Post by: TopOfTheFoodChain on October 20, 2011, 03:42:24 PM
For the record: I'm not complaining either way. I appreciate the job they do and do not mind being checked at all. :salute:
With all the hunters on this forum I wonder how many of us have actually been checked? :police:
Post by: jaymark6655 on October 20, 2011, 03:47:11 PM
Post by: gasman on October 20, 2011, 04:57:02 PM
Had a gamie check a guy in front of me, pass by me and my dad and check out the guy behind me (Yoterhunter :chuckle: ) out on JBLM.
Post by: halflife65 on October 20, 2011, 05:17:42 PM
1. Lots of game checks I've driven through. The only time that I was ever hassled at one was probably 25 years ago when I was sitting in the middle of a single cab pickup with my dad (driving) and uncle (passenger) leaving for the evening. Because we were all crammed in there we had put two of the rifles (unloaded) in a hard case behind the seat and the game warden pulled us out and checked everything because we didn't have the rifles in plain view. It had been dark for an hour, we were jammed in the front with all of our stuff and I was a little kid - like 14 or so. Probably we were closer to getting in trouble from my dad and uncle's negative reactions than the actual rifles...as a little kid I was scared but probably would just be annoyed now. Seems like they were just looking for something - oh, and we had done nothing wrong so they didn't find anything. Eventually, they just let us get on our way.
2. Checked a couple of times bird hunting. Although they checked licenses they mostly just wanted to know how we were doing. Pleasant experience.
3. Checked while doe hunting. Had a doe that I had shot (legally - I had drawn a tag) down in this clearcut and had forgotten my pack board. I had a gym bag with dry clothes in it, so I emptied it out, walked back, boned the doe out and stuck her in it. When I got back to my pickup a game warden was standing there trying not to laugh at me. Another pleasant experience.
4. Had my dad drop me off on a mountain bike on Green's Pass and road down into the Little Naches and got picked up by some friends that were camped there. About halfway down a game warden drove around the corner and was totally shocked to see me. Said that as far as he knew there was no one within 10 miles of me. Did try to trick me into saying that I had someone drive down and drop me off (I didn't) but there was a bit of snow and he could see my tracks all the way from the top. That was a bit of a bummer but I kind of saw through it. Anyway, after he determined that I peddled my ass out there he was pleasant. Checked my license and then bs'd me a bit and we were on our way.
So, I've been checked by guys just doing their job and had only one bad experience 25 years ago. Pretty good record, really.
Post by: 66 Jake on October 20, 2011, 05:36:47 PM
Post by: Klyne3 on October 20, 2011, 06:23:20 PM
Post by: sisu on October 20, 2011, 07:25:25 PM
Just called in three poachers today for trespassing, shooting on private land, etc. At first I thought these clowns were hiding and going to wait for me to leave & break into truck. These guys had their vehicle hidden off road, no hunter orange on, and were busy blasting on opposite side of road that is private AND posted. I should of known they were up to no good as soon as I spotted them. Heads pop up like deer in brush, then quickly disappear(no hunter orange on) then blasting. I moved myself so I could see them, that is when I see them donning their hunter orange vests, climb into vehicle and get out of Dodge.
Post by: Elkrunner on October 20, 2011, 07:45:40 PM
I also had them come into camp back in Winthrop when I rifle hunted. I even was stopped in the Colockum about 5 years ago while archery hunting.
Post by: Rooster1981 on October 21, 2011, 07:12:34 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 21, 2011, 07:13:51 AM
Post by: Machias on October 21, 2011, 07:16:39 AM
Post by: hoytem on October 21, 2011, 08:26:00 AM
Second time I was taking a buddy into Cougar to get picked up and a smoking hot female warden checked us. It was dark and we were not hunting. I had left my tag at camp but had my rifle in the truck(don't want it stolen while no one is in camp). She asks for my tag I told her I'm not hunting as it is dark and am heading to town. She says" well why do you have your rifle in the truck then? I need you to take me to your camp and show me your tag." :bash: I was pissed but drove the 2 miles back to our camp and showed her my tags. She was a bitch, i should have told her this is America and i can take my rifle where i want. My buddies ragged on me for being a little ticked off cause she was so hot.
