Post by: Rainier10 on December 07, 2020, 03:35:04 PM
I have interacted with multiple game wardens over the past 30 years and I would have to say for the most part they have been positive.
I haven't always liked what they had to say or what they could or couldn't enforce but I appreciate their passion for the job they do as thankless as I am sure it can be at times.
I would like to give a big shout out to Officer Brent Scherzinger, Officer Courtney Nasset, Officer Will Smith, Officer Tucker(can't remember his first name) and now retired Officer Grant (I don't recall his last name).
All of these officers have always been friendly and a pleasure to deal with.
Post by: Dan-o on December 07, 2020, 03:39:23 PM
I've never had a bad experience in almost 50 years of hunting
All have been professional.
Some have been really helpful.
I'm sure they are not all good.... but the ones I run into are.
Post by: OutHouse on December 07, 2020, 03:44:06 PM
Told us to tip the fly/hook with a pautzke or a maggot and to release the trout. Told us we may catch some big trout but just to handle them safely and put them back in the river. And off he went. It was a pleasant experience to say the least.
Post by: BD1 on December 07, 2020, 04:13:52 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on December 07, 2020, 04:18:22 PM
I have always been impressed at how good they are at reading people and getting to the truth. One warden once said, people want you to know the truth, they just can't help themselves.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on December 07, 2020, 04:21:39 PM
One bad experience I had was with a fed gamey down on crab creek like 15 years ago. I ran out into the sage to drop a heater and when I get back to my truck he comes rolling in hot. Accuses me of throwing lead shells out on the ground. Searches our vehicle and finds nothing. Doesnt believe my story about dropping a deuce and not shells until I walked him out and showed him the evidence :chuckle:
Post by: Woodchuck on December 07, 2020, 04:22:05 PM
Post by: NumaJohn on December 07, 2020, 04:31:20 PM
John
"Last Fall, a WDFW warden checked my friend and me while we were driving to hunt deer. My friend had purchased a deer license and had a transport tag but forgot to bring them with him that day. Once the warden confirmed that on his computer, he let my friend go and gave us advice as to where we could go to pay $10 for a replacement. (That allowed us to hunt that day without having to drive all the way home to retrieve his original.)
This past September, while out scouting for Modern Firearm, a WDFW warden was professional about asking me what I was up to, and then was friendly when I asked a few questions about elk activity (or non-activity!) in the area.
And then in the actual deer season, I approached a third WDFW warden and asked for some general information. He was courteous and professional.
So even though I grew up in Montana and have positive memories of encounters with the FWP wardens there, I have nothing negative to offer about my interactions with the WDFW crew in northeast WA. I am aware of how much territory they have to cover, and how stressful it must be to be spread so thin.
John"
Post by: BD1 on December 07, 2020, 04:55:52 PM
I'm glad we have our state LEO in the field...nobody is perfect
Post by: Jingles on December 07, 2020, 05:14:17 PM
Post by: HntnFsh on December 07, 2020, 05:42:42 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on December 07, 2020, 05:53:05 PM
Post by: Mfowl on December 07, 2020, 06:10:29 PM
Post by: Bill W on December 07, 2020, 06:11:06 PM
Like to give a shout out for retired officer Cal Tresser and current Officer Jason Day, officer Day is always willing to answer question a regardless of the day of the week as happened yesterday when asked about a particular local lake not only did he answer the questions but provided additional information I did not think about. Can't speak about other officers but these two understand the uniqueness of living and working in a small community.
I'll throw in a vote for Treser also. I've known him since 1974 back before his WDFW days. Also, we have a number of good ones here in the Moses Lake area.
Bill W
Post by: Jason on December 07, 2020, 06:21:39 PM
I met Cal Tresser up on the high hunt. Great guy, lots of good stories and he is a freaking Billy Goat.Like to give a shout out for retired officer Cal Tresser and current Officer Jason Day, officer Day is always willing to answer question a regardless of the day of the week as happened yesterday when asked about a particular local lake not only did he answer the questions but provided additional information I did not think about. Can't speak about other officers but these two understand the uniqueness of living and working in a small community.
