Hi jmen24...I'm not sure my response was directly at your post as there were several posts that were very negative on F&G and insinuated that they do nothing but harass kids. If you posted something different then this then you and I are on the same side of the argument.
I am aware that irresponsible hikers do get billed IF F&G can prove they acted recklessly. I think it would be naive to assume that they are successful in these billing practice even "most of the time". For S&R operations where negligence is not an issue, F&G foots the entire bill and yes a portion of that does come from our fishing (and other F&G sponsored) licenses (which to me is just wrong).
I didn't want to wag my finger at anyone in particular but did want to emphasize my support of our COs and specify that we are all responsible for our actions and that includes being fined for breaking the law whether we know the law or not (knowning the law is our responsibility the moment we touch a fishing rod). Not being a frequent fisherman is no excuse. Why should someone who only fishes a few times a year be exempt from the laws the rest of us follow?
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