How to deal with game wardens?

[BuckSmasher]

All good here. Ive had just a couple of interactions hunting. My dad worked for the SDGFP as a pilot and while they mostly did predator control, he did fly during the seasons looking for game violations, and would vector the game wardens in if he saw something he suspected. He also occasionally flew at night looking for spotlighters. That said our game warden lived just up the street and we grew up with his kids. He was tough, but as long as you werent blatantly doing anything illegal he gave you the benefit of the doubt. His son that is my age is still a game warden and is highly regarded.

Only other interactions were on the water. We got nabbed once for standing up in the boat while underway, rough water with a lot of debris so we were looking out for it. Don't think we got a ticket. Also had several safety checks at the ramp. No issues there either.

Have also gotten some good hunting tips from CO's in Colorado too.

Standing up while underway is against the law? How are you supposed to do it in a center console with leaning post?

 

[mtwarden]

Standing up while underway is against the law? How are you supposed to do it in a center console with leaning post?

Especially in a jet boat, where in many waters dodging rocks is the most important navigation you’ll do

 

[Shootinsurveyor]

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.

 

[KurtR]

Especially in a jet boat, where in many waters dodging rocks is the most important navigation you’ll do

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 here

 

[KenLee]

Goo

This is worth a look or three ...

South Carolina "night hunting" ....

SC hunter suing DNR in a civil suit for wrongful arrest and imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and defamation.

Good guy arrested. I’ve had him and Dad kill yotes. The wardens are scum.

 

[MallardSX2]

Goo
Good guy arrested. I’ve had him and Dad kill yotes. The wardens are scum.

Wow. This doesn't surprise me at all.

The guy should have done a better job of exercising his rights though.

 

[KenLee]

Wow. This doesn't surprise me at all.

The guy should have done a better job of exercising his rights though.

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.

 

[IdahoElk]

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]

Wow. This doesn't surprise me at all.

The guy should have done a better job of exercising his rights though.

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.

 

[philos]

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.

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]

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.

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]

Wardens lie, cheat, don't know the law, and get creative with body cams.

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]

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]

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.

 

[oldskool67]

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.

Dang, how many times you been to court ?

 

[wyojdubya]

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.