Yes, I consider killing a protected animal poaching.
Personal feelings aside, it's poaching. I would love to see a wolf hunt re-opened out west. I'd also love to see the guy or gal that shoots wolves illegally go to jail, lose their truck, gun and hunting rights. Odds are if they can justify one species they can justify another.
Would you turn me in if I hated trophy class mule deer and gut shot them because I could? Damn right you would. Poaching is poaching.
Hunting is a privilege, not a right.