After reading blackeye.......

[M.R.Fish]

After reading blackeye, it comes to mind that I have two stories of the same nature, including the out come. I was give a ticket for under sided fish while running a fisheries study for the state wildlife dept.. The arresting officer also released the fish in question and issued a ticket. Upon appearing in court the judge informed be that the ticket was given in error although it was not dismissed and a minimum $25 fine was paid by me to simplfiy the issue. The tournament officials at the next state tourney would not allow me to enter, saying that I had displayed unsportmens like conduct, the local fishing club asked to have me removed from their rolls and I was publicly embarressed. I had to return to court amd plead for removal of the ticket which the judge did and my professional crediblity was restored after a great deal of lauandry was aired under public watchful eye.
Last year I asked to have two hunters removed from my property for tresspass and the same officer issued me a ticket for hunter harrassment, saying I had no right to have anyone removed from the property and that my deeds were not valid. After a lengthy discussion with the county attorney the charges were dismissed against me but the two tresspassers went free. I had to file charges against the office for breach of justice and abuse of powers, which are still pending.
The real point is not who is right or wrong in these situations,rather who wins or who looses. Answer, we all do because these are issues related to our common freedom to use our natural resoures adside of the social enginering and politics. Got a story I'd like to hear yours.


the're always bittin'

[sib]

geez, i remember when dnr folks were one of us sports people. i once had nothing but respect for them, and as a teenager thought about becoming one for a profession. glad i didn't go into that line of work, i wouldn't wanna play on that team!

"go outside and play"
sib

[Hans]

LAST EDITED ON May-01-01 AT 12:48PM (CST)[p]Just to set the record straight.......

I am not a DNR officer and do not play one on TV, but in over 50 years of hunting and fishing, I have not encountered a single conservation officer who did not treat me in a completely fair, polite, lawful, and professional manner. In the single case where a "ticket was issued" (my son had an over-slot walleye in the livewell) the officer did his job politely and without harrassment.

In other cases (abusive parties of deer hunters) I have observed conservation officers put their skin on the line to protect our wild game resources.

Last summer, on a local lake, two conservations officers on wetbikes were doing routine patrol, checking licenses, etc. When they left my boat and went to the adjacent fishing boat (a nicely equipped Tyee) the two embarked geezers launched into a hostile foul-mouthed tirade about taxpayers money wasted on DNR salaries, DNR watercraft, etc., etc. Both officers continued to be polite in their duties. If it had been me, I'd would never have kept my cool, but these two professionals just took the abuse in stride.

Had to get it off my chest.

Hans

[tbomn]

I have to agree with Hans, I have never had a CO treat me rudely, or without respect. I have never got a ticket, or been doing anything wrong...but have been stopped for license and boat checks. I have to respect those folks for what they do, although I don't always agree with the policies of the DNR.

"I respect faith, but doubt is what gives you an education."
Wilson Mizner

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[Goldpig]

I have only been stopped a few times while fishing. The last time I was stopped the officer seemed a little edgy. He asked to see my license, which I showed him. He then asked if I had any fish onboard, which I told him I didn't and opened up my livewell. He then told me to enjoy my day. Which I replied, "thank you, it is nice to know that there are people like you checking to make sure everyone is playing by the rules." He went on to tell me that the last few people he checked were upset that they were "inconvienced" by getting stopped, and was tickled that I thanked him. I guess my point is that if more of us would thank the officers for doing their job instead of complaining about a slight inconvenience, maybe there would be less edgy DNR guys out there!

[curt quesnell]

i have never had trouble with any game wardens. i believe
they must have to absorb huge amounts of guff and crap on
a daily basis so, when a hear one of the horror stories
about a raging wild game warden i have to wonder what may
have happened to push the guy (or gal) over the edge.

anyone that goes off a gamewarden, cop or highway patrol
is really asking for trouble, and really deserves it. your
best play, by far is to do what you are told to do and be
polite.

not that you cant have a bad experiance anyway but at least
you wont bring it on yourself.


you dont get thru customs by berating the border guard.

curt quesnell

[cmb]

something we should do for all law and saftey officers!!

Thank them for serving us and our interests and give them the respect they deserve. many of these officers have resigned themselves to having a low or lower paying job so that they can do their part. this holds for DNR and EPA employees as well as some members of the park service, secret service....

I know several people who gave up their lucrative careers to have a low/lower paying job that makes a difference.
a CPA working for the Secret Service, A top research scientist working for the EPA, several good consultants working for DNR, Fish and Wildlife, and EPA.

[Box]

I spent a couple days with some CO's, and they were very friendly to everybody. I also have been checked fishing and hunting plenty, and they usually are quite cordial, but often not "talkative". They just do their job and move on, and I am glad they do. They talk to plenty people each day who who rather not see a warden, so you can see how their demeanor can be cordial, if not nice.

