Comments on: Photographing Snow Geese And Criminals

By: Steve Creek

Steve Creek — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:58:39 +0000

Thanks for the great info Craig and I totally agree.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:30:48 +0000

Unfortunately what you observed was the Social Learning theory in action. According to the theory, our behavior is modified by our peers through a series of positive and negative re-enforcements within our peer structures.
As a Refuge Officer myself I have seen this all to often. I can remember once during an investigation of an individual who I found with five fresh deer heads in the bed of his pick-up truck (coincidentally, while I was getting my Masters Degree in Criminology). When I ran ran his name, I found he was the third generation from his family who had been involved in poaching related cases. His father, uncle, and grandfather had all convictions of poaching.
So what can we do with this information…The change must occur at a cultural level, so as law enforcement professionals, we try to alter the cycle. Working with AUSAs, we can make sentencing recommendations for manatory educational programs along with traditional fines. The educational programs can be in the form of community service with biologists on projects or a more formal community outreach programs (consult visitor services).
Good story….

By: Lili Feldman

Lili Feldman — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:28:02 +0000

I hope those people got really stiff fines. They should also have been sited for the endangerment of a child. I’m glad the boy saw that they got in trouble for doing wrong.
And I’m really glad that they did not know you were a retired law enforcement officer.
Be careful, stay safe and keep being who you are. Great photos! God bless, Lili

By: Mark Coffey

Mark Coffey — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:43:38 +0000

This is not hunting but poaching. One is done fairly and with respect, the other is criminal.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:51:50 +0000

Way to go Steve. All to often we see things happen but do not want to get involved. Photos speak a 1000 words.