I have to agree with Andy on this one. It's the game wardens discretion to make a call on what law "he believes" is being violated. Just getting a citation doesn't mean that you are guilty of the violation. The game warden writes a citation for the "alleged violating" of a rule, or what "he believes" rule you have violated. The courts will allow you the opportunity to either pay the fine or have a hearing contesting the alleged violation.

Think of this way, the fishing laws give you a perfect example under "You may not: Snag or attempt to snag". The Game Officer makes the "attempt" call!

It's quite clear that the game officers are given certain powers of "discretion" on many issues, Almost always, the court will take the word of a trained game officer over the word of the person who was issued the citation, unless he can make a better case then the officer. Just like the law that says you may not "attempt" to snag. Who else but the game officer can make that on the spot call? He makes the call and if you don't like it, you go to court.

Cowlitzfisherman,

Is the taste of the bait worth the sting of the hook????