wab. poachers caught

lakerman · #1 02-08-2009, 07:41 PM

Who ever called in the red van, the boys got a 140$ticket, fishing with no liscense and keeping 1 pike. It was slow for myself no pike but did get into a handful of whites,funs in the catching not the keeping, plus read your regs, I was out there last week and more people asking how many are you allowed to keep, do we need to put up signs everywhere?

#2 02-08-2009, 07:59 PM

"do we need to put up signs everywhere?"

The signs aren't even enough, many guys have the attitude the fine is minimal and they'll just risk it. If you read the Alberta Game Warden there's actually a few cases relating to the lack of fisherman knowledge. Bull trout have been catch and release for a long time yet guys are still keeping them. Great to see some substantial fines though

Ice fishing's even worse as it sees many guys that don't fish the rest of the year and have no idea what the regulations are (limits, barbless hooks, closed seasons even). I finally programmed the Report a Poacher number into my cell, fish and wildlife officers need any tips they can get.

Great to hear of a few guys getting caught, its a $25 licence and the regs aren't that confusing if you can read.

fishunter77 · #3 02-08-2009, 08:06 PM

I think the fines should be more!! Our fishing in Alberta gets worse every year.

FisherPotch · #4 02-08-2009, 08:09 PM

I've been thinking about this lack of regulation knowlege excuse/BS.

An idea I recently thought of and has likely been thought of before is pre-licence testing. I'd gladly take a 20 question test EVERY year to help eliminate this. And I would think it would be a good idea to have questions that were relavent to any new regulations that have been put in place for that year. I would think this should increase awareness drasticly.

On a C&R lake being caught with a fish like the fellow caught on wab, should result in the suspension of the licence indefinitly. IMHO. A $140 is too easy, I'd say make the person do community service over a fine.

Any body thats kept a Bull trout in recent years needs a big spanking!! How long have we been preaching "no black put it back"?

#5 02-08-2009, 08:16 PM

"Any body thats kept a Bull trout in recent years needs a big spanking!! How long have we been preaching "no black put it back"?"

$2000 fines given out in the cases i was reading about, a bit more of a fine than is normally given for fishing offences.

Kevin C. · #6 02-08-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

On a C&R lake being caught with a fish like the fellow caught on wab, should result in the suspension of the licence indefinitly. IMHO. A $140 is too easy, I'd say make the person do community service over a fine.

I agree 100%, $140 is nothing. I bet they will be back.

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #7 02-08-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakerman

Who ever called in the red van, the boys got a 140$ticket, fishing with no liscense and keeping 1 pike. It was slow for myself no pike but did get into a handful of whites,funs in the catching not the keeping, plus read your regs, I was out there last week and more people asking how many are you allowed to keep, do we need to put up signs everywhere?

I bet you they got the ticket for the no licenses . They will be going to court , any poaching violation gives you a nice slip to show up in court .Ive watched several people get caught keeping fish they shouldn't of , or so on most likely its me calling the Conservation officers on you . Yep I'm a RAT . Anyway Ive never seen anyone person that was poaching , get a ticket , always for not having a license , and these people tend to be repeat offenders . Ill pull of a bunch of Fish and wildlife court cases.

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #8 02-08-2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrs

Great to hear of a few guys getting caught, its a $25 licence and the regs aren't that confusing if you can read.

I know highlight of my fishing day is watching at least one person caught for ither to many fish , or open liquor , these sorts of things bring a huge smile to my face , oh and if you fish with me , follow the laws or be prepared for the friendly conservation officer to become not so friendly LOL . I got many friends , Almost in ever area I fish . Just flip thru to find the right card and dial em up .

FisherPotch · #9 02-08-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrs

"Any body thats kept a Bull trout in recent years needs a big spanking!! How long have we been preaching "no black put it back"?"

$2000 fines given out in the cases i was reading about, a bit more of a fine than is normally given for fishing offences.

2000 bucks for keeping a bull trout! Now thats more like it!! That should teach them a lesson. Were those cases published in game warden mag by chance?

fishunter77 · #10 02-08-2009, 10:12 PM

$2000.00 bucks will get their attention. The Fish police should also be able to confiscate items belonging to the guys breaking the rules.

FisherPotch · #11 02-08-2009, 10:17 PM

I'm fairly certain they can take it all if they want. Anything used to poach from my understanding. Truck boat equipment etc. Most the time they are too nice to take everything from my understanding.

