How do you handle game warden etiquette? What are the proper actions to take upon being stopped?
Just wondering how others do it. I have never had a problem, but apparently so people do. Opinions?
did you have an incident? I've been stopped and checked out in the past. The guy is doing his job, if im doing nothing wrong then i see no problem.... unless they are rude or otherwise discourteous. But i've never had any negative experiences with them.
They are law enforcement. I treat them with respect. I've never had a problem.
QuoteOriginally posted by Roadkill:
How do you handle game warden etiquette? What are the proper actions to take upon being stopped?
Just wondering how others do it. I have never had a problem, but apparently so people do. Opinions?
Just be polite and cooperative and there should not be any issues.
I've never been approached by a wild life officer, but if they are anything like on wild Alaska our wherever that show is, most likely they will approach you quietly and respectfully. keep in mind, they are outdoors men, most likely Hunters, so they will try not to ruin your hunt and make sure you're obeying the laws. As long as you've got your hunting license and ID and obeying the laws you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
QuoteOriginally posted by rastaman:
They are law enforcement. I treat them with respect. I've never had a problem.
x2
Get checked a bunch hunting ducks around here. Glad to see them around sometimes hunting icey waters.
They are just folks like everyone else. The fact that they are enforcing laws and many of the folks they contact are armed sometimes means they come off a bit cautious or suspicious at first.
I've interacted with many and never had an issue. Of course since they are just folks like everyone else, that means there's bound to be a jerk now and then, one that is having a bad day, or has some reason to be suspicious due to stuff you don't know. If your respectful and truthful it should be fine.
They can be a great source of information and a good friend to make.
They deal with the public and violations so keep in mind they deal with a their share of jerks.
Here in Michigan you must inform them if you are a concealed weapons permit holder. After that, I just answer any questions they may have. When they want to see a license, I inform them where it is on my person, and use slow controlled movements to obtain it for them. Remember, they are generally dealing with an armed person, in a secluded place. I show respect to them, and have always been shown respect in return.
Hope that helps,
Ray
QuoteOriginally posted by Sixgun:
Here in Michigan you must inform them if you are a concealed weapons permit holder. After that, I just answer any questions they may have. When they want to see a license, I inform them where it is on my person, and use slow controlled movements to obtain it for them. Remember, they are generally dealing with an armed person, in a secluded place. I show respect to them, and have always been shown respect in return.
Hope that helps,
Ray
This....and I have never had a negative experience with
one.
Got checked out in Colorado last year when I was Elk hunting. The officer was a nice young lady from Steamboat Springs. She was very helpful with my questions and very professional. Really nice to talk to.......Some of ones here in New York...not so much.
My father-in-law was a Game Warden for 30 years. I was glad when he retired. We just had one murdered here in PA a couple years ago on duty. The killer got the death penalty. I used to patrol a little bit. Amazing how rude and ignorant people are. But I shouldnt be surprised. I see it in the car business every day.
I have dealt with both kinds, ones that were nice as can be and others that seem to want to find any violation now matter how small.
If they are suspicious and on edge I tend to be as well. If they talk to you like one of the guys then it puts me at ease and I don't mind it so much.
I met a federal one a few weekends ago, very personable and professional. But we had some state boys show up at camp a few years back (someone left the gate open and they let themselves in even though it was private posted property) and you could tell they were really wanting to find something. But our group is law abiding and they seen that there were no violations.
Like you say some are ok others may be having a bad day. I am glad we have them though. I remember how bad things were 30-40 years ago. They have done a good job are getting the poachers under control.
I've been stopped three times. Always pleasant, always polite - from both sides. They are just doing their jobs.
I used to shoot flintlocks with two friends - one a NY and one a PA game warden. Both great guys.
Been checked a few times. No negative experiences. If your obeying the law most of the time you won't have trouble. Like it has been said before they are people too and people can be jerks. Polite and truthful always seems to work well.