Post by: CedarPants on October 21, 2011, 08:59:22 AM
Post by: jstone on October 21, 2011, 09:12:59 AM
Post by: 270Shooter on October 21, 2011, 09:35:57 AM
I was checked 4 or 5 times fishing the natches river last summer for trout, same warden everytime. He just checked to make sure out hooks were single barbless and to make sure we had out licenses. After the second time he didn't even bother to check us anymore, he just stopped by to ask us how we did and told us some other spots to check out, really nice guy.
Post by: twinners on October 21, 2011, 09:56:27 AM
Post by: Widgeondeke on October 21, 2011, 10:11:16 AM
When hunting I've been checked at the pheasant release site and while waterfowl hunting about 4 times in the last 10 years.
As has been stated; they are only doing their jobs.
In Wyoming I've been stopped or chatted with 2-3 times each year. Sometimes they didn't even ask to see our tags/guns. Just talked huntin' & BS'd. :)
Post by: Atroxus on October 21, 2011, 11:34:17 AM
Post by: the509hunter on October 21, 2011, 11:29:36 PM
Post by: Button Nubbs on October 22, 2011, 07:56:08 AM
Post by: jamesjett on October 24, 2011, 10:29:37 PM
on the way back down from bear hunting. Nice guy, just checked our tags and licenses and asked if we saw
any muzzleloaders on top. Didn't check our Id's or our weapons.
Post by: FC on October 24, 2011, 11:21:58 PM
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?
Post by: westsideoutdoorsman on October 24, 2011, 11:43:07 PM
Another time we went through a checkpoint and he HAD to check our rifles, pulled my gunrack off the window. That one was a dick. How it goes. :)
Post by: NWBREW on October 25, 2011, 03:08:12 AM
Post by: hoytem on October 25, 2011, 10:27:07 AM
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.
Post by: h2ofowlr on October 25, 2011, 10:32:53 AM
Post by: throttlejocky20 on October 25, 2011, 04:58:52 PM
Post by: csaaphill on October 28, 2011, 02:40:58 AM
Come later on they checked my bow for it had blood on it, but it was mine because I had scratched myself on it reaching for binoculars or something. Eventually they couldn't charge me and gave me back my bow and stuff they took.
So in my opinion those that are watching us need watched after.
However for the most part I've really only just been checked for tags and licenses and no real bad issues, but this one was.
Post by: Lunatic Fringe on October 28, 2011, 01:58:34 PM
Post by: jyerxa on October 28, 2011, 03:50:12 PM
Fishing I have.
Post by: oldcamper on October 29, 2011, 11:40:04 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on October 29, 2011, 11:49:34 PM
Post by: passing-thru on October 30, 2011, 12:19:33 AM
Post by: bearpaw on November 01, 2011, 05:45:45 AM
Post by: Secret Squirrel on November 01, 2011, 07:17:32 AM
Post by: Huntbear on November 01, 2011, 07:28:17 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 01, 2011, 08:19:57 AM
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.
Post by: doyourtime89 on November 01, 2011, 12:00:09 PM
Post by: littlemac on November 02, 2011, 03:20:50 PM
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.
Post by: FC on November 02, 2011, 03:47:35 PM
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.
Post by: hoytem on November 04, 2011, 12:10:28 AM
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.
Post by: wsucowboy on November 04, 2011, 12:43:31 AM
Post by: Alphamax on January 26, 2012, 12:38:30 PM
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: :chuckleI 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 :chuckle: :chuckle:
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.
Post by: Dan-o on January 26, 2012, 01:23:53 PM
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.....
