Here's the defintion of "take"...

��Take�� means pursuing, shooting, hunting, fishing,
trapping, killing, capturing, snaring or netting
wildlife or the placing or using of any net or other
device or trap in a manner that may result in the
capturing or killing of wildlife.

...and it's a lousy one too!

But the kicker is...

It's the great State of Arizona's definition!!!

ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS AND AUTHORITY (for Arizona)

Hey! Check this one out too...

To take�means to pursue, shoot, hunt, kill, capture, trap, snare or net wildlife and game�and all lesser acts that disturb or worry wildlife�or to place or use any net or other device commonly used to take wildlife.

...it's from New York!

New York hunting regs webpage

Hmmm, maybe Alaska is not so bad after all???

How about this for a twist on the issue. Let's say you're fishing for salmon, in an area where you are allowed a limit of 3 fish. Let's also assume that the mortality rate for catch and release is 20% (let's not argue the percentage rate, it just makes the math easy).

So, say you catch 33 fish, keep the three for your limit, and release the other 30. Well, assuming our mortality rate for the easy math, you've killed 6 fish in addition to the three you've kept, so in reality, you've removed 9 fish from the hatchery, but 2/3rds were left to flounder and die.

BTW, I'm not paticularly fond of catch and release, I'm more of a catch and fillet kinda guy

BW, at least AZ and NY left out the "attempting to..." part.

Paul, if I recall correctly the fishing regs are much better in defining the taking of fish. Might just have to look it up again before I head out just to be sure.

Post deleted by Steelhead

Rob,

True, but they use the word "pursue" which in my opinion is just about the same as "attempt." A hunter may go afield and attempt to shoot a deer, or pursue a deer, yet never even see one.

I just wonder how many New Yorkers punched their tag because they "worried" a deer.

steelhead,

Easy big fella...