Do you report poachers?

[rainbowchaser]

I watched a guy put an out of season bass into his cooler today. I told him that it was out of season and he said "so?". I'm not talking a kid here. He was about thirty with good quality spinning gear so he fishes more often. His attitude ensured a call to the poaching hot line. There are a lot of kids who fish out of that park and in the past I've explained the reasons for releasing illegal fish to them without reporting them so I feel a little guilty about turning him in.

[James Smith]

Yes I do. I worked for NH Fish and Game when I first graduated from college and I know how difficult a job they have. I follow the laws and I expect others to do the same.

Jim Smith

[xfishcop]

Thanks Rainbow chaser.
As a retired game warden I know that all of the "cheaters" can't be caught without help from Sportsmen.
The poacher is stealing from the law abiding hunter and fisherman.
xfishcop

[sagefisher]

In a heart beat, yes, I report them. That and for medical emergencies is why I carry a cell phone with me when I am fishing (the cell phone is turned off by the way and in a waterproof container, just in case.

Larry ---sagefisher---

[winstonuser]

I run them off.period

[spinner1]

absolutely. call as they watch...take photos of plate and poacher...is stealing from the law abiding angler.

[Marco]

Report ?.............ABSOLUTELY. Confront ?........ABSOLUTELY NOT !. Face to face confrontation is NOT your job and could avoid a fat lip or worse.

Mark

[Byron haugh]

Good advice, Marco.

[rainbowchaser]

I'm not as intimidating to look at as Len Harris but when he took my informing him of the out of season status of catch the wrong way I did a quick mental assessment that left me feeling fairly safe. Barring his having a concealed weapon I felt that my studded wading boots on his bare legs and sandaled feet trumped his advantages in size and age. After all, I have always felt that the idea of fighting fair just means that us short clumsy types are bound to loose. I don't do it any more after I found that the application of a two by four to the head meant I didn't get beat up again by my six foot two cousin in eighth grade.

[bowfin47]

Have reported several, didn't and don't feel bad in the least. As a sportsman, it is your civic duty...