Treat just as any law enforcement stop with respect for their authority. When I was a teenager, we had a warden that you never knew what you would get. Easy going or all over you. Respect for the position of authority goes along ways. Follow the game laws and be aware of changes, so you dont have any issues. I dont agree with all of the game laws, but I follow them. Hunt legal.
As above. . be courteous. Ask them what they want you to do with your gun / bow / weapon while they are talking with you.
I have not yet had a bad experience with one. He / she is not out there to get you, but just make sure we are all observing and following the rules.
You can also get a lot of good information from such an encounter, if you come across well. They are people too. Be a jerk to them and they can be jerks right back. The three folks before you may well have been jerks and now you get the chance to experience, then change his mood.
ChuckC
I treat them the same way I do an officer that stops me for speeding-with total respect. They have a tough job and you never know who is going to get violent when you approach them. Got stopped once when I was on my back to the ramp before daylight-I had forgotten my license and duck stamp. They let me go, no problems.
My buddy and I got stopped by the local game warden one winter, I think I must have been about 9 or 10. His mom had dropped us off at his grandpa's farm and we were harassing the local wildlife with our Daisy Red Ryder's.
The deer were yarded up that winter, and we were following them around. Someone must have thought we were poachers, because the local law enforcement and game wardens surrounded the woods we were in and sent in the warden after us.
When we saw the game warden we knew that we were in some deep doo, and started heading his way. The look on his face when he saw our BB guns was priceless. He had to have been wondering what a couple of little farts like us were doing out there by ourselves! He offered us a ride home, but we were so shaken up that we decided to walk home through the snow.
To this day I can hardly go near my home town without someone mentioning it, and that was about 35 years ago.
Anyway, since then I've always been pretty respectful of game wardens, and am glad that there are men out there willing to do the job.
I was on another site and tangled with a guy who raved about wardens. Got hung up with wardens in more than one state. Odd. I have hunted many places in the US, been stopped routinely and never had a problem. I am polite, show necessary documentation and that has always sufficed.
I took up the wardens cause. But some how got sideways with this fellow trad archer as he appeared to have a case of the ... For wardens.
I guess most here relate the same way I always have.
I have dealt with all types. I have to say the biggest jerks of them all were while I was fishing. One day a guy had checked my license 3 times on 3 different occasions. I honestly think he didnt recognize me each time.
One time one wrote me a ticket and I hadnt even been fising yet. my license was sitting on the front seat of my truck but he didnt want to see it. Then the jerk didnt even show up to court.
I had one who showed up very suspicious and accusative but he turned his attitude after he couldnt find anything wrong. I later found that he made some pretty impressive busts in that county.
The other 10 or 15 encounters were great and usually involed a nice chat.
Always treat them with respect and most of the time you will receive thee same.
I've been stopped a bunch. When rabbit hunting we saw him far off and as he watched we unloaded our guns and approached him. No issues. It is easier for him if he knows you are not carrying a loaded weapon. I've been checked many times at my truck or pulling out of my parking spot. The easiest thing is not be snotty. As I know three wardens, we talk often about issues.
Its easier on all if there is mutual respect and no one is trying to be shady. I did have to school one warden that thought small game licenses expired on 1 Jan. He didn't know it went to the end of the season.
In the 80's we could spotlight in Michigan without weapons, just shine fields and see what was out there. I was stopped a couple of times and they searched the vehicle with consent. No issues.
Bottom line is be in the right and don't try to act as the check is an inconvenience. Hopefully a check will catch poachers and those not so ethical.
I have only been checked while fishing and gun hunting for squirrels years ago but many times. I always placed my gun on the ground and stepped away from it to keep him from getting nervous. They seemed to appreciate it. The situation got Much more relaxed for everyone after that.
Never had an issue, but I've always been on the good side of it. Had a friend that was bird hunting with a group of us, and unbeknownst to us, had no license. Wardens rolled in for a routine check and he bolted.....from a warden that routinely ran marathons! How do you think that turned out? You know what though, the guy admitted his fault, apologized, was courteous and the warden actually worked with him to get his weapon back and hunting privileges reinstated. Most of them are ok guys, doing a good thing. Follow the rules and I couldn't imagine having an issue.