Some one correct me if i'm wrong please.

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #12 02-08-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishunter77

$2000.00 bucks will get their attention. The Fish police should also be able to confiscate items belonging to the guys breaking the rules.

Like I previously said , Ive watched guy get arrested , trucks and boat towed , etc etc , They can do what they want . They know whats worth going after .

fishunter77 · #13 02-08-2009, 10:34 PM

Glad to see you have witnessed some of the law breakers BBJ. I phoned the report a poacher line on Garner Lake last summer. I asked the fisherman if they knew of the Regs for the lake. They did not care as they had a cabin on the lake. I also have a cabin on the lake and fish with up to 4 kids in the boat and teach them proper catch and release so someone else can enjoy the same experience. The people fishing about 100 yards away kept over 12 Walleye in a collapsed fishery.

I never heard back from the wildlife officers and I am still trying to see what kind of penalty they got.

When I phoned it in the person on the end of the line said they may not have time to investigate due to staff shortage. Too Bad!!!

I hope something was done for the future of our lakes in AB.

lucaslogan · #14 02-08-2009, 10:40 PM

I don't poach nor do I fish without a license but I do like to have a beer with my sandwich. I take my empty with me and If you were to report me well you are a LOSER. I don't get drunk on one beer and I pick up other peoples garbage.Guys who get ****ed should be reported but one or two beers should be legal.

#15 02-08-2009, 10:41 PM

"2000 bucks for keeping a bull trout! Now thats more like it!! That should teach them a lesson. Were those cases published in game warden mag by chance?"

For multiple bull trout in each case but still, thats a big fine. Most recent game warden has the details.

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #16 02-08-2009, 10:43 PM

Exactly as previously mentioned , Being a sportsmen , hunter , fishermen , so on and so on , Its your responsibility to know what the laws and rules are . Ive fished all over , the rules all change . I ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS , have a copy of the regulations , come on people there free , take a few , when you buy your bait , or hooks . Have one in tackle box , in truck , Make sure you know what the rules are . And after that you still want to deliberately break the law well , I hope they come down on you hard . But for folks like my self and such that follow the laws and regulations set out to us . Let it be a warning follow them or get caught . You think the Conservation officer , or RCMP Officer , or Fish and wildlife officer are going to give two %&#!'s what you think . And by breaking the law hope they law the smack down on you.

fishunter77 · #17 02-08-2009, 10:54 PM

I think you should be able to have a couple of beers or whiskey to warm you up on a cold day. The officers will give you a ticket if you have open alcohol on the lake.

Just make sure you have designated driver and don't abuse it.

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #18 02-08-2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishunter77

I think you should be able to have a couple of beers or whiskey to warm you up on a cold day. The officers will give you a ticket if you have open alcohol on the lake.

Just make sure you have designated driver and don't abuse it.

Uh I think not . Still open alcohol in a public place .

FisherPotch · #19 02-08-2009, 11:04 PM

Beer and fishing the age old battle LOL.

I'm with ya guys. On the hard water I'll welcome a brew or two in an instant. And rum is even more welcome. On over nighters I might get a little tippsy depending on ice conditions and other factors. Recently fishing from shore I was asked about some empties in my vehicle on the way out. Said we had a few and cleaned up our mess. If it's not going to hurt anything or create any risks I don't see why it isn't allowed. I asked the CO what happens if I real in my line and drink my beer and he was actually quite rude about it. People can camp and drink so I don't see why I cant sit in my chair and drink, it isn't hurting anything. When a person is drunk its different because then it is effecting your judgment. Just my opinion. Hunting and beers on the other hand is a big no no IMHO.

fishunter77 · #20 02-08-2009, 11:05 PM

BBJ,

I will have shot of brandy with my coffee in the morning at the cabin. I go back to the cabin at lunch to have a quick beer with the boys 18 and older.

I don't bring any liquor on the lake. When the kids are fishing with me I will just have a coffee in the morning and make some hot chocolate for the kids.

Thanks.

fishunter77 · #21 02-08-2009, 11:07 PM

I will never drink alcohol while hunting. I strictly go for birds but safety is the first priorty.

