Officials baiting endangered wildlife or not abating crime against wildlife- the problem is not economics but a sheer lack of commitment.

Anyone caught poaching, wherever, should lose their hunting privledges forever. For the good of the wildlife and for the rest of our hunting privledges.

I will probably be flamed by my following comment, however it should be stated.
Firstly, and this is subjective, I do not consider baiting to be poaching. Baiting is a relative crime meaning it is a crime only in a state that prohibits baiting of deer. In my state one can put out corn, corncobs, apples, persimmons, or anything (except a salt/mineral block) and shoot deer over them. It is unlawful to bait practically any other animal.
Secondly, I consider the term poaching is more appropriate for shooting anything (not just deer) out of season, shooting anything at night (except raccoons which is a traditional nightime hunt), and shooting on land where one has no permission to be.
I do believe Mr. Popowski should be held to a higher standard since he did work for the Vermont Dept. of Fish and Game and baiting is against the law in Vermont. I would not however label him a poacher.
The whole baiting issue is contradictory at best. You can't put anything out to attract deer in states where baiting is illegal, however one can sit in an apple orchard and shoot deer coming for apples anytime. One can sit on the edge of a just picked cornfield and legally shoot deer eating the leftover corn because it is considered agricultural. One can plant corn in an impoundment, not pick the corn and flood the impoundment and legally shoot ducks that come in to feed (in my state, not sure about others). How about shooting ducks and geese in a picked cornfield with bits of corn left over from the combine. That too is legal.
The point I'm trying to make here is not to stir up a controversy, but simply to show the fine line between baiting and legal accepted hunting practices.
Yes Mr. Popowski is probably guilty of breaking the game law in Vermont, but I would hesitate to call him a poacher.

This is too bad. What makes people think they are above the law.

I have a buddy who takes over his amount and doesn't report the deer. What hypocrits these people are. He doesn't think twice about going out, shooting too many young deer and then wondering why there's big boys around. Does anyone else have buddies who do this?

how long was he doing it before he got caught,the bastard ought to have his privelidges revoked forever.he used to be the enforcer!!!it just makes me sick people like this and double standards.And Wes you ought to whack your buddy in the jaw.

Thanks for the response guys. I'm sure the topic will come up between me and him sometime.

John R: Agree with you; Here in NC you can bait all you please. As you stated, sitting in a Apple Orchard waiting till near dark for the deer to come out is no different than putting out Corn,Apples etc.To me Poaching is taking game out of season, at night, others property, no licenes, trophy game (Sampson LAw). Will agree that a x law enforcer should know the laws in his state.If the Game Wardens realy want to catch illegal killing of game, then go West and check out the Outfitters who make extra bucks allowing you to kill what moves anywhere, anytime.I was in the Rockies some years back, had filled my tags, Deer and Lopes and had a few days left.Outfitter wanted to know if a Trophy Elk was on my list @500.00 extra? Sure was on my list, but not after I got out of jail. We got w-tails running out our ears, and allowed to kill 6 per year. ^6 is enough for me, fills my freezer and gives me many hunt days (about 6 weeks total). Sometimes it's difficult to not shot that extra animal after you have filld your tag with a so-so animal, then a Real Trophy Giant steps out at 75 yds. Takes will power to leave safety on. I did not draw for the Rockies this year, but a outfitter (so he said) called me and wanted to let me know he could get me tags for a extra few hundred.Cost enough legal, sure not going to pay a huge fine just to go West, plus THAT IS POACHING in my book. Will try again another year hopefully.

Just nod and grin till the crazy man goes away.

Whitetail hunting and management are not a philosophical fit for anarchism. Try another board.

Tim
If you read my comments, I stated "and shooting on land where one has no permission to be."
Definition of a poacher from Winkpedia:
Poaching is the illegal hunting, fishing or harvesting of wild plants or animals. It may be illegal because:

The game or fish is not in season, usually the breeding season is declared as the closed season when wildlife species are protected by law.
The poacher does not possess a license.
The poacher is illegally selling the animal or animal parts or plant for a profit.
The animal is being hunted outside of legal hours.
The hunter used an illegal weapon for that animal.
The animal or plant is on restricted land.
The right to hunt this animal is claimed by somebody.
The means used are illegal (for example, baiting a field while hunting quail, using spotlights to stun or paralyze deer, or hunting from a moving vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft).
The animal or plant is protected by law or that it has been listed as extinct or an endangered (see for example the Endangered Species Act for the USA)
The animal or plant has been tagged by a researcher
It is currently estimated that the illegal wildlife trade is worth 10 billion US dollars.[citation needed]

Note that only wild animals can be poached. Stealing or killing domestic animals is considered to be theft ("cattle rustling"), not poaching.
I agree that one must abide by the laws of the state in which one plans to hunt or fish.
I stand by my opinion however on the issue of baiting. It is a hypocritical double standard and all the states need to get their act together and resolve the issue. If no baiting is decided then no hunting in apple orchards, or adjacent to cornfields with any remaining grain on the ground et cetera.
BTW I did agree that Mr. Popowski was guilty of breaking the game law; it was and still is my opinion however that he does not deserve to be branded a poacher despite the fact that he may meet the technical definition of one.

here is the question what should be considered baiting. according to http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/baiting

bait 1 Audio Help (bāt) Pronunciation Key
n.

Food or other lure placed on a hook or in a trap and used in the taking of fish, birds, or other animals.
Something, such as a worm, used for this purpose.
An enticement; a temptation.
Archaic A stop for food or rest during a trip.

v. bait·ed, bait·ing, baits

v. tr.

To place a lure in (a trap) or on (a fishing hook).
To entice, especially by trickery or strategy.
To set dogs upon (a chained animal, for example) for sport.
To attack or torment, especially with persistent insults, criticism, or ridicule.
To tease.
To feed (an animal), especially on a journey.

so otherwise that means those turkey calls we all love to use on those spring days-BAITING

those rattling antlers every hunter loves to clap together and make as much noise in a short amount of time(even if it is to drive the family crazy)- BAITING

that rainbow trout rooster tail you love to toss to catch whatever will eat it.-BAITING

those sweet(cringe) smelling doe estrus, buck urine, fox pee,and what other scents you have for hunting.- BAITING

if i need to go on i will but the fact of the matter is look at what you do when you hunt and fish. if you have a problem with baiting then i suggest you find another hobbie(may i suggest gardening i know deer here in maryland love zuchini and lettuce. thank you for planting them) rather than biquiering amongest ourselves for those how about we stand besides eachother and redefine a lot of these dumb laws because if any of ya'll read the article miss winters got cited for shooting a shotgun that was capable of shooting more than 3 slugs in a single load. in my humble opinion i think these laws laws need to be worked out and they most likely came from some stupid persons causing guff about something that had happened between 2 parties. but anyways i will leave it at that for now hopefully all of the field and stream subscribers will see my point if not i hate to say it but think your subscription carefully(cause i am willing to bet about 90% of all subscibers hunt and fish and if you fish you should have no problem with this topic and you can see what is wrong here) because i have no problem saying that i am a baiter. god bless america and happy hunting trails, and tight lines to all.

Buckshot is not legal in the state of Oklahoma why is that ?