I'll throw in a vote for Treser also. I've known him since 1974 back before his WDFW days. Also, we have a number of good ones here in the Moses Lake area.
Bill W
Post by: Encore 280 on December 07, 2020, 06:25:22 PM
Post by: sneakyjake on December 07, 2020, 06:28:25 PM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on December 07, 2020, 06:46:14 PM
Post by: wadu1 on December 07, 2020, 06:47:13 PM
Post by: dwils233 on December 07, 2020, 07:10:27 PM
Had some good dealings with Snyder around spokane a handful of years ago.
Couldn't agree more. He's a stand up guy
I met one out in Quincy last year, didn't catch his name but he was incredibly friendly and gave some good fishing points on some of the lakes I don't know well in that area.
Post by: bigtex on December 07, 2020, 07:30:04 PM
The vast majority of the hunters/anglers respond in a positive/friendly manner, but I will admit probably 15% of the time I will get a negative response. "What the F are you talking to me for? "I'd do better if you weren't checking me" "I F'ing hate game wardens" are the typical responses from those negative responses. Now these aren't from people I got a call about, these are simply me stumbling into them and checking them. So after receiving that response do you think the conversation/contact is going to go smoothly? Probably not. Do you think you might get some attitude from the game warden? Imagine sitting down at a bar and trying to make conversation with the guy sitting next to you and he responds with "what the F are you talking to me for" heck for some people that's fighting words.
I've had people I've arrested thank me and shake my hand after booking them into jail. And I've had people complain about me to management for ruining their fishing/hunting trip simply because I took 5 minutes to contact and check them and no warnings/citation were written.
In most cases it simply comes down to...do unto others as you want done to you
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on December 07, 2020, 07:32:34 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on December 07, 2020, 07:55:18 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on December 07, 2020, 07:59:55 PM
Going back a few years but Essman and Roger's where both instrumental in guiding me down a career path. Solid guys and treated everyone fair and respectful.agreed both solid dudes. To bad there not around anymore. There replacements are definitely sub par! It was kind of funny with the teanaway having a confirmed pack. Rogers retires and the bring in a wolf loving game warden. Seriously blows my mind.
Post by: X-Force on December 07, 2020, 08:02:23 PM
Post by: catdog on December 07, 2020, 09:00:00 PM
Post by: Encore 280 on December 07, 2020, 09:05:59 PM
This may be a surprise but game wardens are people. In probably 95% of the hunter/angler contacts I make I start the conversation along the lines of "how's it going" "doing any good?" "got anything?"
The vast majority of the hunters/anglers respond in a positive/friendly manner, but I will admit probably 15% of the time I will get a negative response. "What the F are you talking to me for? "I'd do better if you weren't checking me" "I F'ing hate game wardens" are the typical responses from those negative responses. Now these aren't from people I got a call about, these are simply me stumbling into them and checking them. So after receiving that response do you think the conversation/contact is going to go smoothly? Probably not. Do you think you might get some attitude from the game warden? Imagine sitting down at a bar and trying to make conversation with the guy sitting next to you and he responds with "what the F are you talking to me for" heck for some people that's fighting words.
I've had people I've arrested thank me and shake my hand after booking them into jail. And I've had people complain about me to management for ruining their fishing/hunting trip simply because I took 5 minutes to contact and check them and no warnings/citation were written.
In most cases it simply comes down to...do unto others as you want done to you
I would like to meet you sometime. All the wardens I've met have been decent people. Like you say; "they're people".
I don't understand why some people have to have an attitude right off the bat. :dunno: Thank you for your service . :tup:
Post by: RockChuck on December 07, 2020, 09:10:26 PM
Post by: Bob33 on December 07, 2020, 09:13:07 PM
Post by: Encore 280 on December 07, 2020, 09:44:36 PM
Post by: Bob33 on December 07, 2020, 09:52:49 PM
Met a young warden while in Broadus this year. He helped my son and me find some block management ranches. Couldn't help but notice his last name, one I wouldn't like growing up with, worse than Sue!!! K. Queer!! I didn't say a word! :chuckle: Fun guy though. :tup:I bet he had fun in junior high.
