Dove hunt in Ringgold

[jigman1]

Well went on opening day dove hunt, it started out slow, then around 3:30 the birds started flying. I got 2, then the game warden came walking down the field checking license everything was ok then all the sudden another warden came over and took our drivers license. To make a long story short someone had put bait in the field. There was probably 50 people there and we all got tickets. NOT A GOOD DAY AT ALL. We started to leave and the land owner came up and took the tickets and said he was going to get a attorney and fight it so, hopefully it will be taken care of. I have never had a ticket for any kind of game law, if he can't beat the charges I'm going to court on it myself. Anyone that prays help me pray this will be dropped I don't want this on my record and I really can't afford to be paying a fine.

 

[EricM]

I hope it gets cleared up for you. You didn't do it or even know about it, but they were right to cite everyone there. Now maybe a judge will look at the matter and find compassion for those who unknowingly got caught up in this. Maybe there will be a happy ending.

 

[Kingfish]

EricM - 9/2/2012 11:22 PM I hope it gets cleared up for you. You didn't do it or even know about it, but they were right to cite everyone there. Now maybe a judge will look at the matter and find compassion for those who unknowingly got caught up in this. Maybe there will be a happy ending.

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[screwball]

The law is very clear on this unfortunately. I had some friends that got caught in a field like that and they all had to pay. Its a stupid law but that is the way it is. emoHoppingmad

 

[Rollcast]

We always have a TN officer speak at our Hunter Ed classes. We always have a question on baiting and its definition. It is always mentioned that you check before hunting so you don't get caught in a situation like the one described. The burden of proof would be that you didn't know the field was baited. The reality is that it was baited and you were hunting there. Hope everything works out.

 

[SpurHunter]

OUCH, that sucks, but I suspect you wont win this battle. If it is deemed "baited" everyone on the field will have to pay, thats the way it goes.

 

[grayson_garrett]

I know the gentleman who owns the field and had a couple buddies there as well, the field was not just a random field to "bait" and hunt! This gentleman has had dove hunts there for many many years and knows that the green jeans stop by every year, and is one of the most honest men that I have ever had the privelage to meet. I heard that the said bait was a 10lb bag of bird seed from walmart. Who spends thousands of dollars in planting and cutting and then dumps a 10lb bag of store bought bird seed out? Sounds a little fishy to me!

 

[rsimms]

All I'll say is that it might have been a mistake to let the landowner take the ticket. DO NOT depend on the landowner to take care of it, or even be able to defend you in court.

He can testify on your behalf if he wants to, at the appropriate time ... however the ticket was written to YOU. Unless you receive some sort of official notification from the court, make darn sure you appear in court yourself at the designated time and place.

Otherwise you are liable to end up with a "Failure to Appear" arrest warrant, and things can get real bad for you if that happens.

 

[jigman1]

I don't believe the land owner knew about it either Grayson. He's gonna try to beat it he's pretty sure his neighbor done it, he had trouble with him last year.

 

[grayson_garrett]

jigman1 - 9/3/2012 8:39 PM

I don't believe the land owner knew about it either Grayson. He's gonna try to beat it he's pretty sure his neighbor done it, he had trouble with him last year.

Usually the case, sorry that one sorry individual ruined y'alls hunt! Hope that it works out in his favor as I can't say enough how much respect I have for him!