Poaching is something that's on the rise in this economy.

I have a friend who was laid off work the same as I, the last time we talked he told me the meat was getting low in his freezer. He grabbed his gun and went to the woods and popped a dear. Even if he had a license it was out of season. Still, he now has a freezer full of meat.

I do not advocate poaching in the least, but I understand it.

Just go get a job and a restaurant -you can eat as much as you like and bring some home for the kids.

Go hunting schoot a few buck-go catch fish -be active.

Buy land- grow your own food -some chickens-maybe a few milk cows.

Life's good don't worry so much/\

An average of 1,100 cattle are reported stolen each year in California, at a loss of $2 million.

In Calif illegals have Fiestas and potentially tainted meats are illegally sold at these backyard gatherings. most is stolen.

Texas investigators recovered more than 5000 stolen cattle last year and that was just the one recovered, It is estimated over 15000 head of cattle go missing each year in Texas.
Year ago when i live in Texas one couple that lived near by had a small herd of about 20 cows and i noticed the every spring most of the cows always had twins.
One day the cops and state brand inspectors dropped in on them.
the DNA of about half the calves did not match the mothers.
This couple had been stealing calves and using there cows to mother them.
and from the rumors they had been doing this for over 15 years.
They had been hitting ranches in another part of the state for 2 to 3 day old calves and putting them in a camper on a pickup to transport them.

Originally posted by SharkBait
Just go get a job and a restaurant -you can eat as much as you like and bring some home for the kids.

I'm sure it works that way in some restaurants, but unfortunately, not the one my husband and I work at. If you get caught taking/eat food without paying for it, you get fired.

But if you were to go to a manager, tell them you're hungry, and/or tell them you're flat broke and don't have money for food, they're not gonna let you go hungry. They'll make sure you eat, but you just have to ask so they can ring the food up and get credit for it. And if we have overcooked or extra food, they would let you take some home if you asked and explained to them your situation. All you have to do is ask, but taking without permission is grounds for dismissal.

As more and more people get laid off and as these economic conditions worsens, I'm sure we are going to see more theft. But it's my hope that instead of people stealing to get their needs met that they would at least propose some kind of exchange. If someone's hungry and wants meat, instead of stealing it from a farmer, why not go to that farmer, explain the situation, and see if perhaps he could do some work around the farm in exchange for food. Maybe the farmer could use a hand or perhaps he knows another farmer nearby who needs help. Many people are charitable and will those in need if they ask. Not all will, but there are a lot of good folks out there.

No way to justify stealing even if things are bad. a difference between humans and other animals is that at least we can talk about it and ask for help. What needs to happen in the US... is boycotting of certain items in a deliberate fashion to readjust the economy to identify the obvious scamming on the shelves. It is getting to the point where people cannot afford to eat... Not from the lack of food available, but simply the cost of the food has increased (supposedly because of diesel cost)... Truely sad times

Originally posted by lellomackin
Isn't this why we want to keep our gun laws in place?

So, that when people steal our things in bad economic times, we can kill them?

No you have it all wrong.

Guns are so the hungry people can kill the people who are hoarding food.

In the old days cattle theft and horse theft was a hangin' offense. In some states that law is STILL on the books. Farmers and ranchers that aren't of the corporate breed are hard pressed to make ends meet and theft of even one cow is going to hurt when your playing with pennies of profit with the way the market is rigged!

Zindo

I own a cattle ranch and honestly can see both sides of the argument.

If someone came to me door and told me they were in need of almost anything a few years ago,I'd have dropped everything to help.
Probably still would and absolutely would if it was someone I know.

HOWEVER,because we are so close to the border,I now need to keep loaded guns at every door "in case" simply because the world is a very different place now.There are those who would kill me simply because...well...they could,and take everything in the bargin.

This has actually happened here in South Texas not far from me...

Sooooooo many nuances to this situation but as someone who has to absorb the RAPIDLY escatating costs of feed,seed,and fuel,I wouldn't be happy at all to see an animal butchered in my pasture.
It's still an expensive "asset" for me and one that someone simply doesn't have the right to take.You just cannot totally justify theft,you need to be aware that they will be consequences if you are caught.

In Texas,if someone is on your property and you feel that you are "in danger" you will NOT be arrested if you protect/defend your land,property,or person.
This is the way it should be as I see it,sorry if this offends.

I realize there are people in need but does that mean that those of us who have worked long and hard should simply "understand???"

Another factor is the potential for predators and disease because of such a thing happening...in the heat,all sorts of nasty things happen yet the predators will come and the younger animals will also then be at risk.
Have you ever had to rush to innoculate an entire herd of sick cows beacuse they ate something "tainted" in 100 degree heat???
I have.

Every year,I have to do "battle" of sorts with those who sport-hunt although I do lease property specifically for this purpose as well: they see an animal,they start shooting whether or not they should half the time.
Causes many problems.

There is a reason we have fences and honestlywould someone in an urban area like it if I jumped their fence and took one of their expensive assets?
I think not.

Rural people in my experiences are the FIRST ones to offer help to someone in need but that kindness shoudl never be mistaken for weakness.

Just say "May I?" and you will be pleasantly suprised,promise!

"Need" is no replacement for common human decency.

The electric company will report "excessive" power usage to the police. If you order grow lights online or pay for it with a check, that purchase is tied to your identity and it is assumed that it is for the purpose of growing pot.

He needs to press the issue of getting his stuff back. Maybe he could file a "conversion of property" civil suit against the police department. If no charges were filed, he needs to get his stuff back.

I can believe crime rates rising, but killing/stealing cattle is not new.

5-6 years ago, my friend owned a farm and people would come and kill cattle and steal them. They are food, they are commodities, they can be sold for money

Whether its food or just "stuff", I just don't understand the concept of stealing; especially stealing from another person. Outside of cases of drug addiction, where do people get the notion that it is just OK to take something from someone else instead of earning or working for it?

Did they not at any time in their lives ever have any self respect?

I just don't get it.

I'm calling exaggeration and possible misinformation on this story, it's quite complex to field dress a cow, and you showed no proof of it not having simply died and have been eaten on by buzzards and other wild animals.