Key to it is IMHO, know the laws, follow the laws and be courteous and cooperative. If you have a beef with whats happening or has happened to you, there are proper channels to get attention for it. If you think your being mistreated, remember the details and take it up the ladder.
Most I've talked with are impressed with the use of traditional equipment, and they ask more questions about that than the normal inquiries.
Just my opinion.
Tim
While most wildlife officers receive more training and have more authority than other law enforcement people in their states, they are usually far more customer service oriented. They realize the vast majority of their stops will involve people who are innocent of any wrong doing and voluntarily pay for wildlife conservation through license fees rather than mandatory taxation.
In KY for instance before I retired, our officers checked about 150,000 people per year (mostly anglers). Only 13% of these people ended up getting a citation.
Many of these officers are hunters and anglers just like us. They are trying to make sure people are safe and that the wildlife resource is used wisely (definition of Conservation is wise use). They desire to prevent bad acts and actors damaging the image of hunting among the non-hunting public. They enforce laws that seek to distribute game to larger number of people.
I've been checked in Colorado, Wyoming, Ontario, Indiana, and Kentucky. Treat these folks with respect and like fellow sportsmen and women who are hoping you have a safe and successful hunt.
1st Peter 2:13-14
New International Version (NIV)
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right
I'm always glad to see them.
I don't break the laws (intentionally, at least)and know how important it is to have them on the job.
Once when being checked, one of the officers noted an infraction that I was making(unintentionally)and was accepting of my response and very polite.
I met a local Conservation Officer a while ago on another matter. I was impressed with him, got his card and have called him on several occasions about our land and trespassers. Always helpful and ready to come visit.
We need these guys and gals on the job.
When I lived in Ohio, I fished the Maummee River for Walleye when they were spawning. The bank would be lined up with people shoulder to shoulder. In all of those people there were always a few undercover Game Wardens tucked in waiting to ticket people for keeping Illegally caught fish. Sometimes they would hide on the opposite side of the bank and watch people through spotting scopes. I seen alot of people get ticketed for keeping snagged Walleye.
I am new to this site and I can not express how great it is to see so many people gathered in one spot with such great attitudes. As you can tell from my screen name this issue is very close to me. I must say I have to best job in the world and enjoy working around great people most of the time. I strive to be a guy that is respected because he is respectable. Once again I appreciat all the positve comments about my line of work. For those that have had negative experiences I am sorry to hear it, just try to understand that there are bad apples out there, but the vast majority of wildlife officers out there are good ole country boys trying to make a living doing somehting they love.
Some of the favorite stories (and hilarious) are those involving soft-undercover operations where the officer mixed among the public. I remember one on Trail Creek near LaPorte, IN that had a snagger hand him his rod while he unsnagged the fish.
I remember officers in Kansas getting a kick out of guys talking about having passed up roadside shots at "Robo-Deer" that day. The officers knew that this dumby deer hadn't even been set up in the county -- nice deterrent technique!
Most of my family & friends are in law enforcement so I just treat any C.O. or law enforcement person like a person. It always cracks me up when someone says "be careful, they're a cop", even off duty or when the person has no reason to be concerned.
That being said, back in the mid 80s I had a C.O. track me to my tree in the snow to check my license, 30 minutes before dark! At that point we still wore back tags. I turned and showed it to him when he was in the distance, but he kept coming. I was cordial, but then asked why he had to track me in during prime time. There weren't others hunting even close to me so he could have waited at my truck. He seemed unconcerned. As someone mentioned, there are knuckleheads in every profession.
D.P.
QuoteOriginally posted by rastaman:
They are law enforcement. I treat them with respect. I've never had a problem.
X3!
A fellow TG'r was stopped by former Pittsburgh Steeler linebacker turned Conservation Officer Jack Lambert a few years ago on a trip to PA. Great story to say the least but he was treated with the UTMOST respect.
treat them like any other law enforcement officer....I listen, I respond...if I am carrying concealed I show them my permit.