With that said, my story is goose hunting at Lac QuiParle about 15 years ago. We saw the warden coming, so we got our licenses out. We were in private blinds, so we had our shell boxes there. Well, the warden went through all our shells, and my Dad had his big box with him (to sit on), and the warden found one shell out of about 10 boxes (he checked each darn shell...) which was lead - and it was a 2 3/4 inch 8 shot... obviously in there by mistake. All the others were steel. That shell cost my Dad $50. Technically he had an illegal shell. He paid his fine and didn't gripe, but come on... you aren't going to shoot an 8shot at geese... heh. Oh well. One bad time out of many good checks isn't bad. Oh yeah, a CO ran over one of our markers once and just looked back and kept going. Glad he retired! :)

I like seeing wardens, cause we don't do stuff wrong, and I like telling them to have a nice day.

Good fishing,
Box

[GullGuide]

Apparently none of you lived around Bemidji over 5 years ago. The C.O. up there went out of his way to be an A-Hole, and was almost always rude. Here's a little story...
My friends and I were deer hunting north of Bemidji. It was about noon and I decided to go and pick up my buddies for lunch. I got out of the stand, jumped into my truck and proceeded to go and pick them up from the areas they were hunting in. As I picked up the last of our party, I looked in the rear view mirror and saw a fast approaching vehicle with it's red lights flashing. I pulled over and out jumped the C.O. He ran up to my truck and yelled at me that he wanted to see our weapons. We got out, he checked the rifles, even smelled them for powder, then, without a warrent he started to search my truck for empty shells. I asked what was going on and he told me that he had just gotten a report about us shooting deer off the road. I said that was impossible because we had been on stand all morning and were just going in for lunch. He kept insisting that we had shot off the road and that he wanted a confession immediately. I told him that he must be nuts, and that is when he changed his tune. He then said, "well, I've had reports of a white truck shooting off the road.", I then said "well, how many white trucks do you think are in Minnesota?", he then had the nerve to ask, "well, have YOU SEEN any white trucks driving around?" I could not believe this guy!! He then told us we were free to go and to call him if we saw any other white trucks.
Needless to say, he is no longer a CO in the Bemidji area.
>"////=<

[water_wolf]

Geeez another nasty DNR story. I guess that we in NYS have it made. I have had several NYSDEC officers check me for licsence and check my livewells. I am always respective and courteous to these people and I get the same in return. Have even befriended a couple. These people even take time out to shoot the breeze on occasion. They are generally nice people doing a thankless task. Take time to thank them for their efforts of protecting OUR natural resources. Imagine what it would be like without them.

Rich

[Hawgeye]

To add to this post, I think there are either quotas for some or something. I have been up to Traverse Bay on lake Winnipeg several times and it seems that every year I have been checked at least once. The CO's have always been great guys and cordial not to mention fair. I have always tried to follow the law. One time I had a rod in the locker with jig and the barb was not pinched. The CO officer warned me, said that I was obviously not intentionally leaving the barb in tact. It helped that there were 7 other rods with lures and jigs with all of the barbs pinched in the boat.

In contrast, there is an a$$hole in Otter Tail County that has a vendetta for fisherman. I was at Lake Lida fishing for Crappies just before the walleye opener. I had caught 30 crappies and was carefully measureing each one to make sure they were legal (11" minimum). I had 3 in the livewell that were just over 11" and the rest that I caught and released were around 10". He had already checked me for my license twice that same day and watched me all day. I knew he was watching so I made sure the fish were legal. When he checked my fish, he pulled out his homeade measuring board, slammed the mouth of the fish against the stop and measured 10 3/4". He was able to squeeze them all to be under 11. He proceded to give me a 10 minute lecture while his boat scratched the paint on my boat and gave me a ticket. By the time he was done I was ready to tell him to f*** off and just give me a ticket. I held my cool and decided to never keep another crappie let alone do any more crappie fishing in that county!!!!

[M.R.Fish]

The post is not to discredit the fine work that the sereral hundred DNR officers in serveral states that I have had the pleasure of working professionally with and consider friends. Rather to insure that the political railroad is not a smooth ride, to at will assinate professionals and organizations on the water. Good one box, keep smilin' they'll wonder want you been up to!

[Marken]

I agree Hans. The only bad thing about the blackeye thread is the warden didn't get a chance to tell his side of the story. Would be really interesting to hear his side. Maybe things are not what they appear...

[jigemup]

I fished the PWT tournament in SD and my thoughts about what happend are: The PWT staff is not to blame, the fisherman are. There were 150 pro's and only three pro's were cited and disqualified. You do the math!!!!! I was disapointed in the actions of the SD DNR I was in a line of 20 pro boats and a few local boats and new Ranger boat from Iowa with three people in it and the DNR checked all the pro boats and drove right by the local boats and the new Ranger from Iowa. I hope we never go back because I feel we were not made welcome and singled out.

