Beware Game Wardens!

No really, they are a good bunch for the most part. Had a couple
run-ins long time ago, but those guys are either retired or not doing
field work anymore. Wrote me up once for "no fire extinguisher"
'cause it was a shade low on the gauge - I assure you it worked,
I tried it before getting it refilled. Wonder what would've happened
after I had said ticket in my pocket if I'd pulled the pin and hosed
'em down with dry chemical? Figure I'da got shot, the way that
guy acted. Anyway, the reason I'm posting this is to relate a couple
of stories one of them told me about some recent tickets they wrote
for no fishing license - First one, guy said he wasn't fishing, just trying
to snag something he'd lost in water - no sale. Next, a woman was
just practicing her casting technique, was not fishing. nope, didn't
buy that either. And finally, another lady was just holding the rod
for hubby while he took a break - but not fishing. I'm glad I don't
have their job! One told me that the only reason many years ago he
wanted the job was that he loved to hunt and fish, but now he hasn't
done either in years. I see them headed to the lake all the time and
tell them I wish I could get given a nice boat and paid to cruise around
checking bikinis - They seldom see the humor - tell me they'll trade
places with me on the spot. Wouldn't that be terrible, to NOT want
to go to the lake?

I have about 2.5 years college towards a degree in wildlife management. Decided I didn't want to continue to make $25,000 a year and not get to hunt and fish as much as I would like. A Wildlife Officer was the only job I ever really wanted to do. But I love the job I have now and I didn't have to pay for a degree and I get most weekends off and enough paid vacation to hunt or fish whenever I don't feel like working.

When at Purdue I gave some thought to getting my degree in Wildlife Biology or Fisheries Biology. I took a few courses in those fields but decided to go for a new degree that the University was just starting to offer.

I heard that only two of the Wildlife Biologists that graduated from Purdue that year got jobs and one of those guy had to move to Alaska to work up there. So the job offers were far and few between.

My good friend Mark Reiter got his degree in Wildlife Biology and he got a job with the Indiana DNR. He has worked his way up the chain of command into a better higher paying job but still with three kids to feed and a wife, house payment, two cars etc he does not think he makes enough money. He could have made more in sales or some other type of job. But he enjoys working with wildlife and is committed to this field. We sure need guys like him in the State Capital who understand the needs of fishermen and hunters and work hard to give us State Lands on which we can hunt and fish.

I had a blast taking a Junior Level Wildlife Biology Class my Senior year and I learned a lot about modern wildlife management techniques etc. That class was not a pud class either. The test were extremely difficult. There were not multiple choice answers and the prof made us think. A question on the test could have one right answer or it could have several answers that were correct. If you guessed at a question and got it wrong the prof would subtract points for every question that you marked as being the answer but was not the answer. So maybe the question had three correct answers and A B C was right and D and E were wrong. If you chose all five possible answers you got credit for getting A B C right and then were penalized for guessing that D and E were right when they were in fact not the correct answer. I had never had a prof give a test such as this one. But the Prof was just starting out at Purdue that year and was fresh from the Ivy League School of Yale University. He was teaching graduate courses at Yale in Wildlife Biology. Man could that guy tell a story. Everyone in his class was attentive as he gave his lecture. I was always on the edge of my seat and hanging on every word he spoke. But the first examine almost killed my spirits. After that I really had to buckel down and study harder and finally got my test scores up. He really made me think harder than any other class and since I really was into that class it was not that hard after a while.

Sometimes I wish I had gone into that field as I know I would have loved the work. Just the fact that the State does not pay much was a turn off. You have to really love that work and not want a lot of money to become a biologist for the state.

I do admire those that perform this job as without them we would not have the opportunities to fish and hunt that we have today. Without the professional management of our wildlife resources and the cooperation of the hunters and fishermen the resource would be wiped out like the passenger pigeons.

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Originally Posted by fiddlefarter

I have about 2.5 years college towards a degree in wildlife management. Decided I didn't want to continue to make $25,000 a year and not get to hunt and fish as much as I would like. A Wildlife Officer was the only job I ever really wanted to do. But I love the job I have now and I didn't have to pay for a degree and I get most weekends off and enough paid vacation to hunt or fish whenever I don't feel like working.

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it's like the old saying - "if you want to fish ... don't buy a bait store" :p

I thought I'd like to be a Wildlife Officer, back when I was young. But, that never went past the "dream" state. Now, I don't envy those guys their jobs, for any reason. I'm just glad that someone has the drive and determination to do that job. Me, I'm just glad to have a job :D that pays the bills and feeds, clothes, houses me; and still allows me to fish. ........cp :cool:

My neighbor wants to join the police dept someday. He has a degree in Criminolgy now and plans on further schooling. Right now he and his wife are running a beauty salon that they opened a few months ago. She is a great hair stylist or what ever they call them these days. She is not cheap either LOL. But she is really good as she has a lot of customers that followed her to her new shop. She worked for another beauty shop in the past and finally decided that she was going to make the money and stop working for someone else who took all the money. Good decision on their part IMHO. So far the business is working good.

