Game Wardens...

[flechero]

Game Wardens are a sore subject with me. In my lifetime, I have been checked no less than a dozen times while hunting or fishing. I can honestly say I have only had one even come close to being polite or courteous.

I don't care if he's the only Warden in the area, being a jerk won't make it any better. When someone smiles, extends common courtesies, and complies with each request, at least they could say have a nice day as they leave, or thank you for your cooperation.

When they bang into your boat with their (sharp edged, abused, aluminum) boat at 5-8mph and leave permanent gouges in the fiberglass and then threaten to haul you in for not assisting them in tying up, I'll chalk it up to a bad day. But then when they board your boat and rummage through it while banging up high dollar gear and stepping on rods, barking orders to produce all kinds of stuff that was already laid out on the deck for their inspection....

Is there any reason not to gently lay down a gun after inspection? I don't mind them checking my guns... but putting a scratch on a gun or the hood of my pick up because they aren't a little careful is crossing the line.

There is no excuse for that kind of interaction with the public. Rant over.

[Big Tom]

Some of these stories are rough.  I have been checked quite a bit by quite a few different fellows.  I have never really had a problem with any of them.  They all seemed like pretty nice guys.

[JShrock07]

Oh com'on guys Game Wardens are not that bad. They are just like you and me. They love to fish and hunt and want to protect everything that surrounds the game. But as a Law Enforcement Officer we have many Deputys that will check licenses but that is all they check.

I have run across many Game Wardens and Police officers while fishing and hunting and I have never had a problem. They are all nice unless you tick them off. 8-)

Muddy as for that guy unsnapping his holster... You really should go to the department and comlpain there is no reason for his action!!! >

[Pigsticker]

Game Wardens are a sore subject with me. In my lifetime, I have been checked no less than a dozen times while hunting or fishing. I can honestly say I have only had one even come close to being polite or courteous.

I don't care if he's the only Warden in the area, being a jerk won't make it any better. When someone smiles, extends common courtesies, and complies with each request, at least they could say have a nice day as they leave, or thank you for your cooperation.

When they bang into your boat with their (sharp edged, abused, aluminum) boat at 5-8mph and leave permanent gouges in the fiberglass and then threaten to haul you in for not assisting them in tying up, I'll chalk it up to a bad day. But then when they board your boat and rummage through it while banging up high dollar gear and stepping on rods, barking orders to produce all kinds of stuff that was already laid out on the deck for their inspection....

Is there any reason not to gently lay down a gun after inspection? I don't mind them checking my guns... but putting a scratch on a gun or the hood of my pick up because they aren't a little careful is crossing the line.

There is no excuse for that kind of interaction with the public. Rant over.

I hear you flechero, i have been stopped by local police and game wardens, What I HATE is that they all sneak up on you and wait for you to incriminate yourself!!! Me and anyone I fish with are never doing anything wrong but it SCARES me senseless to turn around and see a guy just standing there.

One time I was "checked" by local policeman who was checking a complaint of man who said people were fishing on his land The cop was a local for years and knew the pond was public and the owner of the adjacent land knew of the public access.

Yet still the cop comes sneaking up on my dad,luckily I was on the other side the pond and shouted to my dad the guy was sneaking up on him,the cop looked pretty embarassed because we had done nothing wrong and that the warden checks licenses when asked what he was checking us for, he said"if we were fishing with the proper equipment"

I guess he thought we were bow fisherman : he then also told us about the complaint and we said we were on public land then he left > waste of everyones time :-/

[rondef]

I have only encountered them once, they wanted to see everything, at first I almost felt like I was being harassed. But then I thought about it and realized that they are just doing there job.  They are just protecting the fisheries around here so it is a good thing that they are being thorough.

[flechero]

Oh com'on guys Game Wardens are not that bad. They are just like you and me.

I wish my experiences were as you posted. I always greet them with a smile and a "Hi, how are you doing today?" I'm not alone... most of my hunting and fishing friends have similar stories and experiences.

I guess in balance, I should say that the sheriffs and local police I have run into while outdoors have generally been nice and would chat with me or talk fishing, etc. The Game Wardens I have run into seem to have the attitude that I must be guilty of something guilty and they are on a mission to prove it.  

