How to deal with game wardens?

[nomadicbohunk]

Pro tip:

I have worked with a lot of game wardens, both federal and state. My one good buddy from growing up is a game warden as well. Something I never thought about in the past was how hard their job is if poaching is socially ingrained in an areas.

I've been checked a ton. I do more hunting and fishing than most. I've only had one bad experience and that was special. I'll get back to that guy. I keep a paper copy of my hunter's safety and every single license and tag for that year in a single ziplock with my driver's license. That's kept me from a ticket or two if I was missing something. Usually they're like, what's all that. I say it's all my licenses for the year and a few lifetimes. They're like, ok duder, you have like 6 licenses in here. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt for everything. Then they want to chat. I've had some super good experiences with them. The ziplock thing started just to keep them all straight and together. I put my driver's license in and hunter's safety too.

The negative experience: Pushing 20 years ago I worked in a federal office with one law enforcement guy. I don't know how, but he actually paid his own money to have a wrap put on his federal vehicle to make it a giant American flag. Everyone thought it was ridiculous and the guy was actually a fascist. I asked one of the secretaries about the wrap and she said they just kind of gave up and let him do it. He also looked exactly...and I mean exactly like Farva from Super Troopers. I also remember his reflective aviators had an American flag strap on them. So he came into the office one day happy as a freaking clam going on about hippies and narco gangs. He also strip searched these guys or took the door panels off their truck or something beyond ridiculous like that. He had busted some 19 year olds camping with a dime bag. Even the hardcore better than thou mormons were like, uh wtf? In that office when we'd go out hunting we'd find out where he was planning on patrolling and avoid it as we didn't want to deal with him at all. I will never forget that man.

 

[Fetty Wapiti]

If you are having trouble with wardens you are 100% doing something wrong. If you dont work with them you are simply painting yourself as guilty and they dig. It is their job. Simple fix... follow the regs, answer their questions, and carry on enjoying the outdoors.

 

[2531usmc]

To be honest, I’m kinda surprised at the amount of hard feelings towards the game wardens.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Most people dislike law enforcement of any kind, until they have a time sensitive personal need for them.

 

[Jimmy]

I even watched one open a bag of doritos during teal season to search for God knows what.

 

[Bubblehide]

@HvyBeams peaked again, but still nothing to say. What's up with that.

 

[MallardSX2]

To be honest, I’m kinda surprised at the amount of hard feelings towards the game wardens.

If you ever dealt with many Game Wardens in Western Pennsylvania in the last 40 years, you would for sure be tainted....

Outside of PA, I have had GREAT experiences, except for the JERK that checked my bear in Colorado. But I heard he retired.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Maybe it was mentioned already but if people don’t know, statistically there are as many or more poached animals than legally harvested ones. I’ve called in a bunch of them myself. With that in mind, I fully support wardens doing their best to catch poachers. Poachers are literally stealing from all of us. It’s not that hard to follow the regs and comply. Anyone that doesn’t like wardens on principle is sus.

 

[MeatMissile]

The guys assigned to my area are pretty squared away. We’ve even had them join us on a few operations where we were fairly certain game violations would be present. Using their jurisdiction can be helpful for other stuff.

 

[3325]

Claude Dallas had a unique way of dealing with overbearing wardens......

Brian Baker is our local game warden in Fremont County, Wyoming. I don’t know him personally. But if I happen upon anyone trying to “deal with” Brian in the field the way Claude Dallas thought he had to “deal with” those “overbearing” Idaho wardens, I will have Brian’s back.

I’m 59, with a back, shoulder, and knee surgery. So perhaps I won’t amount to enough to concern you. But then again, maybe I might.

 

[HvyBeams]

@Hvybyou peaked again, but still nothing to say. What's up with that.

At least tag me properly if you are obsessed with a response. It takes time to read things, have a doctor's appointment, go to lunch, and do some actual work. Plus you said this back and forth is pointless. I see that you are using other's people's links and not providing your own, but I'm not surprised.

The Pickle case was reversed and remanded to the lower court, i.e. the game cop was in the wrong. This has to do with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine. The reason those charges came about was due to an administrative inquiry to check hunting license and shotgun plug check. As far as the warden going into bags as described, we don't know if he had verbal consent because that wasn't a consideration. I write that to say I never said a game warden can't approach you and check your hunting/fishing license. In fact, I stated they can make a traffic stop if state statute allows and also conduct game check stations to check your license and demand game in your possession. They can check the plug in your shotgun and draw weight on your bow. Those are certainly different than searching a vehicle, your person, coolers, or backpack with no probable cause.

