I’ve resisted commenting but, after reading all the TPWD bashing, I’ve got to say something.
BM was in the wrong. He knew his fish was not eligible for SAL because he didn’t have a valid TPWD fishing license. So BM bought a license the next day but he knowingly let his fish stay entered in the program. Being the consummate self-promoter I’d guess BM was after notoriety more than a cash prize. But that still doesn’t make what BM did right.
Had BM notified TPWD of his “mistake” there would have been no harm, no foul. As demonstrated by another similar example posted on this thread.
"Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out" - Zachary Troy Schrah - a young man with vision far beyond his years.
Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
I’ve resisted commenting but, after reading all the TPWD bashing, I’ve got to say something.
BM was in the wrong. He knew his fish was not eligible for SAL because he didn’t have a valid TPWD fishing license. So BM bought a license the next day but he knowingly let his fish stay entered in the program. Being the consummate self-promoter I’d guess BM was after notoriety more than a cash prize. But that still doesn’t make what BM did right.
Had BM notified TPWD of his “mistake” there would have been no harm, no foul. As demonstrated by another similar example posted on this thread.
I very rarely disagree with anything you post, however, being awarded a "lottery ticket" doesn't equate to "intent to influence the outcome of a contest". Did TPWD remove the "ill gotten" fish from the program, or did the put it in the breeding program anyway? Ben was ticketed and paid the fine for the "no license" violation, and it should have ended there. The charge is based on "could have won" and "may have won". People have been caught trimming tails on slot fish in big bass tournament which is where this charge would apply, but has never been charged, merely ticketed.
This event reminds me of the head of the game and fish department in Wyoming who was busted without his license on him. His solution? Go back to town, forge one with a retroactive date, and proceed to get into even more trouble. This was back in the 1990s when I lived there. It went badly for him and he wound up offing himself (not sure how related the two events were but he clearly had some issues). I’ve forgotten to renew my license and boat registration in the past. Got busted on the registration and now I have e-reminders set up. The BM situation sounds like he screwed up, realized it, then made the wrong decision and made things worse. Bad move.
I’ve resisted commenting but, after reading all the TPWD bashing, I’ve got to say something.
BM was in the wrong. He knew his fish was not eligible for SAL because he didn’t have a valid TPWD fishing license. So BM bought a license the next day but he knowingly let his fish stay entered in the program. Being the consummate self-promoter I’d guess BM was after notoriety more than a cash prize. But that still doesn’t make what BM did right.
Had BM notified TPWD of his “mistake” there would have been no harm, no foul. As demonstrated by another similar example posted on this thread.
I very rarely disagree with anything you post, however, being awarded a "lottery ticket" doesn't equate to "intent to influence the outcome of a contest". Did TPWD remove the "ill gotten" fish from the program, or did the put it in the breeding program anyway? Ben was ticketed and paid the fine for the "no license" violation, and it should have ended there. The charge is based on "could have won" and "may have won". People have been caught trimming tails on slot fish in big bass tournament which is where this charge would apply, but has never been charged, merely ticketed.
I'm not sure Ben was written a ticket or paid a fine. I have not read that in an article yet but did read that TPWD only found out about it recently when they were reviewing the paperwork before the end of the year. He may have been ticketed but I have not read that anywhere.
I believe he innocently entered the fish, then discovered that his license was not current. Instead of the embarrassment of going to the TPWD he just let it go. He should have manned up and done what the other guy did and we would not be sitting here talking about it today. Does that mean they were right for charging him? Ben had to have known since February when he bought his new license that his fish was illegally entered.
I'm not sure Ben was written a ticket or paid a fine. I have not read that in an article yet but did read that TPWD only found out about it recently when they were reviewing the paperwork before the end of the year. He may have been ticketed but I have not read that anywhere.
I believe he innocently entered the fish, then discovered that his license was not current. Instead of the embarrassment of going to the TPWD he just let it go. He should have manned up and done what the other guy did and we would not be sitting here talking about it today. Does that mean they were right for charging him? Ben had to have known since February when he bought his new license that his fish was illegally entered.