Post by: Encore 280 on December 07, 2020, 09:59:15 PM
Post by: huntnphool on December 08, 2020, 01:14:47 AM
Hoping that this thread can stay positive. If you have had a bad experience please start another thread.
I have interacted with multiple game wardens over the past 30 years and I would have to say for the most part they have been positive.
I haven't always liked what they had to say or what they could or couldn't enforce but I appreciate their passion for the job they do as thankless as I am sure it can be at times.
I would like to give a big shout out to Officer Brent Scherzinger, Officer Courtney Nasset, Officer Will Smith, Officer Tucker(can't remember his first name) and now retired Officer Grant (I don't recall his last name).
All of these officers have always been friendly and a pleasure to deal with.
Grants last name is Graham ;)
I too have had great conversations and positive experiences with field officers. Sig in the Methow was a fantastic warden that was a lot of fun to chat with, as was Greg Haw on the wet side.
Post by: Special T on December 08, 2020, 01:39:33 AM
One guy known as the skagit water fowl ball buster John Garrett was a champ. Either his name elicited curses or praise. IMO part of the old guard that didnt pass along enough of his skills.
20 years ago was my first time hunting the headquarters unit. I had hunted N fork Big Ditch and N Camano island. I started my walk in along freshwater slew dike at 10 am and rand into some guy on his way in. He asked why i was getting such a late start. I told him it was my first time hunting the area. I didnt want to dround or mess up anyone's magical first 2 hours. He asked my Chessies name then flipped this badge and asked if I had all my paperwork. I said yes sir would like to see it? He said no but go sit by this stump for the next hour or so. I did and scratched out a couple of birds. I saw him a few other times when he was checking people. He remembered who i was and told me get hunting or that he was busy with some one else. For a Ball Busting SOB reputation all ive had was respect for him.
In the following 20 years i learned he had a knack for reading people. Most folks that passed his sniff test he checked once then remembered who they were. One of my hunting partners who knew him back in the day told me about some of the tips/tricks he used to sift the wheat from chaff. While not perfect i bet he built great relationships with dedicated sportsmen, and was hard enforcement on those that constantly skirted the rules. I love hearing storied about Pat. Good bad and the ugly.
Post by: spin05 on December 08, 2020, 04:27:51 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on December 08, 2020, 07:29:59 AM
Thanks. I feel like Officer Tucker's first name was Blake. I just talked to him in November at Swakane. Really nice guy.Hoping that this thread can stay positive. If you have had a bad experience please start another thread.
I have interacted with multiple game wardens over the past 30 years and I would have to say for the most part they have been positive.
I haven't always liked what they had to say or what they could or couldn't enforce but I appreciate their passion for the job they do as thankless as I am sure it can be at times.
I would like to give a big shout out to Officer Brent Scherzinger, Officer Courtney Nasset, Officer Will Smith, Officer Tucker(can't remember his first name) and now retired Officer Grant (I don't recall his last name).
All of these officers have always been friendly and a pleasure to deal with.
Grants last name is Graham ;)
I too have had great conversations and positive experiences with field officers. Sig in the Methow was a fantastic warden that was a lot of fun to chat with, as was Greg Haw on the wet side.
Post by: Bill W on December 08, 2020, 07:44:47 AM
I met Cal Tresser up on the high hunt. Great guy, lots of good stories and he is a freaking Billy Goat.Like to give a shout out for retired officer Cal Tresser and current Officer Jason Day, officer Day is always willing to answer question a regardless of the day of the week as happened yesterday when asked about a particular local lake not only did he answer the questions but provided additional information I did not think about. Can't speak about other officers but these two understand the uniqueness of living and working in a small community.
I'll throw in a vote for Treser also. I've known him since 1974 back before his WDFW days. Also, we have a number of good ones here in the Moses Lake area.
