What happens if you get caught poaching

Canada does not only punish the poacher but also whoever purchased the poached fish. The effects of poaching probably have a wider range than you might think. Forge ahead to check out the consequences of poaching. New, stiffer poaching laws aren't really out to punish the angler or hunter who mistakenly goes over the bag limit in an honest mistake.

Laws are being tightened to stop repeat offenders and those who knowingly kill or catch large quantities of game [source: Outdoor Central ].

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Summary Poaching stands as one of the greatest threats to both the social acceptance of hunting and professional wildlife management. Share this page. Your opinion counts Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. Wanton destruction of a big game animal is also a serious poaching offense. However, the crime becomes felony poaching if the person received two convictions in the previous ten years.

Facing poaching charges without a formidable criminal defense lawyer representing you could be dangerous.

A poaching conviction means that the state will suspend your license to hunt. Any conviction could hurt your chances of getting a job, holding a professional license, obtaining a higher education, and finding housing.

In addition to having a conviction on your record, you will have to pay restitution. The court will order payment of restitution for each animal poached. The restitution costs alone could reach well into the thousands, which you will have to pay even if you went to jail. If you face poaching charges, contact Wyoming poaching defense attorney Jeremy Hugus and his team with Cowboy Criminal Defense today at to learn how he could help you.

But most of the money collected through civil restitution charges goes directly into TPWD's Fund 9 - the state account used to fund the state's wildlife and fisheries programs. Within a few weeks of being cited for illegally taking wildlife or fish resources, a person can expect a letter from TPWD notifying them of the civil restitution charges being levied against them and their obligation to pay the fee.

That letter offers the violator the opportunity to settle the debt for 80 percent of the amount of civil penalties and set up a payment plan if the person responds within 30 days. If the individual doesn't respond to the first letter, a second letter is sent about a month after the first, notifying the person they must pay percent of the bill. Most of the violators end up paying the civil judgment assessed for their stealing from fellow Texans.

And if that penalty makes them or any potential thief of Texas' publicly owned wildlife and fish resources think twice about their actions, the civil restitution program is a success. Most Popular.