Untagged Ducks - advice needed updated OP

I've been duck hunting on and off since I was a kid. Due to how expensive the sport can be, I didn't really get into duck hunting until a few years ago when I could fully finance it myself. I thought I knew most of the rules regarding hunting waterfowl, but I was wrong.

A few months ago I was camping at the Atchafalaya delta WMA. The campground right next to the WLF coastal outpost. I have never had any inclination to break any laws while hunting, and I especially wanted to be correct with my tent 40 yards away from a WLF outpost. Anyways, I make a hunt and shoot 4 birds on a Monday midday hunt and come back to camp. I put the birds in a bag then place them in my ice chest. I knew not to clean them because agents would need to be able to ID them if they wanted. Well, the next morning I wake up head out to hunt, shoot a few birds and come back to the camp. My ice chest is gone. At this point I'm pissed because I think it's stolen. Well after sometime a agent comes over, and I get a ticket for not following the law quoted below.

quote:

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No person shall give, put or leave any migratory game birds at any place or in the custody of another person unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information: 1. The hunter’s name and signature. 2. The hunter’s address. 3. The total number of birds involved, by species. 4. The dates such birds were killed. Tagging is required if the birds are being transported by another person for the hunter or if the birds have been left for cleaning, storage (including temporary storage), shipment or taxidermy services. (

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I was extremely polite to the guy and explained how this was my first time camping. Every single hunt I've ever been on has ended with us coming back to a home or house camp. Well that didn't mean shite to him, and I got a ticket.

Pre trial Diversion paperwork came in..
$106 for the disposal of the confiscated ducks- WLF fine (separate)
$500 fine
40 hours community service
6 months probation w/ $60 a month fee for meeting with a counselor.

It will come off my record but wow... I'm fricking shocked with how much this is going to cost me. Anyways the reason I posted all this is to educated other hunters. I also am wondering if anyone believes this is worth going to court over and pleading my ignorance/case. I can't find anything in regards to my offense and what to expect if I went to court.

I took the time to print out about 100 tags, and I now keep them in my blind bag. I've been back to the campground on another 5+ occasions. I've walked the campground and talked to other hunters. I'd say I've talked to 50+ different groups. 40 or so had no clue they had to tag their ducks so I gave them tags. 5 or so guys only knew about the tagging process because they heard my story so they were compliant, and 5 or so groups really were aware of the rule but a few didn't have tags so again I supplied tags.

Yeah, this sucks

*Update*
Showed up to court.. That’s worthy of a thread by itself. Before showing up I talked to a friend that works for a DA in another area and got some advice on how things would go. Well this court moved faster than what I was told to expect. I was called forward and I approached the podium. Was addressed with the charge. I asked if I could have a moment to address the court before pleading(buddies advice) judge said go ahead. After about 5 secs of my story he cut me short and asked if I had any record. No. And other charges? No. Asked what the fine was. 400-900. Said if I plead it’s 400 plus court costs 340. I plead guilty, paid with a credit card and heading home.

There was one old black guy that was being arraigned. When he approached the DA said they wanted to postpone his arraignment to get more evidence. This old man lost his shite calmly. He said I’ll be damned. This is the 2nd time y’all done did this to me. The judge asked what he had done. Old man said I had a dead coon. A what? A coon, mean critters ya know em. The court room is serious but everyone was laughing at this point. Well the old man wasn’t having it. He said I’ve driven here twice from Houston for a damn coon. If there’s a fine lemme pay it, but I’m tired of driving out here for a dead coon I didn’t kill. I picked him up out the water while fishing. The judge stopped him and told the DA to resolve the issue today. I left before seeing the resolution.

Another was in shackles and had already served 60 days for theft. He stole 7 dollars...