Bill W
He's 71 now and was up there again this year. I think he was solo. We did the high hunt together from 1977 to 1996. He's out there hiking these days and I'm wondering when I'll be applying for my disabled close parking pass. :yike:
Post by: CoryTDF on December 08, 2020, 07:49:49 AM
Post by: KP-Skagit on December 08, 2020, 08:37:57 AM
While i never meet him in the feild a member on here and member of a sportsmens group i belong to(now retired) recieves much praise anytime i mention his name.
One guy known as the skagit water fowl ball buster Pat Garrett was a champ. Either his name elicited curses or praise. IMO part of the old gaurd that didnt pass aling enough of his skills.
20 years ago was my first time hunting the headquarters unit. I had hunted N fork Big Ditch and N camano island. I started my walk in along freshwater slew dike at 10 am and rand into some guy on his way in. He asked why i was getting such a late start. I told him it was my first time hunting the area. I didnt want to dround or mess up anyones magical first 2 hours. He asked my Chessies name then flipped this badge and asked if I had all my paperwork. I said yes sir would like to see it? He said no but go sit by this stump for the next hour or so. I did and scratched out a coupke of birds. I saw him a few other times when he was checking people. He remebered who i was and told me get hunting or that he was busy with some one else. For a Ball Busting SOB reputation all ive had was respect for him.
In the following 20 years i learned he had a knack for reading people. Most folks that passed his sniff test he checked once then remebered who they were. One of my hunting partners who knew him back in the day told me about some of the tips/tricks he used to sift the wheat from chaff. While not perfect i bet he built great relationships with dedicated sportsmen, and was hard enforcement on those that constantly skirted the rules. I love hearing storied about Pat. Good bad and the ugly.
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Pretty sure its John Garrett right? Pat is his son, I went to school with him. By that time he was out of enforcement and was running headquarters.
Bill Heinke was a great man also but you always had to set aside some time at the end of the day for BSing.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 08, 2020, 09:15:46 AM
Post by: bigtex on December 08, 2020, 09:32:19 AM
You talking about the Bill Henke that passed away earlier this year?He passed away in 2011.
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Post by: cavemann on December 08, 2020, 09:34:34 AM
I've been checked countless times in 8 or 9 states and all have been positive except 1. They are just humans and if you treat them as such, there will seldom be an issue.
One bad experience I had was with a fed gamey down on crab creek like 15 years ago. I ran out into the sage to drop a heater and when I get back to my truck he comes rolling in hot. Accuses me of throwing lead shells out on the ground. Searches our vehicle and finds nothing. Doesnt believe my story about dropping a deuce and not shells until I walked him out and showed him the evidence :chuckle:
Did you tell the officer that the decision to do that in the sage vs home for your wife and kids to endure was a moral, ethical and legal decision?
Post by: Special T on December 08, 2020, 09:37:02 AM
While i never meet him in the feild a member on here and member of a sportsmens group i belong to(now retired) recieves much praise anytime i mention his name.
One guy known as the skagit water fowl ball buster Pat Garrett was a champ. Either his name elicited curses or praise. IMO part of the old gaurd that didnt pass aling enough of his skills.
20 years ago was my first time hunting the headquarters unit. I had hunted N fork Big Ditch and N camano island. I started my walk in along freshwater slew dike at 10 am and rand into some guy on his way in. He asked why i was getting such a late start. I told him it was my first time hunting the area. I didnt want to dround or mess up anyones magical first 2 hours. He asked my Chessies name then flipped this badge and asked if I had all my paperwork. I said yes sir would like to see it? He said no but go sit by this stump for the next hour or so. I did and scratched out a coupke of birds. I saw him a few other times when he was checking people. He remebered who i was and told me get hunting or that he was busy with some one else. For a Ball Busting SOB reputation all ive had was respect for him.
In the following 20 years i learned he had a knack for reading people. Most folks that passed his sniff test he checked once then remebered who they were. One of my hunting partners who knew him back in the day told me about some of the tips/tricks he used to sift the wheat from chaff. While not perfect i bet he built great relationships with dedicated sportsmen, and was hard enforcement on those that constantly skirted the rules. I love hearing storied about Pat. Good bad and the ugly.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Pretty sure its John Garrett right? Pat is his son, I went to school with him. By that time he was out of enforcement and was running headquarters.