Wait a minute, you didn’t read what the TPWD spokesperson said about him being ticketed and see the news story about the class c felony charge? You’ve basically seen nothing about the case except for the inaccurate arrest information?
Seems like the biggest issue here is that the TPWD spokesperson said, “Ben KNOWINGLY falsified the entry form”. Now if the spokesperson made that info up, I assume Ben will be dropping a lawsuit against them.
So exact same infraction. One turns himself in and one doesn’t and buys a license immediately. Neither person gets a chance at the stupid raffle. Same exact offense. One results in nothing and one results in a class a misdemeanor. One self reports and one digs a hole.
It’s almost like the money is there now just so they can really screw with people. They need to keep it what it’s always been. A program. Them adding money to it recently and changing the legal definition of the program to qualify as a fishing contest/ tournament is suspect.
I agree, one breaks the law and admits it, all ok. One breaks the same law and says nothing and charges are filed? Maybe the one that came clean had bad intentions but changed his mind. TPWD singles out one and tries to prove intent? I am no lawyer, but this stinks. Also may not know all the facts that could change the situation.
I'm not sure Ben was written a ticket or paid a fine. I have not read that in an article yet but did read that TPWD only found out about it recently when they were reviewing the paperwork before the end of the year. He may have been ticketed but I have not read that anywhere.
I believe he innocently entered the fish, then discovered that his license was not current. Instead of the embarrassment of going to the TPWD he just let it go. He should have manned up and done what the other guy did and we would not be sitting here talking about it today. Does that mean they were right for charging him? Ben had to have known since February when he bought his new license that his fish was illegally entered.
Wait a minute, you didn’t read what the TPWD spokesperson said about him being ticketed and see the news story about the class c felony charge? You’ve basically seen nothing about the case except for the inaccurate arrest information?
Seems like the biggest issue here is that the TPWD spokesperson said, “Ben KNOWINGLY falsified the entry form”. Now if the spokesperson made that info up, I assume Ben will be dropping a lawsuit against them.
I'm not sure Ben was written a ticket or paid a fine. I have not read that in an article yet but did read that TPWD only found out about it recently when they were reviewing the paperwork before the end of the year. He may have been ticketed but I have not read that anywhere.
I believe he innocently entered the fish, then discovered that his license was not current. Instead of the embarrassment of going to the TPWD he just let it go. He should have manned up and done what the other guy did and we would not be sitting here talking about it today. Does that mean they were right for charging him? Ben had to have known since February when he bought his new license that his fish was illegally entered.
Seems like the biggest issue here is that the TPWD spokesperson said, “Ben KNOWINGLY falsified the entry form”. Now if the spokesperson made that info up, I assume Ben will be dropping a lawsuit against them.
This is the key. Knowingly falsified an entry form. The fishing license was not a big deal. What he did after that was.
Read “Knowingly”. That’s why I don’t understand the hate for TPWD.
The Dude is all about clicks and ME. Hard to fly under the radar when you act a douche for a living. But he’s getting huge exposure. Jerry Jones will be hiring him soon.
"Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out" - Zachary Troy Schrah - a young man with vision far beyond his years.
Wait a minute, you didn’t read what the TPWD spokesperson said about him being ticketed and see the news story about the class c felony charge? You’ve basically seen nothing about the case except for the inaccurate arrest information?
Seems like the biggest issue here is that the TPWD spokesperson said, “Ben KNOWINGLY falsified the entry form”. Now if the spokesperson made that info up, I assume Ben will be dropping a lawsuit against them.
inAcCurAte ArReSt iNfOrmATiOn
Just in case you didn't see this earlier lmao
Saw it and have seen several other reports, that statute doesn’t exist, so how can we believe anything they wrote? They can’t even cite the current statute, seems awfully odd to me…lmoa….