[harv]

the head of the Minnesota DNR doesnt hunt or fish..
i know some people on the inside and they said hes a jerk

[GullGuide]

I was once told by a friend that works for the DNR that some higher-ups within the office frown on those employees who hunt and fish. Even the CO's are discouraged from hunting and fishing. Too bad. Maybe that is why the DNR oftentimes implements policies and does things that just dont make any sense. As a whole they are doing a good job, but sometimes you just have to scratch your head and say what the heck were they thinking?
>"////=<

[Dodge1]

In my dealings with DNR officers in the states and Canada I have yet to meet one that was not professional and courteous.

As you all know game wardens are; please check all that apply.

1. Overpaid
2. Work 9 to 5 with a break for lunch
3. Receive overtime and generous benefits
4. Have weekends off to be with their families
5. Get 30-day vacations
6. Are never on call 24 hours a day
7. Don’t have to think about getting killed in the line of duty
8. Never have to deal with irate people, who may be carrying guns.

Are there problem employees in the DNR – yes! Are there problem officers in the police department, fire departments, Kmart’s, city halls, any large business, a lot of small business, everywhere?

Sorry for going off the handle but as you figured out by now, I think we should salute 99.8% of all the people who work for the DNR and especially those on the front line.

[Jim O]

Sounds like Mr Fish got caught up in some bad situations.
I don't know what state your in but I will weigh in by stating that the Wisconsn DNR enforcement has always treated me and those I know fairly. I have not witnessed "power trips'. My experiences have reflected officers educating where needed. These folks are not hightly paid for the hours spent on the job. I believe it is more a labor of love than a job for many of these folks. I don't know any of these folks personnally, but my encounters hunting, fishing and boating have been positive and I am encouraged when I read about violaters being nailed.
My two cents,
Jim Ordway

[Hans]

I'm not sure Mr. Fish is working with a full tackle box.

Hans

[jimbo2]

Heres a nice game warden story!

A man was stopped by a game-warden in Ontario Canada
recently with two buckets of fish leaving a lake well known for
its
fishing. The game warden asked the man, "Do you have a license
to
catch
those fish?" The man replied to the game warden, "No, sir.
These
are
my pet fish."

"Pet fish?!" the warden replied.
"Yes, sir. Every night I take these here fish down to the
lake and let them swim around for a while. I whistle and they
jump
back into their buckets, and I take em home."
"That's a bunch of hooey! Fish can't do that!"

The man looked at the game warden for a moment, and then
said, "Here, I'll show you. It really works."
"O.K. I've GOT to see this!." The game warden was curious now.

The man poured the fish in to the river and stood and waited.
After several minutes, the game warden turned to the man
and said, "Well."

"Well, What?" the man responded.

"When are you going to call them back?" The game warden
prompted.

"Call who back?" The man asked.

"The FISH."

"What fish?" The man asked

I may have to try that one!!!

[Dave in Mpls]

I attended a meeting this past fall/winter regarding the slot limit on Mille Lacs. More than one CO present felt that a new slot limit would be harder to enforce because "We're use to measureing 14-18" fish".

I sure hope these intellectual dynamoes are the exception....

[Box]

Too bad ol' Joe Alexander isn't still around. He DID hunt and fish, and rose through the ranks from grunt status. He knew hunters and anglers.

All you have to do is read the transcript from the StarTrib meeting between Dennis Anderson and the "Gov" (heh) and his DNR appointee to get a picture of our fearless leaders.

Box in MN

[ufda]

Some of them even have a sense of humor. I've told this story before, but ... My partner and I were fishing White Bear Lake just after ice out for crappies. Colder than ...! We had caught many fish on pinky jigs and bobbers (floats for you purists). But we had only kept 28 (2 less than the limit in case we had miscounted. Up comes the warden and asks us for our licenses which are under layers of clothes including snow mobile suits. Partner says, "lets see your badge first." So the warden digs through his layers of clothing and comes up with his badge and ID. We then produce our licenses. Then the warden says, "how many fish to you have?" We respond with 28. He then says, "dump them out and count them so I can see." Partner hands him the cooler and says, "here you go. I'm not going to get my boat all slimy since I know how many we have. You can count them." Warden sighs and counts 28. Thanks us and leaves. Please understand, neither partner nor I were rude. Everything was done with a smile. But, here's the best part. Next day, same scenario except this time yesterday's warden has a young partner running the boat and he is sitting in back. Young warden goes through the same routine and so do we with the older warden sitting in back GRINNING! Young warden sees this and asks, "Do you know these guys?" He responds with a laugh and says, "yep. Went through all of this yesterday."
The next weekend they checked lots of other boats and waved as they went by us. :-) I've always found game wardens cordial including the one that gave me a ticket 35 years ago for fishing for northerns with two lines on Pelican by Orr. Just doing a job, but when he said, "your fishing with two lines." I simply admitted my guilt and took my pain. Never knowingly broke the law again. Good luck and stay straight!
ufda