Bill Heinke was a great man also but you always had to set aside some time at the end of the day for BSing.
Sorry you are correct it was John. that was a few years back so...
Post by: rosscrazyelk on December 08, 2020, 12:46:30 PM
Ryan John. @rosscrazyelk and I had dealings with him years back. Total pro and went WAY above and beyond the call of duty. :tup:I have actually had several conversations with him after that day. Helped with great info.. he is on the coast now
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 08, 2020, 12:48:30 PM
Post by: Woodchuck on December 08, 2020, 12:57:17 PM
I heard he had moved, bummer for us in this area.Ryan John. @rosscrazyelk and I had dealings with him years back. Total pro and went WAY above and beyond the call of duty. :tup:I have actually had several conversations with him after that day. Helped with great info.. he is on the coast now
Post by: bigtex on December 08, 2020, 01:19:09 PM
Is there a list somewhere of the Wardens(LEO) for each area?No it's not released to the public due to privacy issues.
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Post by: Kain on December 16, 2020, 05:53:19 PM
Fast forward to this year I went out to shoot some carp on 4th of July. River was a madhouse so I decided to get away from all the people. It gets to be afternoon and I am way out on the lake and I hear a siren go blip blip. Then I hear someone on a loud speaker but cant understand anything they are saying. I laugh to myself that someone is getting in trouble. Figured it was drinking or fireworks. Continue to fish and hear the siren again and more loud speaker. I think whoever is getting in trouble must be serious. Continue fishing and get back to the truck. I find a printed out note from officer Moats. He said he tried to get my attention that the launch was closing early on the 4th and that there were signs posted. He had to lock me in and that the security company would not be there to let me out until after 8pm. Sure enough there was paper stapled to the post that I drove right past. LOL My family brought me food while I waited several hours to be let out. Officer Moats did try to do everything he could and waited over an hour past the posted closing time before he finally had to just lock me in. :chuckle:
Post by: dreadi on December 16, 2020, 07:17:51 PM
Hoping that this thread can stay positive. If you have had a bad experience please start another thread.That’s a good group. I’ve met at least most of them in the Colockum.
I have interacted with multiple game wardens over the past 30 years and I would have to say for the most part they have been positive.
I haven't always liked what they had to say or what they could or couldn't enforce but I appreciate their passion for the job they do as thankless as I am sure it can be at times.
I would like to give a big shout out to Officer Brent Scherzinger, Officer Courtney Nasset, Officer Will Smith, Officer Tucker(can't remember his first name) and now retired Officer Grant (I don't recall his last name).
All of these officers have always been friendly and a pleasure to deal with.
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Post by: scotbradly726 on December 17, 2020, 10:06:14 AM
A very friendly game warden called me on the phone and we had a lengthy conversation, I immediately had a choice to make, I could (A.) lie my ass off and maybe get away with it or (B.) tell the truth and deal with what may come.
I chose to be honest and told his exactly what I was doing. He then informed me that I could be charged with a class B felony along with incredibly high fines, not to mention losing hunting and fishing rights. He also informed me that he could legally confiscate any of my processing equipment as well.
The he told me that before he called me, he called a friend of mine that just happened to be a retired WDFW officer and said buddy is now owed a huge favor because he explained that I'm not a rouge, and I'm not one to willfully break the rules.
So he cut me a whole pile of slack, and finished the conversation with "This conversation is 100% solely for your information, do with it what you choose, but next time there will be no phone calls."
Yes sir and thank you sir.
He could have by all legal rights, taken me to the cleaners, but he chose not to, and for that I am eternally grateful and I'm 100% by the book now. I make sure of it!
Mucho respect to all LEO's out there, and especially to our WDFW LEO's. You know for a fact that every contact you make is armed, that ups the game 100%.
Post by: Gopher on December 25, 2020, 06:11:29 PM