hope they learned their lesson.

Have faith in OUR system, and if it fails, we are ALL to blame...

[dec]

I heard about this the other day from a gentleman that let these two "kids" hunt his pond a couple times as well. He said that they have done the same thing on his pond. So their getting busted is not the first time.

I saw them hunting where they got busted last week. Hot spot that they took advantage of. Sad display. I heard they were caught red handed as the C.O. watched them do it. Glad to see the system works sometimes.

[hotshot]

DEC, as yoiu stated you know were this took place, any chance the guy would want ethical, legal hunters to take the place of these kids who are way to greedy? That's the main reason I've been told no to some spots- guys like this who have ruined it for others.

[dec]

I know where they got caught. I'd love to hunt that spot, but don't know the owner. It happened near Fun Spot. PM me and I'll tell you the exact location. Maybe we can get it for next year. It is always full of birds.

As for the other person's pond that these kids were killing geese on, yes, I can hunt that location, just never have. It is owned by my wife's uncle. I know another group of guys that hunt it and would simply have to coordinate it with them. I've never hunted it mainly because I have so many other spots to hunt and I've never wanted to step on any toes. That spot is very similar to the pond that you and I hunted the day after Christmas. It is located near the south county line. A drive south on 27, when you get near the tracks, you'll see the spot.

I agree, that is the #1 reason we get turned away by property owners. Not just as waterfowl hunters, but as deer hunters as well. Heck, I know a guy that now won't let squirrel hunters on his property because the ones he had on there constantly over bagged. I goose hunted the property and had to do some real sweet talking to get permission. But the good thing is I secured ALL of his property for early season 2007! Simply by proving that I and who I hunt with are ethical.

I'm sure some Jack Holes are who ruined it for guys like you and I in regards to the property you inquired about south of P.Lake.

[hotshot]

Yes, that is the reason no one can hunt his property. His father has a large farm in Fremont area that was trashed due to unethical use and wild shooting. I know the harvest off of the P. Lake property would actually go up if geese and ducks could be shot out of those fields. There are so many geese using those fields that they are in there along the edges before its even cut.
BTW, Mason and I had a great time with you over break. Thanks

[dec]

I drove past that field last Sunday and there were THOUSANDS of geese a stones throw from the white barn! Made me sick that we can't hunt it.

It was fun. Wish our guns would have cooperated better! Even ol' Quick Shot was struggling. Poor wind direction didn't help much.