|
Post by coach39 on Nov 19, 2023 9:08:43 GMT -5
I have to vent for a second. My cousin has been unable to hunt during now due to his rediculious work schedule. Was finally able to go for gun opener and has been excited for weeks. He had planned on sitting all day and I told him to call if he gets one. He’s picky so I know if a call comes it’s a a good one he’s shot. Working in yard and my phone rings at 11 yesterday. I look down and seen his name so I got excited. First thing I said was how big is he. His response blew my mind. He is on public ground, said at 8:30 he heard something walking thru big woods he turned and looked and it was DNR. They came up to his stand and asked him to come down. Had him unload his gun and check his license. The dnr commended him on everything and left. My cousin was ed as he had already had 2 other people walk near his stand at daylight. He got down and went to his truck. Went down the road a little ways and saw a parking spot where no one was parked at. He decided to park there and go back in the woods and sit on ground. He said an hour or so later he heard something and thru his binoculars saw the same dnr guy walking on the next ridge over. Said he packed his stuff up and left. 100 mile drive both ways to where he hunts. I appreciate what they do and understand what they do. But to be walking all over a woods on opening morning of gun right after daylight I think is complete bullcrap
|
|
|
Post by whitetaildave24 on Nov 19, 2023 9:26:08 GMT -5
I understand the frustration, but that’s their job and that morning is when the most people are in the woods. Therefore, the best time for them to check for law breakers.
|
|
|
Post by huntnandplumbn on Nov 19, 2023 10:25:57 GMT -5
That’s completely ridiculous. I completely understand that’s their right to do so but they can patrol those lots just as easy and way more efficiently all the while not screwing up someone’s hunt.
|
|
|
Post by ifd179 on Nov 19, 2023 10:51:51 GMT -5
I would complain to their superior. There is zero reason for any of then to walk into the woods unless they see something illegal. They can wait by vehicles when hunters exit the woods to check any liscence info. This is a few of the many reasons people hate DNR.
|
|
|
Post by greghopper on Nov 19, 2023 11:20:13 GMT -5
I would complain to their superior. There is zero reason for any of then to walk into the woods unless they see something illegal. They can wait by vehicles when hunters exit the woods to check any liscence info. This is a few of the many reasons people hate DNR. So if you’re fishing they have no right to check someone they should just check folks at boat ramp? I say someone probably called them reporting a problem so they came out IMO
|
|
|
Post by BigJLocke on Nov 19, 2023 11:41:35 GMT -5
I would complain to their superior. There is zero reason for any of then to walk into the woods unless they see something illegal. They can wait by vehicles when hunters exit the woods to check any liscence info. This is a few of the many reasons people hate DNR. So if you’re fishing they have no right to check someone they should just check folks at boat ramp? I say someone probably called them reporting a problem so they came out IMO If they check them at the boat ramp, then there is no need to check them while they’re fishing…..
|
|
|
Post by genesis273 on Nov 19, 2023 11:46:40 GMT -5
I understand the frustration. However, they have a job to do. People are hunting the property that they are expected to patrol and inspect. It's their job to play referee out there. That's every bit as part of public land hunting as other hunters moving through. But, not only do the CO's have the right to check on hunters at their stands, they have an obligation.
By all means, file a complaint with his supervisor. But, what you feel is a complaint, his superior will probably view it as compliment of his subordinate doing his job and doing it well.
I'm sorry he felt like his hunt was disturbed.
|
|
|
Dnr
Nov 19, 2023 11:49:47 GMT -5
via mobile
genesis273 likes this
Post by greghopper on Nov 19, 2023 11:49:47 GMT -5
So if you’re fishing they have no right to check someone they should just check folks at boat ramp? I say someone probably called them reporting a problem so they came out IMO If they check them at the boat ramp, then there is no need to check them while they’re fishing….. Unless you’re checking fish size and limits
|
|
|
Post by BigJLocke on Nov 19, 2023 12:03:17 GMT -5
If they check them at the boat ramp, then there is no need to check them while they’re fishing….. Unless you’re checking fish size and limits Which can be checked upon your return to the boat ramp……
|
|
|
Post by genesis273 on Nov 19, 2023 12:11:18 GMT -5
Unless you’re checking fish size and limits Which can be checked upon your return to the boat ramp…… Which allows too much time for violators to get rid of evidence. While I don't always agree with the process, they have a tough job to do.
