Can I Recommend A Spot For The Dec?

[BuffaloBass716]

I fish a spot where there is always other people there, and occasionally its just ridiculous.  Out of the years I've been fishing there, not once have I been stopped and asked for my fishing license.  My theory is that since there is never anybody checking for fishing licensing or making sure people aren't keeping bass that don't measure to the standards of NYS, everybody just congregates to this area because they can get away with it.

 

Anyway... Do you guys think that if I called my local DEC number and ask for a officer to check people occasionally, they would take my advice?  I can guarantee that people fish there illegally, and trash the place as well.  In my eyes, there should be an officer there at least once a day in the evening, and can honestly probably catch and fine a hand full of people.  

 

If they have their paper work in order, great, if they don't, they should be fined the $250 and have their fishing tackle taken away. Plain and simple. 

[ABW]

I fish a spot where there is always other people there, and occasionally its just ridiculous.  Out of the years I've been fishing there, not once have I been stopped and asked for my fishing license.  My theory is that since there is never anybody checking for fishing licensing or making sure people aren't keeping bass that don't measure to the standards of NYS, everybody just congregates to this area because they can get away with it.

 

Anyway... Do you guys think that if I called my local DEC number and ask for a officer to check people occasionally, they would take my advice?  I can guarantee that people fish there illegally, and trash the place as well.  In my eyes, there should be an officer there at least once a day in the evening, and can honestly probably catch and fine a hand full of people.  

 

If they have their paper work in order, great, if they don't, they should be fined the $250 and have their fishing tackle taken away. Plain and simple. 

 

It is the same way at this public lake I fish too. I can tell many do not have fishing licenses, just because these people aren't the most serious fishermen, with spincast and cheap spinning combos from the store. They will literally keep every bass they catch, even if its under the minimum of 14 inches. I've even seen some kids keeping tiny 10 inch bass. Lots of littering too. Here, its extremely rare to catch anything over 3 lbs. That just puts it in perspective of how over fished this small lake is. The biggest I've ever caught was a 3, and I've been fishing there about 6 years, since I was like 9. Anyways, hopefully I can move onto bigger lakes in the area once I get older.

 

If you see anything illegal that they're doing, report it to the DEC. I'm sure that they would take your advise to check people too. 

[Bluebasser86]

Most states are terribly short on Game Wardens, they simply don't have the man power to check some spots often. I fish and hunt a lot and only ever get checked a couple times all year and rarely is that in the field or on the water. 

[Missourifishin]

It wouldn't hurt to call and let them know your concerns. I don't know if they'll act on it. But that's about all you can do.

[Paul s]

Ive literally only been checked by a warden once in my life (both hunting and fishing) and that was earlier this year trout fishing, its rare to even see a waeden.

[WRB]

Most states encourage calling and have a tip phone number to call for illegal fishing and hunting activity.

Tom

[A-Jay]

Something that is not often mentioned in these kinds of situations, Game Wardens works for US - the law abiding citizens.  They are there to help ensure our safely and to enforce the laws, rules and regulations as they apply to Fish & Game and the environment.  So put them to work - that's what they are there for !

 

 As stated, they are almost always seriously under staffed.  Your eyes can help them out, so do it.

 

And if they are unable or unwilling to respond, keep calling.  The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

A-Jay

[BuffaloBass716]

Thanks guys, I am definitely going to give them a call to let them know.  Hopefully if people see a game warden at the spot every so often, it'll make that area a little better with time.  

[geo g]

I had not been checked in ten years in south Florida fresh water, in the boat. Then last year I got checked twice in two weeks by the same guy. I told him you checked me last week with no violations. He did not care and did a complete inspection again. When finished I told him I'll see you next week!

There are definitely way too few officers for all the water and wilderness areas. Far more dangerous job then most people think, since many of the encounters they have are with people with high powered weapons, many at night with no back up.

[BassinLou]

I think you should give the wardens a call. It will make everyone that fishes that spot a little more conscious of the rules and regulations if a warden would stop by every once in a while. 

 

I know for me I have only been stopped twice. 1. For a safety inspection in the glades  2. I was fishing 2 blocks from my house at a neighborhood canal when a FWC officer happen to be driving by. Turned his lights on and everything. I smiled to myself, and fortunately I was carrying my wallet, so I produced my license and I was good. The officer ended up being a cool guy and we ended up chit chatting for while. 

[*Hootie]

I have always bought a fishing license, and in over fifty years I probably have been asked to show it maybe three times.

Hootie

[PersicoTrotaVA]

Glad you guys don't see a game warden.  A few years ago I got a fishing without a fishing license for casting the pole for someone else who had never fished before in their life.  I almost went to jail that day for arguing with the GW because I wasn't fishing and get this, he didn't even give the other person a ticket, he went direct for me.

