re: Untagged Ducks - advice needed updated OP

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Many years ago we also were camping at same campground. After a good hunt we were cooking a gumbo using some of the teal we had killed. Gamewarden walked up checked everyone including our dead birds. He then proceeded to open our pot and spoon out and count every teal in the pot. I remember he laid them on the lid sitting on ground. We were legal, but we thought that was going a little overboard.

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bullshite

I'd go to court and hope the game warden doesn't show up, or talk to the guy prosecuting it beforehand. For speeding tickets and stuff, they will generally allow you to plead down, so they may do that for this too.

Learning something new, thanks

This is another thing that I think will/could go well for me, and why I should appear in court. My violation will be clear that it was a mistake out of ignorance. Ignorance is not an excuse, but it’s not gross ignorance of a common sense rules. I didn’t use lead shot, didn’t shoot birds out of season, didn’t shoot over a limit or too many ducks of one species. I didn’t try to hide my violation, and I was completely compliant with the officer. However, I’m lumped in with the guys who truly did commit violations knowingly. I have to believe that a judge will view my case as much less severe as others who will be present.

The possible jail time scares the frick out of me. If I served jail time I could lose my job. Now everyone I’ve talked to ensures me there’s no way I could be given jail time. I’ll be consulting a lawyer “friend” here soon and should have a clear picture.

GL

Updated in OP

Yeah

Edit: misread. No it is not ILLEGAL to cook your birds at the campsite.

Glad it worked out for you, still a damn shame but $740 is a whole lot better than being on probation and community service

" A damn coon "

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So what if you plead not guilty?

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Get a trial date where I could have possibly negotiated with the DA before hand. Chance they ignore me cause they already offered a pret trial diversion. Could work a plea out where I agree to pretty much the same thing. The fine is set $400-900. Or the DA ignores me we go to trial I plead guilty but now I wasted everyone’s time and could deal with a harsher judge. I took the guaranteed minimum and rolled out. There’s the chance I missed out on a opportunity to negotiate with the DA in court on PTD but without the community service and probation, but I’m not overly worried about the record so I took the judge’s word that it was just a fine before pleading guilty.

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and people wonder why wardens are disliked!!!! Those of old had a little common sense

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I’m just glad it’s over. But yeah I’m out $740, and I now have a criminal record. The warden knew within 2 minutes of conversation that I wasn’t guilty of trying to break a law. The goal of officers are to enforce laws but to also prevent crimes from happening. I will never make the mistake again and he knew that, he could have let me off with a warning.