That is an awesome picture

Looks like it. Lost his right to hunt in the US and own firearms and ammunition as well.

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2016/10/25/texas...gets-probation/

We as hunters are gradually slipping into the minority. Our beloved pastime is increasingly under attack from the non-hunting (majority) public. A public that looks at us a blood thirsty barbarians. These people were raised on Disney films that portray hunters as evil and cruel, destroying animal families. They make no distinction between poachers and sportsmen. We're all equally deranged and evil in their minds.

So this sort of thing reflects badly on all of us. Nothing we say or do can separate us from poachers in their minds. Perception is reality, period. So when a "hunter" commits such an act we should all denounce the behavior and support prosecution to fullest extent, lest we give more fodder to the anti's. This young man not only tarnished himself, but each of us, sadly.

We as hunters are gradually slipping into the minority. Our beloved pastime is increasingly under attack from the non-hunting (majority) public. A public that looks at us a blood thirsty barbarians. These people were raised on Disney films that portray hunters as evil and cruel, destroying animal families. They make no distinction between poachers and sportsmen. We're all equally deranged and evil in their minds.

So this sort of thing reflects badly on all of us. Nothing we say or do can separate us from poachers in their minds. Perception is reality, period. So when a "hunter" commits such an act we should all denounce the behavior and support prosecution to fullest extent, lest we give more fodder to the anti's. This young man not only tarnished himself, but each of us, sadly.

In this one it says "A magistrate also ordered the 19-year-old Beaumont man to pay nearly $26,000 in restitution, barred Frederick from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition and prohibited him from hunting or fishing in the U.S. for the next five years."

It doesn't matter. He killed two whooping cranes. He is going to pay the going price. The going price for killing two whooping cranes is high. The going price is not a secret. It has never been a secret.

Moral of this story: be d*** sure what you are shooting at before you shoot it.

+1. A $15,000 fine and 6 mos in Federal prison will make a deep impression on an 18-yr-old. That said, the maximum sentence appears too lenient to me.

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

Agreed

This happened within about 30 miles of where I live. From what I have heard, he shot the cranes from a road on private property with a rifle after he was told they were whooping cranes. The story I got was he and a buddy saw them and he came back later and shot them. Supposedly, this isn't his first run in with game violations. There was no sandhill crane season open when this occurred. I don't know the kid but he has a reputation for this type of thing. I am not of the opinion that they should lock him up forever. However, I do think a little jail time (30 days maybe), loss of all hunting rights, and a very large fine would give him more respect for the law and the animals he enjoys poaching. From all accounts, the shooting of these cranes was not a mistake or an accident.

If it was accidental I agree completely, in other words thought it was a Sandhill etc...

We as hunters are gradually slipping into the minority. Our beloved pastime is increasingly under attack from the non-hunting (majority) public. A public that looks at us a blood thirsty barbarians. These people were raised on Disney films that portray hunters as evil and cruel, destroying animal families. They make no distinction between poachers and sportsmen. We're all equally deranged and evil in their minds.

So this sort of thing reflects badly on all of us. Nothing we say or do can separate us from poachers in their minds. Perception is reality, period. So when a "hunter" commits such an act we should all denounce the behavior and support prosecution to fullest extent, lest we give more fodder to the anti's. This young man not only tarnished himself, but each of us, sadly.

Bingo! I'm really saddened to find so many younger "hunters" (and a few older ones) these days who exude an attitude that manifests itself as "Gotta Shoot Something".