Post by: mrmoskillz on February 21, 2012, 01:40:05 PM
Post by: Curly on February 21, 2012, 01:53:07 PM
The fishing one I got a ticket. I was on Potholes with a couple friends out on the boat and the warden pulls up and asks for our licenses and checks for life jackets. I was shocked when I went to grab my wallet and it was gone. I dug around in the boat for a bit and it was nowhere. He gave me the ticket but told me to mail a copy of my license when I find it (within a week) and the ticket wouldn't have to be paid. When I got back to the truck, I opened the door and my wallet fell down on the ground. Apparently it had slipped out of my pocket when I got out of the truck and was sitting on the floor board next to the door.
I thought he was nice and he did his job. I'm sure he gets some people that just lie to him about losing their license. I think he believed me but he had to give me a ticket just in case I was lying. I was just glad my wallet didn't fall out on the ground without me seeing it.
Post by: dreamingbig on February 21, 2012, 02:36:57 PM
I was checked once in the backcountry by a game warden on a horse during the summer. We were fishing and had our licenses.
Post by: steen on February 21, 2012, 04:52:33 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on February 21, 2012, 05:20:04 PM
Post by: Angus on February 26, 2012, 11:51:42 AM
In Alaska while guiding I've been checked probably 10 times over 20 years by the state troopers, NOAA and the CG, never had any problems. 1 time I had a couple troopers pull up alongside my boat and they asked to see fishing licenses, my guest held theirs up then 1 of the cops asked to see mine, my license was buried in a waterproof box in the bow of the boat so I just grabbed my tide book off the dash which was about the same size/color as the license and held it up to the window real quickly, cops waved and thanked us and off they went. :chuckle:
Post by: Cascade on February 26, 2012, 12:17:15 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on February 27, 2012, 08:48:36 AM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on February 27, 2012, 08:57:46 AM
Post by: netcoyote on February 27, 2012, 09:47:26 AM
Quote
"I will just hand them what they want and keep my mouth shut ......this is your best defense against them ... just shut up"
ALWAYS the best advice when dealing with any LEO. There is absolutely no benefit to you offering unsolicited information.
Post by: dreamingbig on February 27, 2012, 10:44:21 AM
ALWAYS the best advice when dealing with any LEO. There is absolutely no benefit to you offering unsolicited information.
:yeah:
Post by: rtspring on February 27, 2012, 11:02:43 AM
I think it goes like this with gamies, all is good until you have one bad run in with them, whether you broke the law or not. After that you have bad taste in your mouth that you never get rid of. They are cops basically and htey are trying to find you guilty of somehting. Shut up and give only the info you are required to give....
AND FOR GODS SAKE DO NOT VOLUNTEER TO GIVE UP YOUR RIFLE FOR TESTING!!!
Post by: netcoyote on February 27, 2012, 11:29:42 AM
Only other interaction was in Montana when my buddy got busted for not having a tag on hanging meat. Had the tag on the elk head in his truck. Gamie was very professional but confiscated the hanging carcass while we were out of camp. Met the gamie later in the day when we returned to camp, my buddy paid a fine and the gamie returned the carcass after explaining the law. Never expected that outcome.
Overall, I try not to carry a bias one way or the other on gamies, they have a tough job to do, and they are all different in how they interact with the public. I just keep the discussion on topic and skip the chit-chat.
Post by: coachcw on February 29, 2012, 10:05:40 AM
Post by: bigtex on March 02, 2012, 02:21:30 PM
Been checked out alot over the years. GOt one ticket for having a loaded rifle on my quad. (long Story) I had seen some deer and completetly forgot to unload the damn thing. Came out ot a road and well, lets jsut say this gamie went ballistic on me. Cost me 500.00 bucks.. I am anal about checking my guns now.
Well unless you got other citations with this violation the loaded firearm citation alone did not cost you $500, unless you tried to fight it and the judge threw a heftier sentence at you. The current fine for loaded firearm through state/county courts is $271, couple years ago it was increased from $250. Don't know what the federal fine is.
