Playing by the rules (Rant)

[rlditmars]

So a friend of mine calls me to tell me his father-in-law took a very large ten point buck over the gun season opener in Michigan. It's the third buck he has taken this year. First was a 6, followed by another 6, and now this huge 10. The problem is that in MI you are allowed two bucks during the season. The first can be anything even a button buck, but the second must have 4 or more points of an inch or larger on one side, hence a 7 or 8 point minimum. So not only has this guy poached the third deer (10 point), but he shouldn't have taken the second 6 point either. To top it off he is now bragging and showing off his trophy.

What has happened to doing your best and accepting the outcome? I am all for striving to achieve goals or competing for a prize. I am not very good at it mind you but none the less; as long as everyone knows the rules and the playing field is level, go for it and may the best one win. Growing up, most of us have probably heard the saying, "It doesn't matter if you win or lose, but how you play the game." Today that no longer rings true. It seems that to many people, winning is all that matters, and any means justifies the end. This is an ethical decay that pervades our society of late and it isn't just hunting or sports. It's in business, it's in law, it's in (insert item here) cause the list goes on and on.

I am by no means a perfect person and never have claimed to be. But when it comes to playing by the rules I do my best to start there and try to stay in bounds all the way through the course. And I wouldn't have a problem with DQing myself if I messed up. Otherwise, what's the point in it all? I just have never understood a sense of satifaction that comes from an achievement, reached through cheating. Anyone can do it wrong. Right?

If you'll excuse me now, I have to go shoot some juice and do some training. I've entered the 100 yard dash in the special olympics. Can't wait to hoist my gold medal and get my face on a box of Wheaties.

[iCandiBallPythons]

Hunting isnt hunting now days its more like bait wait and take the shot, thats why I know longer hunt.

[jbean7916]

did he tag these deer? I'm sorry but I don't believe in allowing poaching to go unreported. If it can be proved, you need to turn him in.

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[rlditmars]

did he tag these deer? I'm sorry but I don't believe in allowing poaching to go unreported. If it can be proved, you need to turn him in.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

He couldn't have tagged all three as he wouldn't have had tags for three. None the less I agree it should be reported but its the provable part that would be tough. It's all hearsay as I haven't witnessed, just heard from a third party. It just bothers me that others are happy to take unearned and undeserved accolades, and with such pride. Despite what we are taught as children, cheaters do prosper.

[spasticbeast]

In some states, if you are a land owner, you can harvest over the tag limit as long as it meets certain criteria. A few rules that come to mind are, as long as it does not leave your property(harvested, processed, cooked, eaten on the land), or if it has been a nuisance animal that has eaten crops. I don't trophy hunt(although I wouldn't pass up a big buck), it is simply for organic meat, but I always follow state guidelines. Even if I have the chance to take the deer of a lifetime, I respect the rules and know that they are in place for good reasons like population and herd management.

[wilomn]

Do your best to be your best is the best I have come up with in my circling of this dilemma.

I'd be willing to bet that you hear that little voice everyone has but most ignore. I think I know what it's telling you, but it's just a guess. Whatever you do about this situation there are consequences, as with all situations really.

People lie and cheat and steal. But not all of them. There are some stand up folks out there. Be one of them, the stander uppers.

I wonder sometimes, standing in my puddle of imperfection, how people do the cheating and breaking rules they've agreed to abide by so often and easily, but then I remember that it's not my job to worry about them. Not my responsibility.

We have an anonymous 'we-tip' line for crimes out here where you can leave information about poaching. Maybe you guys have something like that out there or maybe a letter sent from a town you don't live in to the wardens in his area that they may want to keep an eye on this guy for such and such reasons.

Good luck figuring it out, though it sounds like you have, mostly.

[mainbutter]

Minnesota has the "Turn-In-Poachers" (TIP) line. I don't know if Michigan has something similar, but please consider using something like that.

Gather any evidence you have and send it along. I don't tolerate poaching, and hope others don't either.