How to deal with game wardens?

philos said:
Hey Ken,

Since I am a fellow South Carolinian, I wanted to respond here. I’ve had interactions with wardens here in SC and other places and most were very friendly and didn’t strike me as bad elements. I was guilty of a boating violation here in SC once and I only got a warning-and the guy was super nice. I also was guilty of a minor infarction in Wyoming and only got a warning there as well.

I don’t doubt there have been some guys wearing the uniform that were not good guys but the generalization that all or most are bad is just wrong in my opinion and experience.

Southern game wardens desk with negative stereotypes similar to Southern lawyers-I feel sure you had had to deal with that at some point-and everybody knows you are one off the good guys.
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Boss, I have dealt with sherriff deputies and game wardens being private detectives watching my every move. I have also crushed many of them in court, and in public. I like to see em roll up, cause at this point, most are cheap entertainment.
 
KenLee said:
Wardens lie, cheat, don't know the law, and get creative with body cams.
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I have found this to be the case with our game wardens on Puget Sound. I have had to school one of them on crab rules that I had showed him in the regs. He hasn't messed with me since.
 
To add to my early comment “can my dog check out the back of your truck?” That incident many years ago woke me up to the fact that about that time our game and fish became law enforcement and not just people with biology or wildlife management degrees out checking and helping hunters. Doesn’t mean they aren’t nice or good people but they were law enforcement and that was their #1 priority from here on out. Every encounter after that one has reinforced the law enforcement 1st vibe. So I treat them as good people but they are slanted towards looking at me to see if I’ve violated the law first and being a nice good guy second. I’m definitely on guard as to what I say to them just like I would any law enforcement. Part of the modern way. Watch out for yourself first and foremost :)
 
I don't think anyone should be surprised that law enforcement is their first priority during an enforcement scenario.

Most of them are regular guys who got the job because they care about the same things most of us care about.

Outside of work, they're regular guys who enjoy the outdoors. One of our local games wardens works out at my gym. I bs with him regularly. Aside from him being a good dude, I have always found it worthwhile to build a relationship with the guys working my areas. If nothing else, you already have a foundation for the time where you make a mistake, have a question, or observe something nefarious.

That's not to say some guys aren't dicks whether they're at work or not.

People that regularly have trouble probably have trouble for a reason.
 
KenLee said:
Boss, I have dealt with sherriff deputies and game wardens being private detectives watching my every move. I have also crushed many of them in court, and in public. I like to see em roll up, cause at this point, most are cheap entertainment.
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Dang, how many times you been to court ?
 
They're just like every other group of people--some good, some bad, some smart, some not so much. I've never had even a warning, but enough interactions nonetheless to form an opinion.

In Nevada, a family friend is a retired G&F LEO. Couldn't be a better guy in every respect. Good, smart, caring, committed dude I would want by my side in the worst of situations, even in his old age.

In Indiana, I came back from a midday duck hunt in an area known for meth addict hill jacks, and two wardens stood up out of the brush ten yards from me as I approached my truck. Lucky no one got shot. From the conversation that ensued, good people, not so bright.

In Wyoming, I had five interactions in three years with a warden in Area 7. Jerk and a fool, unequivocally so, doing nothing but shame to public service.

In Idaho, endless friendliness and I can't pay them to look at the licenses I bought with my hard earned money. Kind of wish they'd up their game a notch or two, because I see enough dirtbaggery to warrant attention.
 
wyojdubya said:
They're just like every other group of people--some good, some bad, some smart, some not so much. I've never had even a warning, but enough interactions nonetheless to form an opinion.

In Nevada, a family friend is a retired G&F LEO. Couldn't be a better guy in every respect. Good, smart, caring, committed dude I would want by my side in the worst of situations, even in his old age.

In Indiana, I came back from a midday duck hunt in an area known for meth addict hill jacks, and two wardens stood up out of the brush ten yards from me as I approached my truck. Lucky no one got shot. From the conversation that ensued, good people, not so bright.

In Wyoming, I had five interactions in three years with a warden in Area 7. Jerk and a fool, unequivocally so, doing nothing but shame to public service.

In Idaho, endless friendliness and I can't pay them to look at the licenses I bought with my hard earned money. Kind of wish they'd up their game a notch or two, because I see enough dirtbaggery to warrant attention.
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I think you need to clarify wyoming area 7, what species? Because there's several area 7's, that are not the same area.
 
KenLee said:
Absolutely.
I have these things called bar licenses for SC and NC.
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🤣that makes sense. I guess I wasn't keeping up with this thread enough to catch that. I just scrolled thru and seen "48 times in court in 27yrs with a warden". I thought "holy shit, that guy seems to have a law enforcement issue". 🤦
 
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