[roadwarrior]

I have had encounters with The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Like every other aspect of life, most are easy going and a few

aren't. The only thing that use to bother my partner and I was

getting checked time and again by the same guys.

Solution: Invited them to fish with us...

Problem solved!

8-)

[llPa1nll]

Game Wardens in NH are a rare thing I have been fishing seriously for about 15yrs. I have been checked for a fishing license 4-5 times in that time. Once I wasnt even fishing or had my boat in the water. He just asked to see my fishing lic. as I was taking the GF out for a boat ride on the lake, at the launch. All f my interactions with the game wardens have been positive and had no problems. My grief is usually with the "Barney Fife" Marine Patrol Officers.

[Aaron]

My interactions with game wardens have been positive.  I ran into one on the lake one day but they were just doing a survey and didn't ask about licensing or anything.  The other time I met one while camping and he was out looking for some people riding fourwheelers in an unauthorized area.

I have heard of some bad encounters but never experienced any.

[fishfordollars]

We get checked pretty often. Heck, we know most of them so they just come over to talk and will look to see if we have lifejackets. One time in my life have I had a warden go through my boat and ask for everything. Most will not bother you once they have time to get to know you. We turn in a lot of people so they are comfortable with us.

[Olebiker]

I have been in Florida 19 years and have only been approached by a game warden (locally known as the mullet police)  twice. Both times were this year and by two different wardens. Both were polite, respectful and helpful.

Here's a good idea I picked up on BR: Program your local game warden's telephone number into your cell phone so you can report game violations.

[Zel]

Muddy, the guy at the Chunk will not loose his job.  He is a suck up to his boss Sally (law enforcement manager for the fish and boat commission's Northeast Region) and brings in money for the region.   At first he didn't much care for the fact that I seemed to know more about the regulations than he did (I was a club tournament director for many years).  But having a police officer in the boat with me, and knowing Sally, tuned down his attitude, and helps to avoid those having a bad day nonsense fines.  I have subsequently found out if you ask him questions about his job and what he has encountered recently - in a nice manner, he loves to talk, and you will be golden.   The only problem is, as he is talking to you for over 15 minutes, he has a tendency to drag your boat into the boulders, and you cringe as the bottom of the boat scrapes the rocks.

[fishinfiend]

I have only had one encounter in over 25 years of fishing.

[bassdocktor]

I should add that as I fish alot in Michigan I tend to be a target (out of state registration). Generally the sheriff likes to make sure I atleast have my life jacket. However, when I was in a boat registered in MI they went right past us.

I will say the marine division of the sheriff's department has always been very approachable and friendly. Other than having to stop fishing they haven't caused me any problems. Infact they are usually a bunch of really nice guys.

In fact this past week I learned that many really enjoy their job especially when they get to go after drunken guys driving speed/ski boats that almost swamp little row boats. Although it was one I've had run ins with I of course quickly pointed out where that offender lives.

[tritz18]

I have never seen one in mass or maine. My dad has been fishing for many years and he has also never seen one.

[Sam]

Very rarely.

But that is because I do most of my fishing on weekdays and not weekends.

Remember, game wardens have more power than law enforcement officers.

Game wardens can check your boat, cooler and car without any logical reason other than for "believing" you have some illegal game or have broken some fish and game laws.

They can also take your rods, reels, tackle, guns, ammo, etc. if they think you have broken any fish and game laws.

I have never met a "nasty" game warden. In fact, everyone I have met have been ladies and gentlemen and I am proud to have them put their lives on the line for us regular, honest guys and gals who enjoy the outdoors.

If you call your state's fish and game department you will find that the game wardens can be of immense help with questions on where to fish, baits, techniques, boating safety, etc.

They are the good guys.  

[RobbyZ5001]

Our former warden on Mauch Chunk was an incredbily decent and polite fella, he retired 2 years ago. The currnet mook is an intolerable jackazz. He called me in 3 days in a row, he stands on the shore and bellows" Come to the sound of my voice" like he is God calling Moses or something He wanted to check my Lic.;Regi for the boat, flotation device and sound maker. I have all.