As far as a brief from 1985, it holds no bearing in today's world due to more up to date decisions. Since 1985 states like WY have a constitutional right to hunt and fish. Also, decisions in the 10th Circuit, specifically Gant Vs Arizona limited search incident to arrest. Search incident to arrest was specifically noted in the 1985 brief. On a side note, the Wyoming law that is quoted in the 1985 brief requires PROBABLE CAUSE to search. I never got back to the VA law that was mentioned in the brief.

This case is interesting. It was referenced in the Pickle decision and had to deal with safety checks, i.e. administrative investigations, from Arkansas GF. Spoiler alert, the Arkansas GF violated the 4th Amendment. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/ar-supreme-court/1623125.html

 

[mattflipper]

Look up the Ryan Warden (this is his last name and he’s not a game warden) story. Or the Jeff Foyles story. You can listen to the Ryan Warden story on the End of the Line waterfowl podcast and you’ll have an entirely different view of them. Like may have said above, they aren’t your friend.

He lost nearly everything he had because he trusted some wardens he thought were friends.

 

[Dos XX]

Claude Ledbetter knew how to deal with them.

 

[cnelk]

Here’s an old GW story…

I grew up fishing on Lake of the Woods MN many years ago.

In the winter, there are ‘cities’ of shanty’s and ice houses for fishermen.

We would be sitting in a shanty and all of a sudden a snowmobile would roll up, and the GW would burst through the door to check us for too many fish or too many rods.

Well, after I moved away, story has it that one time a GW rolled up to a shanty on his snowmobile, burst through the door to check the fishermen.
He actually witnessed/caught two guys in a ‘non-fishing compromising position’.

They sued. And won.
And now a GW has to knock before entry to an ice shanty.

 

[LongWayAround]

Look up the Ryan Warden (this is his last name and he’s not a game warden) story. Or the Jeff Foyles story. You can listen to the Ryan Warden story on the End of the Line waterfowl podcast and you’ll have an entirely different view of them. Like may have said above, they aren’t your friend.

He lost nearly everything he had because he trusted some wardens he thought were friends.

Jeff Foiles is your example?

Dude is a total POS.

 

[Bubblehide]

At least tag me properly if you are obsessed with a response. It takes time to read things, have a doctor's appointment, go to lunch, and do some actual work. Plus you said this back and forth is pointless. I see that you are using other's people's links and not providing your own, but I'm not surprised.

The Pickle case was reversed and remanded to the lower court, i.e. the game cop was in the wrong. This has to do with felon in possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine. The reason those charges came about was due to an administrative inquiry to check hunting license and shotgun plug check. As far as the warden going into bags as described, we don't know if he had verbal consent because that wasn't a consideration. I write that to say I never said a game warden can't approach you and check your hunting/fishing license. In fact, I stated they can make a traffic stop if state statute allows and also conduct game check stations to check your license and demand game in your possession. They can check the plug in your shotgun and draw weight on your bow. Those are certainly different than searching a vehicle, your person, coolers, or backpack with no probable cause.

As far as a brief from 1985, it holds no bearing in today's world due to more up to date decisions. Since 1985 states like WY have a constitutional right to hunt and fish. Also, decisions in the 10th Circuit, specifically Gant Vs Arizona limited search incident to arrest. Search incident to arrest was specifically noted in the 1985 brief. On a side note, the Wyoming law that is quoted in the 1985 brief requires PROBABLE CAUSE to search. I never got back to the VA law that was mentioned in the brief.

This case is interesting. It was referenced in the Pickle decision and had to deal with safety checks, i.e. administrative investigations, from Arkansas GF. Spoiler alert, the Arkansas GF violated the 4th Amendment. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/ar-supreme-court/1623125.html

You are obviously missing what others are clearly seeing, is that purposeful on your part?

The case you bring up clearly does not apply to what I have been saying. Furthermore, not that it applies to what I have been saying or not, as it again clearly doesn't, but it is vague as to where the boat was, I e , on the water, on a trailer, parked, being operated... however, if the guy was pulled over, and Wardens found illegal fish, a conviction would have been made, and upheld, based on what I have said. But I have no doubt, you will continue to take and use things out of context, obscure the actual facts, and totally fail to consider anything that you do not curently believe. And, that is okay with me; you are entitled to believe what you want to believe, no matter how wrong you are.