While at a large javelina hunt in Texas a few years ago I was stopped and checked by game wardens. Two of them had a road side stop set up on the ranch and were stopping everyone. One was polite and professional, the other was not so polite, he seemed hard headed and stubborn. I was very respectful of both of them, co-operated fully. They gave me and my buddy tickets for not having an archery tag. We both believed we did not need one. They gave over a couple of dozen tickets that evening to to other hunters. I thought at the time that the one officer did not really want to give me the ticket but he was following the direction of the other officer. We looked it up the regulation in the Texas book when we got back to camp and it was clear no archery tag was required. But.....the next day we were notified by these officers that the tickets were given in error, an archery tag was not required. I never understood how they could not know their own rules or laws. Everyone can make a mistake but this one seemed so simple it should not have been made.
Treat them the way you want to be treated.
Being a retired LEO I got sick and tired of the way some people acted and spoke to me so I acted accordingly. For the most part issuing tickets can be discretionary.
There is another retired LEO that hunts out of my camp. We have informed our local CO's that we will be their back up if needed. If you have done nothing wrong then you have nothing to worry about.
A short story. I stopped a guy who ran a stop sign at a 4 way stop that I was stopped at in a marked unit. As I walked up he reached out of the car window with his paper work. I asked if he knew what he had done wrong and he responded by saying,"Yup, I was driving with my head up my ass". I went back and ran him on LEIN to make sure there were no warrants on him and then walked up, gave his paperwork back to him and told him to have a nice day. He got out of the car and asked me if I was going to give him a ticket and I told him NO that he knew what he had done.
If he would have asked me why I stopped him, he would have gotten a ticket.
If an officer is on a mission to write tickets there is not much you can do about it. Get nasty and you will get every ticket possible.
Same experience as most. The majority of encounters have gone well but there have been a couple who just tried to bully and intimidate but those have definitely been in the majority.
One correction though. Someone said that Wardens have more authority than other law enforcement officers. That is not accurate. They have the same authority. The focus on different laws but still must have probably cause and RAS. They cannot step on your rights as many seem to think.Here in Michigan out CO's go through the same recruit school as our state police.
If you are not doing anything wrong or illegal, there should be no problem.....
Shouldn't be a problem, I've been stopped or"checked" in the past
and have been treated with respect. My hats off to them by and large they have one thankless tough job!!
Game Wardens help to keep the jerks home.
Game wardens are police, and you act and treat like you would a regular police officer. I have not had any problems with them and as long as you don't act offended that your being checked then you won't have an issue. common sense and politness.
For the most part all of my run ins have been uneventfull. Most are good guys. Theres a small majority that are real jerks tho. There was 1 time I was ice fishing a large reservoir in Wayne Co Pa. I fished til dark and had a good day. I had a mixed pail full of crappies,perch,bluegills and a few bass. I stumbled up a steep rise off the lake into the parking lot. It was pitch dark and when I crested the hill headlights blasted me in the face and a man jumped from his truck yelling fish commision, like you see on tv for a drug bust or something. He grabbed my pail of fish dumped it in the snow,took a tape to the bass and was disapointed to find they were all legal size,(i had to pick em all up) he checked my license and id, all were fine, he couldnt find a violation, so after a few minutes he said to me ya know i was watching you thru binos the whole time you were fishing and it was a full 10 minutes after dusk that you made any attemp to maintain your tipups they were therefore out of your control and heres your ticket. I think he was way out of line. I could see them all perfectly and none were more than 50 ft from the pail i sat jigging on. I think he was out of line and just trying to cause trouble. Ive got a game commision story as well but maybe later i typed enough here already
I've been checked a lot while fishing and never had a problem. Treat them with respect and don't do anything wrong and there is no problem. I haven't run into one that was a jerk yet, all have been good guys.
Each state will differ....here in Texas a Game Warden has much more latitude in search and seizure than other officers...this is why task forces take Game Wardens with them every time...