But I once asked my neighbor why he wanted to be a policeman. He is still young by most standards. Under 30 years old and wanting to do some good for society and I think that is good. But for me I think about someone shooting me or something and that is not what I want. Even when I was younger my desire to get into fights with people or be shot at was not there. I was an emt and just wearing that uniform at rock concerts tended to make some people think I was a cop. Once a guy threw his beer cup at me and got me soaked with beer. I was ready to kick that guys ass but they held me back. LOL He was evidently a friend of the concert promoter and was drunk. That was the last time I volunteered to work for that concert provider as am EMT. I think that the real police finally did arrest him that night. While working at the rock concerts back in the late 1970s I often was looked upon as a cop since the uniform and badge that I wore resembled a police uniform. But if they were not drunk they would easily see the EMT path on the shoulder and the medical equipment around my neck. Most of those Kiss rock concert goers were drunk or on drugs and stoned back in those days. You could smell the dope in the air as soon as the lights went out. Maybe that is why I am hard of hearing these days. The sounds inside that concert hall were way over 100 decibles for sure. A lot of the time I just went back outside and sat in the ambulance waiting for the concert to be over. But I got to go to all the big concerts for free by volunteering to work as an EMT. So I got to see Elvis and some of the other big stars back in those days.

I remember seeing a guy that I went to grade school and hs with. He was a good friend back when I was in GS but we lost touch in HS. I went on to Purdue and he joined the Evansville Police force and not is a detective. I saw him throw a guy out of the concert and proceed to make sure that the guy didn't ever return to that concert, if you know what I mean. LOL I am sure that guy woke up in jain the next day thinking "what hit me a mack truck?"

Anyway I do admire those that have the abilty to join the police force and protect and serve. It's not the job I want to do though.

My neighbor wears a bullet proof vest when he goes out on patrol. The other night he asked me if he looked fat in his uniform. He was waiting for his ride to pick him up and we were out in the front yard discussion the tent moving incident that happend to me the other day. That bullet proof vest makes him look twice a big around the chest as normal. LOL But hopefully it will save his life one day if he has one of the good vest and not one that is defective.

Then last Saturday the DNR enforcement guys had their boat trailer vandilzed.
Now the DNR conservation officers get my respect as they have to patrol the boonies by themselves and that is a lot more dangerous than patrolling the city. Out in the boonies they could be shot and lay there for days before somone find them. So you have to give them a lot of respect for enforcing the game laws. For without them the game would not last very long. If everyone took home as many fish and game as they wanted there would be none left pretty soon.

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Originally Posted by crappiepappy

it's like the old saying - "if you want to fish ... don't buy a bait store" :p

I thought I'd like to be a Wildlife Officer, back when I was young. But, that never went past the "dream" state. Now, I don't envy those guys their jobs, for any reason. I'm just glad that someone has the drive and determination to do that job. Me, I'm just glad to have a job :D that pays the bills and feeds, clothes, houses me; and still allows me to fish. ........cp :cool:

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yes and there are somethat keep anything that gits hooked and then grumble about no fish to catch . . we have the apolousaoe flat head as some call it cats in our river here . that is the talk that they are eating up the redbrest . the same fishermen come out with a cooler half full [[a 36 quart] not a little toat cooler . not big enough to keep . and never eat them . just show them off and dump them . they would never admit to it and cant proovce it . but they dont cook that menny fish either .
i dont keep anything that i dont eat . and big enough to git some meat off of

Don't have much use for fish cops. They go out of their way to write a ticket. It is rediculous to write a man up for a fire extinguisher that is is perfect working order, just because it is a tad low!

I was fishing once and my sister came along at the last moment. We had three life vests, but one was a child's vest.. Over $200.00. They were grinnin' like jackasses eatin' briars.

I have no use for them at all, period. I work for the Corps of Engineers and our rangers will not write a ticket unless it is just absolutely necessary. ...and these idiots come on Corps lakes and harrass good people just because they can. They can all go jump in the lake.

aj

arkie, it sounds like you just had a run in with a group of big headed jacka**... but that really should not put a bad image in your mind of the people who actually try and preserve our hunting and fishing lands and waters... i mean i am attending MTSU now trying to earn my degree in agribusiness so i can hopefully become a game warden one day. its just like the police... for the most part the police force is there to do what they claim to do "protect and serve" but i know almost everybody has probably ran into one of those big headed officers who will write a ticket for anything just so they can go back to the squad and brag about how many citations they have wrote... but thats no reason to hate the police force... so it should be the same for the wardens... im not trying to say all of the wardens are good at what they do .... but now-a-days we all have to bank on the fact that in every field of work there will always be some crooks and there will always be some truly honest people who do what they do for the right reasons.... just thought id lay that out on the line

There needs to be some big budget cuts............Big budget cuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ps all you that work in a W&F dept. and feel you are under paid ............please quit and find you another job as soon as possible.