Post by: greenhead_killer on March 02, 2012, 02:53:49 PM
Post by: gotshot on March 02, 2012, 02:54:37 PM
Post by: rtspring on March 02, 2012, 03:05:37 PM
It was 500.00 bucks. How I know this to be true was the girlfriend at the time bought a scratch lotto ticket the same day and won 500.00 bucks and was in a giving mood and we paid the ticket with it...
Maybe it was a federal guy that gave me the ticket. Black F-150 he was on the 1902 road headed up to Ravens Roost in the little naches area. No I did not fight it, I broke the law and paid the piper.. This was around 2005 time frame...
RTSPRING
Post by: bigtex on March 02, 2012, 03:09:02 PM
BIXTEX,
It was 500.00 bucks. How I know this to be true was the girlfriend at the time bought a scratch lotto ticket the same day and won 500.00 bucks and was in a giving mood and we paid the ticket with it...
Maybe it was a federal guy that gave me the ticket. Black F-150 he was on the 1902 road headed up to Ravens Roost in the little naches area. No I did not fight it, I broke the law and paid the piper.. This was around 2005 time frame...
Ah yes, we've had this talk before. If it was $500 like you say and no other violations then it was not WDFW or any other county/state officer. Like I said, I don't know what the federal fine is, it differs from state to state and in WA the federal fines are different in E WA and W WA. None of the federal agencies have their patrol rigs that are black, however they do have unmarked vehicles of all sorts that are typically used by their Special Agents.
Post by: rtspring on March 02, 2012, 03:11:55 PM
It was unmarked and it only had a couple flashing red and blue lights that were hidden in the grill. Don't remember the guys name but he did have a badge and wore the same clothes I see gamies wearing today. All in all I learned a very valuable lesson that day.. I sure as hell won't ever make that mistake again...
Post by: Fetch em up on April 06, 2012, 12:22:26 PM
BIXTEX,
It was 500.00 bucks. How I know this to be true was the girlfriend at the time bought a scratch lotto ticket the same day and won 500.00 bucks and was in a giving mood and we paid the ticket with it...
Maybe it was a federal guy that gave me the ticket. Black F-150 he was on the 1902 road headed up to Ravens Roost in the little naches area. No I did not fight it, I broke the law and paid the piper.. This was around 2005 time frame...
Ah yes, we've had this talk before. If it was $500 like you say and no other violations then it was not WDFW or any other county/state officer. Like I said, I don't know what the federal fine is, it differs from state to state and in WA the federal fines are different in E WA and W WA. None of the federal agencies have their patrol rigs that are black, however they do have unmarked vehicles of all sorts that are typically used by their Special Agents.
The Yakima WDFW Sergeant drove a black F-150 up until about 2008 or so. Also, there is a different RCW for loaded gun on a "non highway vehicle" that I believe is $500. :twocents:
RCW 46.09.480
Additional violations — Penalty.
(1) No person may operate a nonhighway vehicle in such a way as to endanger human life.
(2) No person shall operate a nonhighway vehicle in such a way as to run down or harass any wildlife or animal, nor carry, transport, or convey any loaded weapon in or upon, nor hunt from, any nonhighway vehicle except by permit issued by the director of fish and wildlife under RCW 77.32.237: PROVIDED, That it shall not be unlawful to carry, transport, or convey a loaded pistol in or upon a nonhighway vehicle if the person complies with the terms and conditions of chapter 9.41 RCW.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "hunt" means any effort to kill, injure, capture, or purposely disturb a wild animal or bird.
(4) Violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.
Post by: Fetch em up on April 06, 2012, 05:31:10 PM
rtspring- Do you remember if the guy that wrote that ticket was pretty short??? :dunno:
Post by: rtspring on April 07, 2012, 10:10:27 AM
Post by: Snapshot on April 07, 2012, 10:44:23 AM
Post by: Fetch em up on April 07, 2012, 11:07:48 AM
Yes, he was a short guy.
That was most likely the Yakima WDFW Sergeant then. He's about 5'6" or so and drove a black F-150 back then.