Especially in a jet boat, where in many waters dodging rocks is the most important navigation you’ll do
How to deal with game wardens?
- Thread starter mad_angler
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Especially in a jet boat, where in many waters dodging rocks is the most important navigation you’ll do
Shootinsurveyor
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2 interactions- Just bought a jon boat as 21 year old college student and went to the closest lake and put in. As soon as I got on the water, boat comes right up with two wardens. Ask to see my Boat registration card or whatever its called. I told them I had no idea what they were talking about and I had just bought the boat today. They could have gave me a 100 dollar ticket and didnt. I continued on my maiden voyage.
Walking out from fishing, encountered one coming into the fishing area. He asked to check my fishing license and I showed it to him on the phone app VA has. He asked which vehicle was mine at the parking area and I told him. He said OK and that he had run the plates of the cars in the lot. Didnt know they did that, but good knowledge to have. Chatted a little about the fishing and went on our ways.
Both interactions were decent and respectable. Seemed like good guys.
Walking out from fishing, encountered one coming into the fishing area. He asked to check my fishing license and I showed it to him on the phone app VA has. He asked which vehicle was mine at the parking area and I told him. He said OK and that he had run the plates of the cars in the lot. Didnt know they did that, but good knowledge to have. Chatted a little about the fishing and went on our ways.
Both interactions were decent and respectable. Seemed like good guys.
KurtR
WKR
I dont think that is a law in Sodak any more if it is they dont enforce it as i have stood up and looked over the wind shield and passed the wardens when it got a little western on Oahe and not to many jet boats out hereEspecially in a jet boat, where in many waters dodging rocks is the most important navigation you’ll do
KenLee
WKR
Goo
Good guy arrested. I’ve had him and Dad kill yotes. The wardens are scum.
MallardSX2
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Wow. This doesn't surprise me at all.
The guy should have done a better job of exercising his rights though.
KenLee
WKR
The boot lickers on here can see what cooperation gets you here. Wardens lie, cheat, don't know the law, and get creative with body cams.
We only have a few that patrol our area and they are part of the community, If they were d!cks they would have a hard time living here seeing how many hunters and fishermen we have. I've only been checked once ice fishing and it was positive.
KenLee
WKR
Watch til the end. DNR lawyer is a smart ass about probable cause...after wardens were wrong about law forbidding what Defendant did. Every way they stated he broke law was wrong, so how did they have probable cause?
Of course, DNR lawyers are engaging in discovery abuse. I expect a nice $ sanction by Judge.
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 deal 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 of the good guys.
KenLee
WKR
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.
NRA4LIFE
WKR
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.
BBob
WKR
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 
LongWayAround
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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.
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.
oldskool67
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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.
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.
go_deep
dWKR
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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
WKR
Vs Wardens? Probably 4 dozen over last 27.5 years.
The fact he called someone boss tells me all I need to know
KsRancher
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All jokes aside. If you have been to court 48 times in 27yrs with wardens is it the wardens that are the problem?
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