I agree they have a tough job, and I support them....we have to. I just wish they could put down the mirror sunglasses and cowboy hats, and quit playing with their stupid gunbelts while proclaiming..."STATE GAME WARDEN"....we can all tell by their uniforms and trucks.
There are great ones....and then there are guys like the one I just mentioned above....
I hunted out of state once with a friend, in Arkansas. Opening day we were leaving my truck and moving into the woods when we were stopped by an Arkansas warden...nicest guy ever. Polite...he checked us out and we were good to go cause we follow the rules. He then asked where we intended to hunt, and offered us information about good/better spots. Then he wished us luck and left WITHOUT slamming doors or loud radios or any of that.
We need more like him. I'm done with the glasses/cowboy hat/gunbelt guy.
Hopefully there are State people on here who understand the balance between officer safety and pissing off the next generation of hunters and anglers.........
Follow the law. Everything else is simply common courtesy. Wardens have a tough job. And all of us have bad days.
Joshua
I never had a problem with them. Respect goes a long way and if hunting with a firearm I immediately empty the gun and show them its empty to take the stress out of the conversation. I have never met a game warden that wasnt anything but professional.
Adam
I'm glad they're out there doing their jobs, both as a hunter and a landowner. I've never had an unpleasant encounter with one, and don't expect to.
I offered that SOME Conservation officers have more authority than others and that is TRUE, depending upon what state you are in. Maybe not in Michigan?
I won't name the state, I've worked in four, but some of our officers were reprimanded if they were the "throw em on the hood type". Sure some fellows deserve a ticket, and more. Most of the time though inform and educate is the discretion many CO's will follow.
By the way, I treat the airline gate attendants with great respect too, especially if I need some help with their mistake. I've seen folks get nasty with these folks and get no satisfaction. I've come up next and received free tickets, alternate flights, etc. Lots of discretion for a lot of people if you treat them right.
My hat is off to anyone in this line of work. Gotta be tough to know that everyone you approach has to be considered armed and dangerous. That is what I call "living on the edge".
Postive comments:
1. Treat with respect, how you want to be treated.
2. If breaking a law knowingly or Not accept ticket with respect. You will get your day in court to make your point. (I deserved every speeding ticket I got).
3. These folks have a tough job and help regulate the law breakers. Hats off. Treat them like the "service men/women" they are protecting your.........
Negative:
1. I would not be a big fan of a Warden tracking me to a stand to ask for a license. Plenty of opportunity at the vehicle or on roads(Common sense just asking for trouble in my opimion). I would have to write a ticket/note to Game Warden for ruining hunt($100 a day). Might not get money but.....
2. Bad attitudes/disrespect(although a minority)come from both the public and law enforcement. It usually catches up to them in their lifetime.
Hard to hide bad behavior, a price is usually paid.
Bottom line: Say thank you at the end of your experience with law enforcement
:)
I hunt some heavily used public land. I'm happy to see them. I never had follow me to my stand or walk up on me while on stand. I think they don't want to ruin my hunt. I have however had them meet me on the way out, in the parking lot, etc... I treat them with respect, yes sir, no sir and so on. I'm not doing anything wrong and have nothing to hide. I've also benefited from them when I witnessed a poacher one season.
Now that I hunt with my 12 year old son I know he's watching me and I want him to see the badge commands respect. I also want him to see there's no fear if you're doing nothing wrong.
"Do unto others as you would have done unto you."
-Jeremy :coffee:
More often then not if a warden is acting like a jerk , he is probably reacting to a jerk.
Never had a problem and I have talked to a few,, Often they are a great resource as to what is going on and where if you take the time to visit with them.
All the comments from everyone are very heartwarming. This place impresses me more and more. :clapper:
I took a hunter safety class when I was 11 years old and the Game Warden who taught it also took some time after the class to talk with me about the job he loved so much. By the end of the class I had made up my mind that I wanted to be just like him. From that day, he and many others in the same uniform became my role models.