Smokey · #22 02-09-2009, 12:58 AM

I would not lose sleep on people poaching from Wabumum, although I agree it is wrong legally. It doesn't make me wanna gnash my teeth like say someone keeping walleye out of recovering walleye fishery. The lake was closed because of the train derailment, and is more for liability sakes then anything. I personally would not touch fish out of there before. I know there is a large concentration of mercury in the water, but test should be done to test the water to see if there were any lasting issues since the spill. I doubt there is much concidering the size of the lake. Government and CN don't want to deal with any ramifications if someone put together a lawsuit, if for some outside chance they developed health issues. I may be wrong and am more than willing to hear someone elses viewpoint. CHEERS!

sco22 · #23 02-09-2009, 09:48 AM

I have actually been pulled over on Touchwood Lake 5 years ago during ice fishing season. . .on my quad. I had a case of Coors Light strapped to the front and about 15 of us were making our way over to Spencer Lake for the day. We were winter camping at the Touchwood Campground.

The lake had terrible flood water that year and most of the vehicles were getting stuck about 1/2 way across. Even the quads were fighting it a lot. I had turned around to go get a couple more shovels and was about 400 yards from shore on the same path as the CO was using to come out on the ice. On go his lights and the passenger CO pops his head out and says "pull over". I was thinking pull over? Where? So I did. They got out and started asking me about the beer, where I was going, how much had I drank. It was around 10:30 am. Luckily there was only 1 missing. They basically told me that a quad is the same as a car and if you drink on a quad it is the same as drinking in a car. Open liquor and/or an impaired charge. The younger fellow (about 30 I would guess) was really giving me the lecture and the older one (around 50) who I have seen about 150 times in that area just said be smart about things. Don't get drunk and drive your quad on the lake because they don't want to come and rescue a drunk that gets lost. They sent me on my way and I warned them about the flood water asking if they had chains. They quite politely reminded me that they drove on this lake about 3 times a week and they should be okay. About 20 minutes later, they got stuck. Really stuck.

I have been checked out on the ice multiple times and not once (other than being pulled over) have the CO's said anything about a beer or two. If you are drunk and throwing your 15 beer cans out on the ice while ripping around on your quad, you will get in trouble. Keep it to a couple of beers in your tent and carry out your garbage and there will be no trouble.

Just my thoughts. . .

icefever · #24 02-09-2009, 11:14 AM

If they are given a ticket for no license then why is the government promoting fishing with out a license this weekend. Seems crazy to me a fishing license cost less than a bottle of CR or a tank of gas in my truck

JohninAB · #25 02-09-2009, 11:23 AM

ice fever, they are allowing the free fishing weekends as a way to promote it. Hopefully get some out for the first time and they may take it up fulltime. It is a Canada wide promotion darn near I think.

Penner · #26 02-09-2009, 12:41 PM

As I understand it, consuming open liquor anywhere on public property is technically illegal. Public property as being on a sidewalk, on a street, out in a park, or even out on a frozen lake as I was told by a CO while he was emptying our almost full case of beer out onto the ice on Lake Isle once.

At least we never got a ticket

, and my buddy had bought the beer

, and it was only Pilsner

, but nonetheless we were still peeved right off about the entire incident

.

BigRackLover · #27 02-09-2009, 12:46 PM

$140 bucks is nothing - should be $5000

drake · #28 02-09-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRackLover

$140 bucks is nothing - should be $5000

Then i guess you wouldnt mind $5000 for going 10km over the speed limit, or $10 000 for failing to COMPLETLY stop at a stop sign. It seems to me the social consequences with keeping a slimy gator from wab are a little less than driving in an "unsafe manor " and jeprodizing others on the road. Im just trying to show that we have to keep things in perspecitve when it comes to fines and what not.

BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES · #29 02-09-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drake

Then i guess you wouldnt mind $5000 for going 10km over the speed limit, or $10 000 for failing to COMPLETLY stop at a stop sign. It seems to me the social consequences with keeping a slimy gator from wab are a little less than driving in an "unsafe manor " and jeprodizing others on the road. Im just trying to show that we have to keep things in perspecitve when it comes to fines and what not.

Speeding and poaching are two diffrent things .

Walleyes · #30 02-09-2009, 02:54 PM

I honestly can't beleive the mentality of some of the people on this site sometimes its like listening to a bunch of 5 year olds talk.. ( my mommy said its bad to drink beer when your fishing ) what ever

Or better yet $5000.00 for what ?? not giving the government more money out of our pockets.. We should be mad at the fact that the f'n government finds it necesary to charge its people for taking part in what is ours in the first place. Get a grip the guy went out caught a fish to eat and never gave the damn government $25.00 to do so,, big deal,, power to him I say...

Now slag away !!!!!!!!!