Interesting thread. As I now teach Hunter Ed. I don't dare bend the laws any more.
Never really broke them, but sure did bend 'em.
Regarding game wardens setting up fake deer to catch poachers, just my personal opinion, but it's entrapment and I don't give a damn that some judge says it ain't.
Loaded guns in vehicles. Probably just as many variations in the law on that as there are states. The ones I know about may have changes since I last hunted those states, some almost 30 years ago, but California, nothing in the magazine or chamber. Oregon, as of the last time I was there, ammo in magazine OK, but none in chamber. Washington State, like California, no ammo in gun at all, gun cannot be laoded and in back of vehicle, on the seat of the vehicle, or leaning against the vehicle while you're taking a break for lunch or bathrrom or whatever. FWIW, carrying a flashlight of any kind is prima facie evidence of jacklighting. Cannot use one to go to your stand before daylight or coming out after dark.
Nevada, loaded magazine OK, but none in chamber. Arizona, AFAIK, no restriction. magazine and chamber both can be loaded. In the cases of the other states, it's been anywhere from 36 years since I hunted Kommiefornia and probably 15 years for Oregon and the laws may have changed.
Shooting from the road or from a vehicle is illegal, you can stop the vehicle and once you're clear of the "right of way" of the road, you can legally shoot, although a warden who is a penis can still charge you with road hunting. probably most won't but I know at least two that I work with in Hunter Ed that will arrest even their Great-grandmother for the slightest infraction. Nice guys otherwise, but do not even bend the law with them.
Arizona does not confiscate the hunter's firearm (or archery equipment) at the time of the crime. They do write down the serial number and description of the gun or bow. The judge at the time of the trial decides whether or not confiscation is is order. Conviction is a fine and possible loss of all hunting priviledges for five years. I believe they also notify all other states of the conviction which prevents them from hunting in some other state.
Fines run from $10 for each non-game bird or fish to $750 for each buffalo, elk, bighorn sheep eagle or endangered species.
The game and fish laws are in place for a reason. I would never knowingly break them. Please note the word "knowingly". I have a copy of the Arizona fish and game laws, and it's 106 pages long. The print is so small you almost need a microscope to read them. Mine is several years old now, and I'm quite sure even more laws have been added. Any game warden worth his salt who knows that book inside and out can nail you for something, if he wants to.
Paul B.