 

I am all about checking people to see if they have up to date fishing licenses and fining people who litter and take fish that are too small but seriously, I will never fish that lake ever because of how gestapo they are about it.  275 bucks for trying to help someone out...

[jigabooyah]

I suspect a lot of people fish without a License. I see people breaking game laws often and just being plain careless. 

Lot of it is just greed. Like fishing with 8 poles when the place only allows 2. 

[A-Jay]

Glad you guys don't see a game warden.  A few years ago I got a fishing without a fishing license for casting the pole for someone else who had never fished before in their life.  I almost went to jail that day for arguing with the GW because I wasn't fishing and get this, he didn't even give the other person a ticket, he went direct for me.

 

I am all about checking people to see if they have up to date fishing licenses and fining people who litter and take fish that are too small but seriously, I will never fish that lake ever because of how gestapo they are about it.  275 bucks for trying to help someone out...

 

This is routinely known as Cause & Effect.

 

A-Jay

[Zach Dunham]

Most states are terribly short on Game Wardens, they simply don't have the man power to check some spots often. I fish and hunt a lot and only ever get checked a couple times all year and rarely is that in the field or on the water. 

 

Yeah. And the ones that are there waste their time trying to nitpick a bass tournament weigh-in instead of finding people who are keeping every fish they catch and stealing from the system. I've even called them before and they do something 5 hours too late if at all. Come bass tournament launch or weigh-in you can be sure they will be there hawking.

[Zach Dunham]

This is routinely known as Cause & Effect.

 

A-Jay

 

You know as well as all of us that that is ridiculous. If I saw someone that needed help with something fishing related, I would help them whether I was fishing or not and whether I had my gear and license or not. Don't pretend like that isn't a ridiculous ticket to get. Just because it is "technically" breaking the rules, although I'm not even entirely sure that casting someone's rod and showing them something qualifies as that, there is a thing called using your head which that game warden clearly did not do (or maybe he did and just wanted to take someone's money).

[OkobojiEagle]

I fish a spot where there is always other people there, and occasionally its just ridiculous...  so this is your spot?

 

 

 

everybody just congregates to this area because they can get away with it...  it doesn't have anything to do with the fact it's a good fishing spot?

 

 

 

Anyway... Do you guys think that if I called my local DEC number and ask for a officer to check people occasionally, they would take my advice?  I certainly hope not on your speculation alone.

[toni63]

Wouldn't hurt to call. My experience with anyone in any type of law enforcement is if it's a "slam dunk" situation they know they can be successful in prosecuting with the minimal amount of effort, they usually don't take a lot of persuading.

That isn't a slam on law enforcement, just a matter of fact statement of practicality. If you have the choice of going to great lengths to making a case, or just showing up and it's all right there, which would you consider a better use of your time?

I'd bet if they can show up and start handing out tickets and it's all clear cut, they will be there. It helps both the public and them. A Win-Win.

Oh, and for the record, once when I was 15 or so I got ticketed for fishing after dark and fishing without a license. So it's not like I always thought having the license was as important as going fishing my whole life, either. But since then, I always get my license every year. Small price to pay to enjoy the sport, and if I have to pay, so should everyone else I share the water with.

And to the guy complaining about the wardens showing up on tournament day, I saw that earlier this year too. Surprisingly, many of the tournament guys didn't have their boat registrations up to day due to a change in how Illinois renews them. So yes, they did have quite the field day. I didn't see that as a negative reflection on the wardens though. I kinda thought guys who were all serious about their big bassin' rigs and angling accomplishments would have kept up to date with the regs, too. Guess not... lol

[BuffaloBass716]

 

I fish a spot where there is always other people there, and occasionally its just ridiculous...  so this is your spot? No it's not my spot, clearly if I pay for an annual fishing license I shouldn't have to fish beside people who do it for free, illegally. 

 

 

 

everybody just congregates to this area because they can get away with it...  it doesn't have anything to do with the fact it's a good fishing spot? It's an okay spot, but whenever I'm fishing there, I usually can out fish everyone else.  It's that easy to tell when someone else catches something because we are all so close together.

 

 

 

Anyway... Do you guys think that if I called my local DEC number and ask for a officer to check people occasionally, they would take my advice?  I certainly hope not on your speculation alone.  Until you see the people who are fishing there, I think it would be a wise choice for a game warden to drop by for a visit...

 

[Lund Explorer]

You know as well as all of us that that is ridiculous. If I saw someone that needed help with something fishing related, I would help them whether I was fishing or not and whether I had my gear and license or not. Don't pretend like that isn't a ridiculous ticket to get. Just because it is "technically" breaking the rules, although I'm not even entirely sure that casting someone's rod and showing them something qualifies as that, there is a thing called using your head which that game warden clearly did not do (or maybe he did and just wanted to take someone's money).

 

Please don't include all of us in your own opinion, as I completely understand and agree with the comment.  That automatically makes your first assumption wrong, and with a little study, I'm sure that most of the others will follow suit.