|
|
|
Post by BigJLocke on Nov 19, 2023 12:15:33 GMT -5
Which can be checked upon your return to the boat ramp…… Which allows too much time for violators to get rid of evidence. While I don't always agree with the process, they have a tough job to do. Not to beat this already dying horse, but if the fish don’t make it to the boat ramp, there is no violation. Check the hunters at their vehicles and check them again when they’re done. The officer was out there checking licenses, not dead animals.
|
|
|
Post by genesis273 on Nov 19, 2023 12:38:27 GMT -5
Which allows too much time for violators to get rid of evidence. While I don't always agree with the process, they have a tough job to do. Not to beat this already dying horse, but if the fish don’t make it to the boat ramp, there is no violation. Check the hunters at their vehicles and check them again when they’re done. The officer was out there checking licenses, not dead animals. So you're aloud to posses over limits on the water but, not at the boat ramp? Interesting. Maybe It's that logic that has them checking boats on the water.
|
|
|
Post by BigJLocke on Nov 19, 2023 12:51:20 GMT -5
Why would you take more than the limit of fish just to drop them back in the water before you leave? Is catch and release not legal anymore?
|
|
|
Post by stevein on Nov 19, 2023 13:01:35 GMT -5
No problem with them checking when I am fishing or hunting. Fishing I ask if they stumbled across a hot spot. Hunting I try to send them in a direction where I might benefit. With all the minutia laws on deer hunting I understand why they are out in the field.
In all my life I have only ran across one what I would call a bad officer. From the rumor mill (pre internet) up around Wawasee he was "retired" due to customer complaints. Really the number of times I have been checked is almost a zero.
As far as checking at parking lots and ramps I cannot think of a bigger waste of time. Presence in the field is a better as far as seeing what might be happening. Pull in if they see someone getting in or going out is ok to me.
I am sorry for your cousin's luck. CO's just doing their job.
|
|
|
Post by genesis273 on Nov 19, 2023 13:04:37 GMT -5
Why would you take more than the limit of fish just to drop them back in the water before you leave? Is catch and release not legal anymore? Catch and release is perfectly legal. But, and I know this may be hard to believe, some guys put more than the daily limits in their live wells. We're just going to have to agree to disagree on the topic. My stance is, CO's have a tough job. And I'm not about to tell them how to do it.
|
|
|
Post by BigJLocke on Nov 19, 2023 13:09:31 GMT -5
I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that live wells couldn’t be checked when the boat gets pulled out of the water. They should change that rule then.
Just seems to me that walking all over the woods, you may run into a couple of hunters, but at the trail head, you can run into all of them. Just seems to me that you would have more luck catching violations if you had more contact with more hunters.
|
|
|
Post by BigJLocke on Nov 19, 2023 13:11:26 GMT -5
But then again, I guess it is hard to poach deer when you have someone walking every square inch of the habitat. So maybe he’s just being proactive 🤷♂️
|
|
|
Post by michaelc on Nov 19, 2023 13:23:11 GMT -5
I've had the very same thing happen to me at Saddle Lake, but it was my 1st ever gun hunt there (11 yrs ago). I was using a climbing stand and I no sooner got scooted 20ft in the tree, and I heard something heading my way. It was about 30 minutes after daylight, so I thought I might have caught the attention of a deer. I got situated and had my gun ready for the action, when I heard a deep loud voice say Indiana Conservation, how you doing this morning. I need for you to climb down so I can do a equipment and license check please sir. Yes it's aggravating, Yes, it seems unnecessary and Yes, you wish he hadn't done that, but at the end of the day, hunting is a Privilege not a Right. How many times have any of us seen folks do illegal things, and WISH for a CO to be around? I know I have, but that's not always the case. It's their job to make sure we're obeying their regulations, and they already have your vehicle description so probably won't be bothering you anymore.
|
|
|
Post by michaelc on Nov 19, 2023 13:30:10 GMT -5
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think a CO ranks higher than a US Marshall and can even go on private land without probable cause. Unless who I heard that from was pulling my leg, but nonetheless I'm not jeopardizing my love for the outdoors to be doing anything silly
|
|
|
Post by ifd179 on Nov 19, 2023 13:36:02 GMT -5
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think a CO ranks higher than a US Marshall and can even go on private land without probable cause. Unless who I heard that from was pulling my leg, but nonetheless I'm not jeopardizing my love for the outdoors to be doing anything silly Your buddy was partly correct. They can come onto private property without a warranty but they most certainly have to have probable cause. And that would only be specific to hunting/fishing laws.
|
|