The Art of Hunting

So, I was bored tonight and decided to read up on Foiles and what's been happening in his world.  He's in trouble here and in Canada.  He plead not guilty to 23 counts months ago and then changed his plea to guilty.  He received two misdemeanor counts for his actions and, I believe, still faces charges in Canada.  Here in the US he has a $100,000 fine, 1 year of supervision and 2 years of no hunting or guiding.  He's pretty lucky there.  A household name in waterfowling has now become a punch-line around the water cooler and in ditches across North America due to a lapse in judgment.
There were USFWS agents hunting with him on the hunts in question. Not only did they witness the over-the-limit days, he put some of those days on tape.  There is a story of a camera man turning off the camera being upset about the amounts, and Foiles yelling at him to keep going.  They also found out about some banded local park geese he lured with bread crumbs to shoot with a pellet gun to retrieve the bands.  A guy hears stories and never really believes them, until now.  The bands are cool and a statement of success, but you can buy them on EBay.
When does it happen?  When you do cross the line?  All of us at one time or another have been faced with challenges in the field or in the ditch.  "The Day" happens and you don't want to stop, the perfect field has had permission granted and you want to keep shooting, or perhaps pull the trigger just a few minutes past shooting time 'cause you're covered in feeding waterfowl.  Yes, we've all been there, and perhaps a few have "done that".  When it's all said and done, you can't feel good about illegally taking waterfowl.  Whether it's too many, too early or too late.  If you're in it for the killin' try the Spring Conservation Season and have at it.  Just don't ask us how we do it, we've shot two geese in 3 years. 
Jeff has built such a waterfowl empire and is one of the lucky one's who has made his passion his job.  With so much on the line, you think he would've realized how lucky he is.  There are millions of waterfowlers all wanting to do what he does, who spend thousands of hours and dollars in hopes of a day or two or maybe a week, who waste productive days at work dreaming, and who can't get enough.  It's not about the numbers or trophies, it's about having a place to go, being with friends and scarfing down a ridiculously high in cholesterol meal or two.
If you're reading this blog you're not Foiles, Mann, or Grounds.  You probably don't make calls, decoys, or clothing.  When you're out there, remember why you are there and who could be watching!  That's all for now, check back for the latest and greatest.