 

The act of fishing includes holding a fishing pole and casting bait or lure into the water.  This means the person was indeed fishing, and if they did not have a license, then they should have gotten a ticket.  If at that point they wished to argue the point, they are given the right to a trial by judge or jury to make their case.  That is the way the current system works, and if someone doesn't like that system, there are ways to change them beyond whining about it.

 

This opinion is mine, and I will not make any assumption that everyone will agree with it.  That's how rational people think!

[Zach Dunham]

Please don't include all of us in your own opinion, as I completely understand and agree with the comment.  That automatically makes your first assumption wrong, and with a little study, I'm sure that most of the others will follow suit.

 

The act of fishing includes holding a fishing pole and casting bait or lure into the water.  This means the person was indeed fishing, and if they did not have a license, then they should have gotten a ticket.  If at that point they wished to argue the point, they are given the right to a trial by judge or jury to make their case.  That is the way the current system works, and if someone doesn't like that system, there are ways to change them beyond whining about it.

 

This opinion is mine, and I will not make any assumption that everyone will agree with it.  That's how rational people think!

 

So what you're saying is, you're walking in a park and you see a kid or group of kids fishing and doing something incorrectly, and you go over and show them how to cast, you deserve a ticket if you don't have your license on you and someone saw you throw a line in the water? Seriously, I am wondering. If you can tell me right now that you deserve a ticket for that, I will not say another word on this thread. Your post will say all it needs to.

[Brian6428]

 

 

I fish a spot where there is always other people there, and occasionally its just ridiculous...  so this is your spot? No it's not my spot, clearly if I pay for an annual fishing license I shouldn't have to fish beside people who do it for free, illegally. 

 

 

 

everybody just congregates to this area because they can get away with it...  it doesn't have anything to do with the fact it's a good fishing spot? It's an okay spot, but whenever I'm fishing there, I usually can out fish everyone else.  It's that easy to tell when someone else catches something because we are all so close together.

 

 

 

Anyway... Do you guys think that if I called my local DEC number and ask for a officer to check people occasionally, they would take my advice?  I certainly hope not on your speculation alone.  Until you see the people who are fishing there, I think it would be a wise choice for a game warden to drop by for a visit...

 

 

I think this assumption of whether or not people are legal based on appearance is what is causing some feathers to be ruffled here.

[A-Jay]

You know as well as all of us that that is ridiculous. If I saw someone that needed help with something fishing related, I would help them whether I was fishing or not and whether I had my gear and license or not. Don't pretend like that isn't a ridiculous ticket to get. Just because it is "technically" breaking the rules, although I'm not even entirely sure that casting someone's rod and showing them something qualifies as that, there is a thing called using your head which that game warden clearly did not do (or maybe he did and just wanted to take someone's money).

 Ridiculous ~  arousing or deserving ridicule : extremely silly or unreasonable :  absurd, preposterous.

                                       The Game Warden did not see it that way.  

 

We are hearing one side of the story.  The Officer's version of these events may be different and why he determined that there was a violation and acted accordingly. 

 

After listening to and witnessing many years of stories and events myself, I will admit that I'll always give the LEO's version quite a bit more credence.  

 

A-Jay

[Zach Dunham]

 Ridiculous ~  arousing or deserving ridicule : extremely silly or unreasonable :  absurd, preposterous.

                                       The Game Warden did not see it that way.  

 

We are hearing one side of the story.  The Officer's version of these events may be different and why he determined that there was a violation and acted accordingly. 

 

After listening to and witnessing many years of stories and events myself, I will admit that I'll always give the LEO's version quite a bit more credence.  

 

A-Jay

 

I agree with what you are saying about stories. But the LEO is another human being with bias also. I'm sure the truth is somewhere in between. The only reason I actually believe the person who posted that story is I have seen equally ridiculous things with my own eyes that didn't even involve me.

[Fish Murderer 71]

When it all boils down, the only thing that matters is that you are a responsible outdoorsman.  I pay a meager 68 bucks a year for my hunting tags and fishing license. and it ensures that my kids will have an opportunity to enjoy some of the things we do.  If you see poaching report it!  I will in a heart beat!  I have met most of the Game Wardens in my area and I respect the job they are trying to perform- Law ENFORCEMENT! I say this because my Grandmother was a Game Warden in North Dakota for a long time.  We the tax payers, pay these men and women to try to ensure that we all have an opportunity to enjoy the sport most of us go nuts over!  They put their lives on the line for a meager wage, and have to deal with a lot of jerks and immature people.  They put a book out at the start of the new license year- I, as a responsible adult and outdoorsman can take a few minutes to see if any of the rules have changed or I can learn it the expensive way.  I'll say it again...  If you see poaching- report it, it your duty!  I'll get off my soap box now!