How to deal with game wardens?

[mad_angler]

In another long thread, there was a general consensus to STFU and refuse to answer game wardern's questions.

I see the point but I wonder where to draw the line
M:e hello
GW: Hello, can I see you hunting license?
Me: Sure. Here it is.
GW: Where have you been hunting?
GW: How long have you been hunting today?
GW: Can I check your waterfowl shotgun to make sure you have your plug?
GW: Did you get anything?
GW: Can I see you fish/game?
GW: Do you have permission for this field? From whom?
GW: Etc. Etc

I have had many encounters. I have readily answered all those questions. The GWs always did their jobs and moved on.

It seems that refusing to answer those questions would have immediately escalated the situation.

How do other folks deal with these encounters?

 

[BadDogPSD]

Pretty much the same as you do.

 

[hiker270]

I don't talk to any law enforcement, they are not your friend and any questions are to find reason for a citation.

 

[Andrew12gauge]

I figure a game warden has a pretty tough job, they’re often approaching armed people in what can be confrontational situations. As soon as I see a warden I am doing my best to make sure and put his mind at ease that it will not be a confrontation, put a smile on my face, if I’m walking in the field I will go so far as unloading my firearm so he can see there is no ill intent from me. A friendly hello goes a long way. If you seem dodgy and skittish they are probably going to be looking for a reason to hook you up


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[Laramie]

Been hunting since the mid 80s all over this country. I haven't had a single negative encounter with a game warden. Know and follow the laws and magically you won't have any issues at all!

 

[mad_angler]

I don't talk to any law enforcement, they are not your friend and any questions are to find reason for a citation.

I assume you give them your hunting license and fish/game. I think you are required to do that.

Do you just politely refuse to answer "fishing" questions?

 

[BBob]

Can I let my dog check out the back of your truck?

NO

 

[wapitibob]

I assume you give them your hunting license and fish/game. I think you are required to do that.

Do you just politely refuse to answer "fishing" questions?

They don't ask me "leading" questions and haven't for as long as I can remember. The last WY check station I was at, they wouldn't look at my license when I tried to show it to them. I'd guess I've talked to a dozen of them over the years and have never shown my license. I was asked for it only 1 time and told him "I'd rather not" since it was in my vac sealed kill kit, in my pack, under my bow case, all of which he could see was lashed to my quad. I told him both stamps and my license were signed and that was that. We then talked corner crossing and statutes vs regulations.

 

[mtnbound]

I have nothing to hide, I am not doing anything wrong. They are doing their job to help protect the animals from people doing stupid things. I wish I saw them in the woods more because I see a lot of BS.

 

[wapitibob]

I have nothing to hide, I am not doing anything wrong. They are doing their job to help protect the animals from people doing stupid things. I wish I saw them in the woods more because I see a lot of BS.

I will see more wardens in WY in a single year than I have seen in OR in the last 10. Every one of them has been a pleasure to talk to.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

Never had a bad encounter in 20 plus years.

 

[Carr5vols]

When we were younger a group of us was deer hunting an island that split two states. We got checked i was about 13 at the time my brother was about 8 and had a sling shot...he shot the game warden right in the onions for checking us...funniest thing ever..the warden just laughed it off..

 

[taskswap]

"Yes sir" and "no sir." That's all you need to say.

That being said I've found all the ones I ran into to be very polite and helpful. Ask them a ton of questions. Lots of folks don't, and get prickly when they walk up. I got some really good data on their post-winter findings from the massive "winter kill" Colorado suffered a few years ago in the NW corner, including some tidbits that I hadn't read elsewhere.

 

[jmez]

I answer their questions. I treat them like they treat me. Always been good interactions with Game Wardens. Though they have been few. If they are an asshat I'll act accordingly. The whole do unto others thing.

 

[ethanbillingsley]

I figure it's a lot like talking to other LEO's when pulled over, etc...I answer respectfully because I don't have anything to hide. I think your personal demeanor tells more than your answer to their questions. All of my engagements have been fine. And to be honest, even when I was in the wrong, they were kind knowing I had made an honest mistake. Not withheld information or knowingly committed a wrong, just messed up. I don't know I would let them search my vehicle but I haven't been in that situation and hopefully won't be. Why show my butt to someone who could definitely make a bad morning significantly worse.

 

[Johnboy041586]

I avoid them if at all possible, and talk to them with the same level of respect the give me when I do have to deal with them. But as others mentioned, they are not your friend and should be treated with caution.

 

[S-3 ranch]

I treat them with the same amount of respect they give me
Then escalate from there
Yes , plug , game harvest , license, owner permission, no to searches of vehicles and residential area

Only problem I have had was on a pronghorn hunt in New Mexico, same GW stopped me 4 times in 3 days asking same questions license, permit, safety card. I finally got POed and said “ enough why are you harassing me? Get the F away from me “ he said he had to do his job and check to see if I had lost my permit or used it “ he was lamé brain and I filed a complaint with his supervisor

 

[CorbLand]

Answering questions to any LEO really comes down to common sense. There are reasonable questions to answer and ones that you don’t.

I got pulled over once.
Reasonable questions I got asked that warranted reasonable responses.
1. Did you know your tail light was out?
Response. I got pulled over a couple weeks ago and change the bulbs out and it was working. I wonder now if it has a short. I will work on getting that fixed.
2. Can I see your license, registration, insurance?
Response. Here you go.

Unreasonable questions
1. Why do you have a gun in the back seat?
Response. I don’t need a reason to have a firearm with me.
2. For my safety, I am wondering why you have a gun in the back seat?
Response. Do I need a reason to have a firearm in the state of Utah? I am under no legal obligation to answer that question.

Specifically for game wardens, the few interactions I have had have been positive.


You don’t need to be a dick about any of it but the amount of things people willingly offer up because “I don’t have anything to hide” is quite astonishing to me.

 

[mt terry d]

But as others mentioned, they are not your friend and should be treated with caution.

I have a friend who is a warden.

Yes, I treat him with caution; but then I treat everyone with caution.

 

[Serrano]

I was surprised in 2024 when a US forest ranger asked for my hunting license. I gave it to him but asked if that wasn't a state thing not federal. He said they all work together. No big deal but a first for me.