I messed up BAD today

[D.D.E.]

many yrs ago we started to clean our fish and found we were 2 over on walleye. 2 of us wanted to throw them away but the other 2 said that would be a waste, so we kept them. we started cleaning fish and a car pulled up and it was a odnr person. he counted our fish and politely told us we was 2 over the limit. one guy started to get smart with the dnr guy. the rest of us told him to shut up, we were in the wrong. the dnr told us 1 of us would have to go with him and put up a cash bond. and said he knew it was a small infraction but it was an infraction. the capt of our boat said he would go with the officer. he had to pay 15.00 per fish and a 28.00 court cost cash bond. he said we didn't have to show up for court and the cash bond would pay our fine. he then said he was supposed to take all the fish for evidence, but that we had been so good about the whole deal he was just going to take the 2 fish that we was over. we split the 58.00 fine between the 4 of us. so that mistake cost us 14.50 each.

the guy that started getting smart with the officer wanted to show up for court and fight it. he said they didn't have any evidence. and that the officer probably ate the 2 fish he took from us. but we said that was stupid. it would cost more to make the trip up there than the price of the fine. and besides we were the ones in the wrong. the officer treated us with the utmost respect at all times. and we did the same to him.

I wasn't upset with the officer in the least, we made a mistake and obviously didn't click the counter 3 times. I have always in the past counted when we thought we were close. This time we didn't. accidental mistakes don't matter, 30 is 30.
The D.N.R. works for all of us so we have resources for the future. I like that.
This was the 4th time I got checked this year.
Dennis
P.S. If anyone feels sorry for me, send money