Fast forward 45 years....because of the passion he instilled in me, I went to college, studied hard, received my degree, and lucky enough to become a game warden. I am fortunate in that I have lived my dream for many, many years. During the 25 years I was in the field I met thousands of warm, kind, friendly hunters and anglers.
Unfortunately I was also shot at twice, cursed at, spat on and treated by some with very little respect...but I never let those bad experiences become the foundation of my next contact.
The majority of game wardens have never forgotten their roots; nor that sportsmen contribute to conservation and pay their wages. This post is not about me...but about all of you guys who bought licenses, value the role of conservation...and continue to support the things we love most. I was only able to do what I did because of you all - Thank You!!
The downside to being a Game Warden? Don't become one if you think you're going to hunt and fish a lot.
For the amount of money I spent on my lifetime combination license, I'd LOVE to have a visit with the game warden. I'm 35 years old, have had my license since I was 15, and the only time Ive ever been checked was out of state. I dont think Oklahoma even has any! Where they is?
One spring I saw some guys running gill nets across a creek and were loading up a 50 gallon drum in their boat with sandbass and crappie. I called every game warden in my area. Left voicemails cause nobody answered. Even had vehicle tag and the boat tag numbers. Nobody called me back.
If bigfoot and a game warden approached me while I was in the woods, the sighting of a game warden would shock me more.
I have been checked a few times, and never received a citation. Most were courteous. As with any law officer, my basic responses are "yes, sir" or "no, sir". Keep it polite and they tend to be polite also. Sure, you may come across a jerk now and then, but even then, calmess any politeness is the best way. Plus, you may get some good tips on hot hunting spots if you engage them in a friendly manner.
Keep your hands visible at all times. Keep your distance. Keep movement to a minimum. Do only what they tell you to do, in a few short minutes all will relax. The visit will have been productive to both parties. Look at it as an opportunity to show law enforcement there are really good people out there. Blessings.
I have never had any issues in 35 years bowhunting. I am really glad those guys are doing their job and I wish there were a lot more of them. I have ridden with some of the local Wardens on patrol and they deal with some real jerks and hardened criminals.
The only times I have seen Wardens get an attidude was when they were dealing with someone who had an attitude.
Here in Texas they can enter land at will and I am ok with that. In fact, I gave the local guys keys to all my gates.
Never had trouble with Game Wardens in New York or in Michigan. In fact, the last time I talked to one in Michigan, I had found a lost beagle while out bowhunting and I talked him out of part of his lunch for the beagle. The owner was coming but the dog had been lost for three days and was really hungry. THe Warden even offered to wait for the owner so that I could get out Bowhunting.
Best fishing spots I've given away and received have been from Game Wardens...Treat with respect and you get it back.
they dont bother me, If your not doing anything wrong,you have nothing to worrie about.I like talking to them.BUT nothing makes me madder, when right out of the gate they start being a jerk,trying to intimadate you in order to get a rise out of you.Iam always nice to them but if they come off as a jerk I show them what they want to see an get on my way.I had one game officer check my fishing licensee (5)times in a six hours I had enought of him an started raiseing hell with him.an told him to backoff an leave me alone.I was fishing a pond in the middle of nowhere.I thought I was on a hidden camra show I could not belive he kept coming back.
I respect and appreciate the role of Game Wardens and Conservation Officers. I respect both the agency and the individual. That being said, I know where the general rub is and I understand it.
The fact that Game Wardens and Conservation officers have more lattitude with search and seizure and access on private lands is what generally causes conflict or resentment from outdoorsmen and the general public. As citizens we all sacrifice personal liberties for the greater good every day. It is a choice we make to be a member of society. However, it has always struck me as wrong that we sacrifice additional personal liberties when we are participating in outdoor recreation.
