Disappointed in R.A.P.

[Carson13]

Recently, a friend of mine was out fishing on a trout lake in Alberta with a zero catch limit. There was ONLY ONE other group on the lake, my friend walked over to ask how they were doing and realized they had a fish in the box of the truck. They bragged about it and even identified they knew it was illegal!Having bad cell service on the lake, my friend messaged me, to call RAP about the poachers.

After speaking with the receptionist and a short wait for F&W to call me back, I was informed that the closest officer was 2 hours away but was en-route.

When the Conservation Officer showed up to the lake his lights were blasting. He headed straight to the Poachers and looked in the back of the truck where the illegal fish was kept. After seeing the group packing up and leaving, my friend thought justice was served.

The officer stopped by a short while later to break the news - a $200 Ticket and a seized fish ! Didn’t even force them off the lake and could have continued to fish, the officer says! - (BS IMO). Also, had a warning for my friend that they knew he called RAP, and to watch his back fishing the rest of the day. My friend asked what violation it would take for them to be escorted off the lake, the CO stated “10 bulltrout on the ice”. (Now I understand small communities and the local poachers most likely knowing the officer, but at what point is it time to lay a serious fine?) The Officer then explained he felt the ticket taught him the lesson he needed. My friend after the officer left, immediately packed up and headed home from a 3 day trip - on day 1. He was concerned the poachers may return looking for revenge.

F&W called me a couple days later to inform me they had caught the poachers. I expressed my concern about the low fine and they were brushed off!

A couple days ago my friend received a cheque from RAP, as is their process. We were thinking it would be a small percentage of the fine, but it was $400! Twice the amount of the initial fine! Not to mention the officers 2 hour drive to lay the fine.

A disappointing realization that it costs the taxpayer more to catch a poacher than to just stock another fish!

Where’s the logic in this?

Carson

[MooseRiverTrapper]

Lots of complaining

[58thecat]

You need a nap eh!

[Carson13]

My intention in posting this isn’t to complain or berate the CO or poacher, or anyone, only to point out the inequality between the crime, punishment, and reward, that we’re all on the hook for.

thanks!

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by Carson13

My intention in posting this isn’t to complain or berate the CO or poacher, or anyone, only to point out the inequality between the crime, punishment, and reward, that we’re all on the hook for.

thanks!

This has been an issue for a long time with fish & wildlife offenses in Canada

[JohninAB]

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?

[Carson13]

Likely Fish and wildlife officer, sorry, my bad..

Guess this is why our governments are all in such debt!

Update: just replayed one of my messages, they definitely said Conservation Officer

[CNP]

Originally Posted by JohninAB

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?

Thanks John...…………………a breath of fresh air from the AO gulag

[CNP]

Originally Posted by Carson13

Recently, a friend of mine was out fishing on a trout lake in Alberta with a zero catch limit. There was ONLY ONE other group on the lake, my friend walked over to ask how they were doing and realized they had a fish in the box of the truck. They bragged about it and even identified they knew it was illegal!Having bad cell service on the lake, my friend messaged me, to call RAP about the poachers.

After speaking with the receptionist and a short wait for F&W to call me back, I was informed that the closest officer was 2 hours away but was en-route.

When the Conservation Officer showed up to the lake his lights were blasting. He headed straight to the Poachers and looked in the back of the truck where the illegal fish was kept. After seeing the group packing up and leaving, my friend thought justice was served.

The officer stopped by a short while later to break the news - a $200 Ticket and a seized fish ! Didn’t even force them off the lake and could have continued to fish, the officer says! - (BS IMO). Also, had a warning for my friend that they knew he called RAP, and to watch his back fishing the rest of the day. My friend asked what violation it would take for them to be escorted off the lake, the CO stated “10 bulltrout on the ice”. (Now I understand small communities and the local poachers most likely knowing the officer, but at what point is it time to lay a serious fine?) The Officer then explained he felt the ticket taught him the lesson he needed. My friend after the officer left, immediately packed up and headed home from a 3 day trip - on day 1. He was concerned the poachers may return looking for revenge.

F&W called me a couple days later to inform me they had caught the poachers. I expressed my concern about the low fine and they were brushed off!

A couple days ago my friend received a cheque from RAP, as is their process. We were thinking it would be a small percentage of the fine, but it was $400! Twice the amount of the initial fine! Not to mention the officers 2 hour drive to lay the fine.

A disappointing realization that it costs the taxpayer more to catch a poacher than to just stock another fish!

Where’s the logic in this?

Carson

I cannot fathom why you are disappointed. An officer despite being two hours away, responds to the call of one fish being unlawfully retained and executes his duty. Add in the officers salary, vehicle and other support towards the taxpayers bill. It's not about making money. I have no problem with the outcome.

[Talking moose]

You called them: they came: they fined poachers: you receive reward: your angry with this:

[musak4ears]

I thank you and your buddy Carson13 for making this happen. Feels like we have little control over fines and such, but are in total control to make that call and send a message to others that what they are doing is not right.

I am curious if the fine/ticket is attached to their WIN card and will affect future purchases of licenses if it remains unpaid???

[fisher Gord]

because the ticket is issued by the justice department same as a speeding ticket. will surface when u buy license. u don't have to accept the reward.

[sns2]

You and your buddy did the right thing. Co did the right thing too, he enforced the law. Take your half of the money and buy new hooks. Simple.