 

[JustABritCrazy]

In the late 90s PA had a 3 day antlerless season. Last day of said season my uncle and I are back at the truck around lunch time. We had just dragged and loaded up 3 deer. Figured we would eat lunch and head home to skin and quarter. We are parked near an intersection and uncle looks up and says here comes the GW. He’s probably going to stop, visit and check us. We had been dealing with the same warden for over 15 years so we all knew one another and we had everything correct so no skin off our noses. GW has checked us multiple times over the years, never had reason to cite us for anything and we generally had a good visit whenever he checked us. Truck with moron number 1 drives by from the dead end towards the intersection. You can deer hooves sticking up over the truck bed. GW lights up him to check him. Both of them are now parked on the road blocking us from leaving. Moron 1 has not tagged his dead deer. GW cites him.

As that is finishing up a herd of deer runs up and stops about 50 yards from the intersection. Morons 2 and 3 are driving down the road, see the deer and don’t see the GW. Window goes down, rifle comes out, uncle says this going to be entertaining, bang, bang. One deer drops in its tracks, other runs towards the four of us, me, uncle, GW, and Moron 1 and drops 20 yards away. Morons 2 and 3 walk to the dead deer and realize GW has watched the whole episode. Multiple violations, shooting from vehicle loaded guns in vehicle, no orange etc. GW finishes with Moron 1 and starts with Morons 2 and 3. Moron 1 starts talking to me and uncle on what an a-hole GW is. Uncle asked him why he didn’t tag the deer, Moron 1 shuts up and got back in his truck.

Meanwhile Moron 4 is coming from the same direction as GW. Sees the cluster and tells 14 year old son to unload his rifle. Kid shoots through the floor board. No allowed to have a loaded gun in vehicle while hunting. GW finishes with 2 and 3 and starts on 4. GW confiscates the 3 dead deer and sends morons on their way. Heads our way to check us. Uncle says he going to be in a surly mood after dealing with mess we just witnessed and he was, but didn’t give us any grief as We’re fine. Help him load the dead deer. Told us we were the first hunters he checked that day that he didn’t cite. Just shook his head, thanked us for the help and went on his way.

Said GW had a local reputation for being a hard nosed, humorless prick. That usually came from the individuals who ran afoul with him over various violations. We never had a bad experience. If I had to deal with what I witnessed on a daily basis I think I would have a pretty short leash with everyone

 

[3325]

Said GW had a local reputation for being a hard nosed, humorless prick.

From people like Morons 1, 2, 3, and 4.

That usually came from the individuals who ran afoul with him over various violations.

They tend to tell their stories from their perspectives in the bar or cafe. And when telling their stories, they make incredible amounts of sense to themselves.

We never had a bad experience.

Nor have I.

If I had to deal with what I witnessed on a daily basis I think I would have a pretty short leash with everyone

Again, if the warden checked you, from your perspective it likely stood out as the thing that happened in your world that day. From his perspective, you were one of a dozen or so things that happened in his world that day. After a few years on the job, it’s a wonder they ever manage to be cordial to anyone at all. Yet, for the most part, they do.

 

[Idaboy]

"deal"....implies a problem....simple respect and go about your business and allow them to do theirs......"how do you 'deal' with whomever....neighbor, police,parents, teacher etc etc."....if you go into it thinking its a problem, you're starting off on the wrong foot....know the laws and your rights and you really have nothing to be concerned with....,. I've had plenty of interactions with fish and game in many states, never had to "deal" with any of them

 

[huntineveryday]

Wardens help protect the resources I love, so I show them respect and make sure to thank them. They have a job to do, so if I see one coming I unload my gun, keep the chamber open, and get what they need to see ready. I've only had one negative experience, the warden was just short, grumpy, and kind of an ass...but I had nothing but good experiences with the same warden for years after that, so I'll chalk it up to the fact that we all have bad days and that must have been one of his.

One day a buddy and I are picking up decoys, shin deep water. Warden walks up in hip waders, starts walking out towards us. We look at each other and smirk, wondering if we should let him walk through the waist deep hole between him and us or not...then we stopped him and walked towards him. His eyes got pretty big when he saw us walk through the low spot, commenting that we may have kept his socks dry. We had nothing but positive from him from then on!