RAP rewards are not funded from income taxes but from a levy placed on hunting and fishing licenses that is used to fund the ACA. ACA then administers the RAP reward program from their funding.
The idea behind a fine, especially for retaining one fish, is not to bankrupt someone but hopefully deter further illegal acts ie poaching.
Why should the officer escort the guilty party off the ice? If you get stopped and ticketed for speeding, do they remove you from the road for the day?
As with most violation tickets, till your day in court or your voluntary payment, you are presumed innocent.
I think the RAP program functioned as it should in this case.
Oh and was it a CO or a Fish and Wildlife officer that ticketed the other party?
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