Now this is ELectric Trolling Motor lake so it takes a bit of time to fine THE DIRECTION OF HIS VOICE and then you gotta go all the way there!! I asked why, with other boats all around me , did he pull me in 3 consrcutive days? He unsnapped his 45 on his hip, Guess I posed a threat to his and my saftey. I also asked if the last 2 days I was totally legal why pull me in today, he said YOUR LETTERS AND NUMBERS ARE NOT FAR ENOUGH APART ACCORDING TO PA LAW> I flipped a bit, then calmed down b/c I was getting no where I really wanted him to draw his little cap gun.

I have seen him sct in similar horriblr actio to others and a lot of regulars are getting pizzed off. He is a buffon and sooner or later he is gonna get fired.

muddy does his name resemble moron? I have had a problem on Mauch Chunk as well. I have told you about it in the past. I took that "mook" to court and won my case. Similar sitiuation, but during ice fishing. He fined me for something everyone else was doing, and I asked him why me and not them. I will fix his back one day for him...

[rondef]

My uncle (in Nashua, NH) told me a story about his neighbors son and hunting that was unreal. It turns out the kid (21 years old) went out deer hunting and shot and killed a moose instead. It gets better, he decided to take it home and put it in their garage. Well one of the neighbors saw this and called the game warden and reported them. When the game warden got there and confirmed the report he confiscated the guns, the truck, the kids hunting license and he even tried to take the home. The father ended up spending over $10,000 in legal fees because of his kids ignorance and he never got the truck or the guns back but he saved his house. Needless to say the kid got booted out of the house and was told he was no longer welcome in the house until he paid his dad back over $25,000 for the truck and guns that they took and the $10,000 in legal fees. My uncle told me the dad almost beat the crap out of his kid and had to be restrained.

The game wardens have an unbelievable amount of power.  Oh yeah they took the moose and gave the meat to the prison system in New Hampshire.

[Z71]

It seems I get checked everywhere I go. Intercoastal waterway, on the lakes, hunting, where ever. Had one pull me over 10 miles from nowhere coming home from hunting, I didn't come to a complete stop at train tracks. I would never knowlingly break the law, as I would definitely get checked within 3 minutes.

[Hookemdown.]

I don't understand why they would take the truck and attempt to take a house.  

They do have more power than police officers and I have seen moments when they abuse that power.

[rondef]

They took the truck because it was used to illegally take the moose to their house. Trust me the kids father is still ticked to this day and this happened over 20 years ago. The had no case to take the house but they got the truck when the case went to court.

[Muddy]

Our former warden on Mauch Chunk was an incredbily decent and polite fella, he retired 2 years ago. The currnet mook is an intolerable jackazz. He called me in 3 days in a row, he stands on the shore and bellows" Come to the sound of my voice" like he is God calling Moses or something He wanted to check my Lic.;Regi for the boat, flotation device and sound maker. I have all.

Now this is ELectric Trolling Motor lake so it takes a bit of time to fine THE DIRECTION OF HIS VOICE and then you gotta go all the way there!! I asked why, with other boats all around me , did he pull me in 3 consrcutive days? He unsnapped his 45 on his hip, Guess I posed a threat to his and my saftey. I also asked if the last 2 days I was totally legal why pull me in today, he said YOUR LETTERS AND NUMBERS ARE NOT FAR ENOUGH APART ACCORDING TO PA LAW> I flipped a bit, then calmed down b/c I was getting no where I really wanted him to draw his little cap gun.

I have seen him sct in similar horriblr actio to others and a lot of regulars are getting pizzed off. He is a buffon and sooner or later he is gonna get fired.

muddy does his name resemble moron? I have had a problem on Mauch Chunk as well. I have told you about it in the past. I took that "mook" to court and won my case. Similar sitiuation, but during ice fishing. He fined me for something everyone else was doing, and I asked him why me and not them. I will fix his back one day for him...

 That be he. Want a fool and now he is the lead officer at Wallenpacpak,Beltsville and The Chunk. I bet you this will be his demise, I give him one more season!