Being an outdoorsman is something that I am extremely proud of and I am as rule conscious and law abiding as I can possibly be in my hunting and fishing endeavors. I have absolutely no problem showing my license to anyone who asks to check it. However, it chaps my hide to open coolers, totes, trunks, etc. for any game warden who gets the urge to check those things on a whim. I believe that the same rules of probable cause and search/seizure that apply to general law enforcement should apply to Game and Fish, DNR, etc.
I have never been cited for a game or fish violation and have only had a few experiences with officers who were less than professional. I know that the field officer is doing his/her job. I just feel like my rights are being suspended every time someone asks to look in my cooler. Especially on private property.
Here is a funny story. I used to hunt in Alabama a lot. I mean A LOT! To get home to Florida we crossed through Georgia. Periodically the state of Georgia would have these huge stops that would involve DMV, highway patrol, Game and Fish, and every other agency you could think of. They would check your drivers license, ask you if you had been drinking, and if you had any hunting equipment at all you would have to pull over and get checked. It felt as close to being asked, "Papers please." as I ever hope to be in the United States of America.
We got waved to the side of the rode one day and a young female (I know this has nothing to do with anything, I'm just painting the picture.) game warden asks us if we had any luck. I told her that we had three processed deer in the coolers and she asked to see our licenses. We gave her our Alabama hunting licenses and our Florida driver's licenses and it was more than she could handle. She made the comment that we were in Georgia at least a half dozen times over the next ten minutes as I tried to explain basic geography and driving directions to her. I was one step away from pulling out a map to clearly show her that we had to go through Georgia to get home when a senior officer came over and waved us through. My dad and I still laugh about that to this day.
By far, most of my interactions with game wardens have been very positive but like Gregg, I've had encounters where I think the searching and questioning has gone a little too far.
Way back when,I had a game warden threaten to shoot the locks off of the truck tool box in my dads truck when exiting a WMA. Yes, I should have had the key. I grabbed the wrong set on my way out the door that morning. But to threaten a teenager with shooting off the locks was a bit over the top, I thought.
Just recently a female warden happened to be passing our front gate when my wife was coming home. The warden asked her for the gate combo so that she could drive into our property and that I knew her( the female warden)and she was sure I wouldn't mind. I've never met this warden and have had no interaction with her. I would have had no problem with her accessing through our gate but to claim she knew me to my wife was just a little hinky. She has the right to be on our property, but she'll be walking in if she does....
I have a good friend that is a co. I know it is a tough job.
On the other hand I have had some really bad interactions through the years.
When I was in AL the local GW there for years was a close friend. He would even stop by the shop and take a coffee break when time premitted.
I was also a hunter safty instructure and we conducted classes together. He never came in and handled the law enforcement part without sticking around and answering any questions.
After he retired the new GW that took over was a total jerk. I had no use for him. It seemed like just about every other expression out of his mouth was "gotta catch those bad guys".
He was always late for the HS classes and never wanted to answer any questions.
The real letdown to him was the fact that when he was a kid I took him hunting numerous times because none of his family hunted.
Troy
I have two close friends that are both retired Game wardens and the most kindhearted ,fun to be around kind of fella's that I invite to eat at my supper table anytime...I also live just down the road from another that I consider a friend and just recently worked on an old Bear recurve he had that needed a string,puffs and a strike plate and a few arrows...He likes to fly fish and used to bowhunt and just recently let me borrow a book that he had signed by Gene Wensel over 28 years ago...GameWardens are human and if you obey the laws like I do then you have nothing to worry about...Answer there questions when asked and show them respect and most will do the same...Invite one hunting with you and I bet you will make a new friend...
If you have a gun, put the thing down! It will be safer for both of you that way.
I was checked for my hunting license while squirrel hunting the beginning of season. No big deal since I was legal and he was a nice guy.
i always get laughed at by my old co.first time we met i was dove hunting with a recurve and he never even asked for my licsense...everytime after he waves and moves on...i found out later he was a tradbowhunter and shot several times at 3d tourneys with him,he retired and now where i use to live has a young trying to make a name for himself....glad i moved
Well, I am the guy Road Kill was referring to on the other site that just is one of those guys... I have unfortunaely been on the recieving end of quite a few bad encounters. I have met some very nice one's as well. I can honesly say that the ratio of bad expierences to good expierences is in the favor of the bad.
