08-19-2007, 12:14 AM
Yes, it is true--the following is a release I sent out on Friday that will be released statewide next week.
[size 3]Two Salt Lake County anglers recently found out the hard way that fishing methods in their native country may be illegal in Utah. It is a situation that Conservation Officers see more frequently as Utah’s population grows. Utah Wildlife Officers often see many people that come from countries where fishing and hunting are unregulated and they break hunting and fishing rules unknowingly. For these unintentional mistakes, officers often give warnings or give citations for the lowest possible fine for lesser offenses.[/size]
[size 3]On the other end of the spectrum are those who break wildlife rules knowingly. Some set out with the mindset that they will break rules and get away with it. Others may not go afield with the intention of breaking wildlife laws, but they are tempted to take an over-limit of fish or shoot ducks after shooting hours or give in to peer pressure to break the law. When officers determine that people knew they were breaking the law, they often cite the offender with Class B or A misdemeanor or even felony charges. [/size]
[size 3]In the case of the two anglers from Salt Lake County, Officers Keith Fullencamp and Jonathan Moser discovered them fishing with a home-made spear gun at East Canyon Reservoir. It was a mistake that they appeared to make unknowingly. However, they had taken an over-limit of fish knowing they had done so. Also, one of the two anglers did not have a fishing license. The Class A misdemeanor charges they were cited with could result in a fine of $2,500 and $25 for each fish over the limit. Their hunting and fishing privileges could also be revoked. Photos for this story are available at [url "http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/media/newsphotos/"]http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/media/newsphotos/[/url] [/size]
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[size 3]Two Salt Lake County anglers recently found out the hard way that fishing methods in their native country may be illegal in Utah. It is a situation that Conservation Officers see more frequently as Utah’s population grows. Utah Wildlife Officers often see many people that come from countries where fishing and hunting are unregulated and they break hunting and fishing rules unknowingly. For these unintentional mistakes, officers often give warnings or give citations for the lowest possible fine for lesser offenses.[/size]
[size 3]On the other end of the spectrum are those who break wildlife rules knowingly. Some set out with the mindset that they will break rules and get away with it. Others may not go afield with the intention of breaking wildlife laws, but they are tempted to take an over-limit of fish or shoot ducks after shooting hours or give in to peer pressure to break the law. When officers determine that people knew they were breaking the law, they often cite the offender with Class B or A misdemeanor or even felony charges. [/size]
[size 3]In the case of the two anglers from Salt Lake County, Officers Keith Fullencamp and Jonathan Moser discovered them fishing with a home-made spear gun at East Canyon Reservoir. It was a mistake that they appeared to make unknowingly. However, they had taken an over-limit of fish knowing they had done so. Also, one of the two anglers did not have a fishing license. The Class A misdemeanor charges they were cited with could result in a fine of $2,500 and $25 for each fish over the limit. Their hunting and fishing privileges could also be revoked. Photos for this story are available at [url "http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/media/newsphotos/"]http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/media/newsphotos/[/url] [/size]
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