Uncle Ted fined for baiting deer

[david86440]

I missed him when he was in town!

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/deer-98041-baiting-nugent.html

Rock star and gun rights advocate Ted Nugent was fined $1,750 today in Yuba County Superior Court after pleading no contest to baiting deer on his hunting show "Spirit of the Wild."

Yuba City attorney Jack Kopp, representing Theodore Anthony Nugent, 61, entered a no contest plea to Department of Fish and Game charges of baiting deer and not having a deer tag "countersigned" at the closest possible location, said Deputy District Attorney John Vacek.

Baiting deer is legal in some states but not in California, said state Fish and Game spokesman Patrick Foy. Baiting supplies are sold at some outdoor stores, he said.

The deer was killed in El Dorado County toward the end of deer hunting season last fall but brought to Yuba County. Two co-defendants, Mitchell Neil Moore and Ross Albert Patterson, live in Yuba County, said Vacek.

Moore was a photographer on the show. The role of Patterson, who pleaded no contest to taking an animal with bait, was not clear, said Foy.

Moore and Patterson also were represented by Kopp and did not appear in court. Moore, who pleaded no contest to possessing an animal illegally, agreed to a fine of $700. Patterson agreed to a fine of $1,225, Kopp told Judge James F. Dawson.

All three men were ordered to pay the fines by Oct. 1.

Nugent was originally facing a charge of killing a "spike" — an immature buck — on the program but the charge was dropped during negotiations between his attorney and the Yuba County District Attorney's Office, said Foy.

A spike is a deer with two antlers that have not yet "forked," Foy said.

A Department of Fish and Game warden saw the show in March and "just about fell out of his chair" when he saw Nugent with the buck, according to Foy.

[fightingquaker13]

Shooting deer over bait? In some states its considered to be in poor taste, in others, its just how things are done. As long as its a legal animal and in season? I might have an opinion, but its not my business, and certainly not the government's. You play your game, I'll play mine. Its just about the local hunting culture and everyone else can piss up a rope. The Spike? Hell, what's wrong with that? Biologically its the most expendable animal in the herd. Its unlikely to survive thre winter, and is uneccessary for reproduction (kind of like a Congressman ). I fail to see any reason not to shoot one, again, like a Congressman. Leave Ted alone.
FQ13 Only in Kalifornia

[tombogan03884]

It's political, they just wanted to flex some muscle, that's why they are messing with the Photographer

[SwoopSJ]

The Spike? Hell, what's wrong with that?

Hunting over bait somewhat diminishes the sporting aspect of hunting, in my opinion.  However, if the local law allows it and it doesn't bother you, go for it.  Killing the spike is a different story, though.  Among serious hunters, who typically practice herd management, this is definitely faux pa.  It's different if your attempting to harvest game for food.  Hey, under those circumstances, if it's brown, it's down.  Ted sort of sullied his  image with hunters and non hunters alike by a)  breaking the law, and b)  doing so for a spike (which I gather is also illegal where he was hunting).  He should have at least had the common sense not to use the footage for his hunting show.   I just hoped for a little better conduct out of a self-made representative of our sport.  

Swoop





 

[fightingquaker13]

Swoop
This where we get into "local hunting cultures" and game management. Me I won't shoot a deer over 100 yards away and I would rather kiss my cousins (rather homely girls, even minus the Yech! factor. ) than shoot a deer over bait. Thats how I was brought up in Fl. However in Texas, deer corn can be bought at Circle K (along with rounds like .257 and 7mm/.08), which kind of makes up for it, considering they also have beer and nachos.   Point being, I play the game my way, you play it your way and as long as its legal, well, I'll keep my opinion to myself.
As for the spike? It depends on how you are managing your deer herd. Do you want lots of trophy bucks, or just lots of deer? If its bucks, protect the spikes. If its deer? Cull them. Again, its not a moral issue, just a local one.
FQ13

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[tombogan03884]

NH the horns have to be 2 inches long for a spike horn to be legal.

[Dakotaranger]

In No Dak a spike buck that the antlers are under the length of the ears is considered anterless.  Don't really have an opinion of baiting one way or the other.  Definitely don't care about baiting if it's for the meat, but if it's illegal then I do

[PegLeg45]

Heck, the DNR rangers have been pushing to legalize hunting over bait (with some limitations) for a while around here.
Trying to thin an overwhelming population in some areas.

[TAB]

It's political, they just wanted to flex some muscle, that's why they are messing with the Photographer

You know I really doubt thats the case here, that area ted would fit in nicly.( minus the tweakers of corse).  Baiting deer in CA = illegal.  honestly, a $1700 fine from the DFG is tiny, they are normall 5 digets.  They do have a big prob with poachers up there, so chances are very good, you are going to get stoped by a DFG officer and checked really good if they see you hunting.

[fightingquaker13]

Heck, the DNR rangers have been pushing to legalize hunting over bait (with some limitations) for a while around here.
Trying to thin an overwhelming population in some areas.

That's my point. Local conditions should dictate the rules. personally? I kill most deer within bow hunting ranges even though I use a rifle because the stalk is the thrill for me. I don't like tree stands and won't use bait and I'd rather kill a doe or a spike as I want meat in the freezer rather than anlers on the wall. None of that makes me better or worse  than someone who hunts differently. Use a bow? Hunt only trophy bucks? Shoot them at 400 yards over a feeder from a stand, or from ten yards with a long bow in the woods? Not my problem. I'm happy to let the Fish and Game folks tell me how many I can kill, what sort and when. Beyond that? Not my business.
FQ13 who will not brag about or apologize for his doe shot at thirty yards with a 300 yard rifle.