Replies

• surfman Posts: 6,017 Admiral

  November 2014 #2

  Do they have a check station? If so you have to use it. What does the WMA brochure say? If not then you are probably okay. I believe they are more worried about people entering and exiting from adjacent land and not ever being seen, you know like a parked vehicle where they LEO can check up on you if need be.

  Tight Lines, Steve
  My posts are my opinion only.
  
  Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.  Will Rogers

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• pbsnooker Posts: 882 Officer

  November 2014 #3

  It's called a ticket!
  Illegal entry and exit of management area to be exact.
  How I know? I've gotten one!

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• haluckm Posts: 5 Greenhorn

  November 2014 #4

  Thanks for the responses... The reason I posted it was because I too was in fact ticketed, but not monetarily. I am being charged with a second degree misdemeanor! Let me reiterate, I had a permit for this WMA. I was not hunting illegally. I parked on the side of the road, I wasn't trying to hide either. I just thought this is a little extreme.

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• surfman Posts: 6,017 Admiral

  November 2014 #5

  I think I would fight that or at least look for better clarification, if you can't enter from the road then what road can you enter from? Again, was there a check station what requires you to check in? Most areas if you go to the check station and get your daily permit you can then drive down the road and park on the side of the road (9' off the pavement on state roads I believe) and walk in. If they don't have a check station and the WMA is bordered by a paved highway, how do they distinguish between walking into the woods from a dirt road inside the WMA and a paved road adjacent to the WMA. That doesn't seem right to me either.

  Tight Lines, Steve
  My posts are my opinion only.
  
  Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.  Will Rogers

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• haluckm Posts: 5 Greenhorn

  November 2014 #6

  There is a check station, but was unmanned at the time in the morning I went out. The check station is located at the main entrance of the WMA, I was hunting in an area where you had to leave the main gate area pull onto a public road an travel to another location (approx. 1/4 miles). I pulled off the public Rd, on the grass shoulder and parked. Again, just think it's a little harsh...

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• David B Posts: 1,907 Captain

  December 2014 #7

  Entrance/Exit points for each WMA will be specifically shown on the WMA brochure map. These identifiers are the same as if it were written out in an explanation.
  Yes it seems harsh, but it ensures for accountability of hunters and further reduces damages or wear and tear on fences and the lands.
  I too was ticketed for an unlawful exit from a management unit many years ago. I drove out a road that had a cable gate and the cable was down. I was lost and looking to find my way out. I actually stopped the LEO and asked for directions. The ticket was a non-criminal infraction and cost me $52.00. Lesson learned.

  Increasing MMGW or climate change, one twist off at a time.

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• JoshAaron91685 Posts: 723 Officer

  December 2014 #8

  I'd suggest contacting the regional FWC office and if you aren't satisfied take it to court. This is ridiculous and not the same as exiting the area from a non designated gate once you've entered through a designated gate. That's how poachers get out and yes, its illegal. Checking in(or not if its unmanned or there is no check station) and "exiting" the gate to get to your spot is legal. Many of the wma's have outparcels that aren't even connected to the main WMA and the only way to access them is by checking in and then driving back out and down the road.
  
  It blows my mind when I hear of some of the silly things people get tickets for (many of which are not even a real infraction) considering all the blatantly obvious disregard for the law I see on a regular basis that goes unnoticed.

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• SCFD rtrd. Posts: 1,390 Officer

  January 2015 #9

  You are asking for opinions but you haven't given us all the information. What WMA were you hunting. Have you read the brochure that is posted at the check station? You keep saying you have a permit to hunt this area, but that's not the issue. I have a drivers license, but still have to follow the rules of the road. Need more info.

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