I read here where many made the statements that basically if you were cited it was your fault or you had broken the law. I am just paraphrasing that because the statements were broad and wide, but the meaniing was that. I am here to tell you like I told the OP, you are wrong. I am glad that has been your expierences, and it has been quite a few of mine, but that is not always the case.
I have been blessed to travel and hunt in many states. I have done most of those hunts trouble free. Others were not that way. I don't know why, my demeanor is pure respect. Yes sir, no sir. I am asked weekly if I am in the military or a police officer. I am mistaken for game wardens every week due to my law enforceent job and uniform. I just have had a lot of bad run ins with them regardless of the state.
I won't bother going through them again, I am sure some of you read it over there, and I simply do not have the heart or desire to talk about it anymore. All I can say is I wish it were different, but I have spent a lot of money defending myself in court beating some bogus trumped up charges and paying tickets where subjective laws allow for the mood and personality of the CO to do as they desire to out of sae hnters that do not have the resources or time to travel back and forth across the country to do so.
I have many friends who are Police Officers. I have some that are CO's. I work with the state police on a regular basis. So I am well aware of the implications of attitude, intent, etc... Wearing that badge isn't a gimme for fair and just, and it doesn't mean you are always right. As in all professions, there are all kinds. God Bless
AWPForester
Don't come to N. Idaho.......
AWPForester an I got off on thevwrong foot. He is a honorable guy and I take responsibility for the misunderstaning we had. I do apologize to him and to the members of this august clan.
I'm 62, have hunted and fished in several states and have been accused by some people (people with no sense of humor) of having a smart mouth(often). I have been stopped and checked many times by F&G professionals and I guess I'm just lucky. Haven't had a bad experience yet. I have always been treated with the same respect I have shown them.
After years of harrassing the, non-local hunters and fishermen, our local gamewarden and his accomplice (another gamewarden) were fired. They were cought turkey hunting out of season on the land they patrol along with trapping wild hogs and coyotes and selling/transporting across state lines. I know this was an isolated case and I am proud of the good game officials that stopped them.
Only good experiences for me in MI and CO, but I've only been checked once in each State. I ended up chatting about my bows both times. I'm glad they're out there doing this for all of us.
If you have a good spot to hunt and see alot of animals don't tell them when they ask have you seen anything. Always ask them do they know a good place to hunt because you never see anything.
They will try to get the spot for themselves. I have seen it happen several times around here in NC and it happened to me when I was younger.LCH
Way back in 1977 I returned to Indiana from a 2.5 month forester job in Colorado. I had CO plates on my truck. I bought the truck new in Indiana and immediately drove to CO with temporary plates to be replaced with permanent ones when the temps expired.
I was hunting in Brown County Indiana. On the opening weekend I was checked three times. The 2nd time I was checked the officer was standing under my tree stand about 30 minutes after light.
I couldn't figure out why I was drawing so much attention. The 3rd time the officer checked me that weekend he mentioned the Colorado plates. Aha! There aren't many folks from Colorado who come to IN to deer hunt, at least not in the 70's! I showed the officer my Nonresident Colorado Mule Deer License that I had purchased in Late August while out there.
That was the end of our contacts. During all the checks this officer was polite.
I certainly agree with AWPForester that the ranks of LE aren't immune from flaws that many people sometimes exhibit. In fact, I'm surprised at some of the bully-types that end up in LE -- I've never seen this type in the wildlife enforcement field.
Of all the times I've been checked I could/should have (?) been cited twice -- both times for sitting on a lifejacket instead of wearing it. Different states both times. As one who has never owned a boat or been around them much, I didn't realize I was breaking the law, which isn't a good excuse. Both times the officers (MI and KY) let me off with an education. I was very releaved...the first time would have been difficult on my budget and the 2nd time would have been extremely embarrassing given my position at the time.