Checked by a Game Warden?

[oldcamper]

Been checked for both fishing and hunting. They have always been nice and curtious.

[Bean Counter]

Just once on the Olympic Peninsula. Two dudes hoped out of a blue truck and checked my licenses, rifle (not sure what they were looking for), and whether I had anything. They then gave me a map of the area and some tips. Very plesant experience. Thank you WDFW officers.

[passing-thru]

I was checked by game offices quite frequently in MT. (Always treated with respect) Also once here in WA (Also treated with respect) Only enforcement problem I have ever had came from Idaho State Patrol. The first yr i moved back to WA (1990) I had drawn a late cow permit in MT to hunt Gardner in Feb. Called MT Fish and Game to check i was still eligible to hunt and a told as long a I hadn't hunted as resident in WA I was good to go. Went on hunt, was successful, and was headed back home. On trip home had pulled over to side of road to stretch legs and take a bathroom break. As i walked back to car out of bushes Idaho State Patrol pulled in behind me. Guess this is good time to add that I had truck problem and was driving Ford Festiva. (Met hunting partner in Great Falls for trip to Gardner) As the officer walks up to car, he notice the cow stuffed inside. He does double-take and inquires about Elk. I explain situation to him with chuckle. He responds with "How do I know this Elk didn't come out of Idaho?" I again explain my position, thinking that the fact that i had MT drivers licence, MT hunting licence, MT Elk tag on animal, MT plates on vehicle, Document from check station in Gardner, that this would satisfy him. NOPE, 2 hrs later after having to find officer whose radio would ID fish and game, several late night phone calls to different agencies in both ID and MT. I was finally allowed to continue home. I was none to pleased about hour into ordeal and might have made things worse by asking officer at one point " Is everyone in ID this F*%King stupid" Anyway that's my story, not fun, but interesting none the least.  side note, I did get nice letter from MT thanking me for my coperation.

[bearpaw]

I spend so much time in the field and have been checked so many times that I know most of the wardens in all the states I hunt by first name. Most are quality people doing the job we pay them to do. On the rare occasion I meet one who is obviously not very good with the public and should have chosen a different carreer, but most are professional and courteous. 

[Secret Squirrel]

I have nothing but respect for game wardens and the job they do finding poachers and trespassers, I however am not to thrilled about being pulled over because I am wearing hunter orange... can someone help me understand under what Authority do they have the right to detain you and search your vehicle?  Is the simple act of wearing hunter orange or having a rifle in your truck reason to believe that it is loaded or you are acting illegally?  Don’t we have constitutional protection from these types of searches?

[Huntbear]

Been checked many times, however, most of the Gamies I have met are completely clueless, and seem to be more of the ticket writing variety instead of the helpful or communicative variety.  The old guard seems jaded, and the young guys coming up to eager to please the powers that be.... 

[pianoman9701]

Been checked many times, however, most of the Gamies I have met are completely clueless, and seem to be more of the ticket writing variety instead of the helpful or communicative variety.  The old guard seems jaded, and the young guys coming up to eager to please the powers that be....

That's interesting, Huntbear. I've not had that experience with any of the WA gamies who've checked me. Quite the opposite for me. It must be your area.

[doyourtime89]

I have been checked once a few years ago archery elk in the Colockum and once at a game check when my son had a youth tag in the Skookumchuck and they only opened one gate in and had to use that one going out so it was a perfect spot for a game check.  Both times we had animals and both times were good experiences with them.

[littlemac]

I've not been checked but I was in a camp this weekend that had been checked before I got there.

One of the groups had a guy on a ATV that was in camp.  Had a shotgun on the ATV and a rifle as well. 

Made it by the shotgun that was unloaded, but the rifle had cartridges in the magazine.  GW had asked if they were unloaded and the hunter responded they were.  When they checked the rifle and found it loaded there were some heated words followed by a criminal violation for giving false information to an officer.  $270.00 ticket. 

Not sure if he just pays it or if it goes further.  No confiscation though, got the ticket and the GW left.

Serves the dumba$$ right anyway running around with a loaded gun and leaving it loaded in camp IMO.

[FC]

I was pissed but drove the 2 miles back to our camp and showed her my tags.

I would have told her to eat my shorts but I always carry my license/tags...Why would you leave them somewhere when on a hunting trip?

They were in my pack back at camp, WE WERE NOT HUNTING.

Yes I get that you weren't hunting at the precise time you were stopped...You were however from your own words on a hunting trip. My question was simply: Why would you leave them somewhere when on a hunting trip? I personally don't just leave important stuff like that laying around, call me funny but that would really ruin my trip if my tag came up missing part way through because I didn't want to carry them with me.

[hoytem]

I was pissed but drove the 2 miles back to our camp and showed her my tags.

I would have told her to eat my shorts but I always carry my license/tags...Why would you leave them somewhere when on a hunting trip?

They were in my pack back at camp, WE WERE NOT HUNTING.

Yes I get that you weren't hunting at the precise time you were stopped...You were however from your own words on a hunting trip. My question was simply: Why would you leave them somewhere when on a hunting trip? I personally don't just leave important stuff like that laying around, call me funny but that would really ruin my trip if my tag came up missing part way through because I didn't want to carry them with me.

I see your point.

[wsucowboy]

Been checked a lot over the years while hunting and fishing. Never had any problems, most of them have been nice guys.

[Alphamax]

I was pissed but drove the 2 miles back to our camp and showed her my tags.

I would have told her to eat my shorts but I always carry my license/tags...Why would you leave them somewhere when on a hunting trip?

Good point you should always have your tags on you so that they don't get lost. plus the warden was hot maybe you could have gotten her number if you treated her with some respect. Ha ha ha 

They were in my pack back at camp, WE WERE NOT HUNTING.

Yes I get that you weren't hunting at the precise time you were stopped...You were however from your own words on a hunting trip. My question was simply: Why would you leave them somewhere when on a hunting trip? I personally don't just leave important stuff like that laying around, call me funny but that would really ruin my trip if my tag came up missing part way through because I didn't want to carry them with me.

I see your point.

      Good point you should always have your tags on you so that they don't get lost. plus the warden was hot maybe you could have gotten her number if you treated her with some respect. Ha ha ha  :chuckle

[Dan-o]

I've probably been checked 10-12 times over the years (hunting and fishing).   Never had a problem, although once I thought for sure I was going to get nailed.

I left my license home and when the warden walked up on 3 of us hunting and asked for our licenses the others showed them while I fumbled with my wallet.   He never got around to asking me for it since the other two showed their stuff.    I felt like a tool.   A lucky tool, but a tool none the less.

Best stop EVER was down on the Soos Creek (youth only) fishery.   My son was fishing and there were tons of adults crowding kids out of holes and just fishing where they shouldn't.   A guy walked up with all of his gear (rod, vest, etc.) and walked up and down for a bit.    Then he took off his vest which revealed that he was a warden and said   "You!.... You!.....   You!    YOU!     YOU!     You!    You!.    Get in line over here now!"    I'll bet he had 25 grown men in line and ticketed each one of them.    some of them were trying to whine their way out of it, but he was having none of it.     

The fishing was less crowded for a while after that one!   

I wanted to give the guy a hug.....   

[mrmoskillz]

I got checked 3 times this year alone.  Twice by Warden and once by Sherrif while we were parked in front of the gate by Vail.  Only the cop checked to see if the guns were loaded.  I didnt mind one bit as I hunt legal.  I asked the 2 wardens were I could find a nice trophy both said in the woods.