I have never had any problems with game wardens....then again I always stay within current regulations and never push the envelope.

I have never been given a game&fish ticket ....I say we need budget cuts because in my state they help pass communist type laws and do nothing for small game.....The latest trend in my state is to drain lakes and make 10 year in the future fishing predictions.....This is a total waste of tax payers money.........And Yes ...Ea ch...of us ought to care about what is done with... OUR...tax dollars....I think the first budget cuts should be to get rid of all the biologist on our payroll...The biology division should be contracted out to the private sector contractors...We need to get some return on our tax dollars.

Bfrog - what state do you live in?

Sure, that's the right way to think, let the private sector charge 3-5 times the amount for services instead of utilizing your state DNR or Fish & Game division.

Would you really want the outcome of their regulations which would probably less restrictive and more liberal?

Breambuster is right....consulting fees are much, much higher in the private section than the public section. This will just cause further eroding of tax dollars.

I have been checked several times and have never had any problems. I always hear people gripe and complain about being checked and say they get harrassed, but would you rather get a $200 reminder that you need PFD's or would you rather have to bury a friend or family member that drowns due to the lack of PFD's. Just a little something to think about next time.

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Originally Posted by Breambuster

Bfrog - what state do you live in?

Sure, that's the right way to think, let the private sector charge 3-5 times the amount for services instead of utilizing your state DNR or Fish & Game division.

Would you really want the outcome of their regulations which would probably less restrictive and more liberal?

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One of the most expensive cost most business have is labor----this is common knowledge..,pay for a lake survey and be done with it...We need to cut all biologist off the Tax payers pay roll and at least 1/2 the enforcement division needs to be layed off....We need way more effective use of our tax payers dollars......................:eek:

I can't say that I didn't expect comments like yours (Slab-seeker) and you make points that I have known all along. I never said I "hated" law enforcement or anybody, for that matter. But you know, a man can do his job with class and use some common sense, but these bozos in Arkansas seem to go out of their way (I'm serious) to nail everyone they possibly can. No sir, it hasn't been "just one run-in" but the vast majority of times I have to deal with these clowns they are always of the opinion the public needs to kiss their boots, and I'm tired of it. They are public servants and need to remember that.

One of my greatest friends is a US Army Corps of Engineers ranger. Once last year he had to take one of the state fish cops along with him up the lake for some reason. The guy got his jollies by writing one and a half ticket books just in the one trip!! Did the ticketed individuals all deserve it? I doubt it. My buddy told me that he was abusive and that the boy would NEVER ride with him again.

Here's who you need to appreciate: The fishermen and hunters that buy their licenses and stamps for the privilege to do what they enjoy; the ones that finance it ALL--including the paychecks of the fish cops.

Maybe one day I will meet a game warden that I think is fair. It "ain't" happened yet, buddy, and I doubt Will Rogers ever met an Arkansas state game warden.

The next time you go fishing, thank the good Lord for the health and ability to experience His majesty...and the hunters and fishermen and American taxpayers for financing it all. Yup, we need PROFESSIONAL and fair game officials, not some recent college grad armed with clipboard, a hog leg and a new pick-up truck calling himself a 'game warden.' Geeze. Gimme a break.

I've beat this horse to death boys. If you want to engage me further on the subject, just PM me. That way we won't bore the rest of the forum. ;)

aj

Ditto~~~~~~~~~~~~~~we need budget cuts~~~~~~~~~~and we need em soonnnn! No more wasting tax payers dollars On 4x4 and 4 wheelers.....Biologist is each states biggest waste of tax payers dollars~~~~~~~~~we need lay-offs!

Not sure about most of you, but I for one would rather have a game warden around when I don't need one, than need one and there not be one around.

Sounds like some have a problem that needs to be taken up with their Legislatures and propose a bill.

Bullfrog - notice you didn't say what state you live in...maybe you don't want their state agency folks to know how you feel about their conservation and regulation of natural resources?

quit b!tching and obey the laws....ALL of them....keep required equipment in top shape, they require it for a reason....I had a fire on the boat, fire extinguisher a 'tad low' according to the guage....wrong....it wasnt worth a chit.......ended up wetting a carhart coat and laying it over the fire. Float got hung on the carborator and spilling gas all over the hot motor block.

Bottom line, it's one of the most dangerous jobs out there, they might have an ego problem, but so do most law enforcement and I dont think you want them to go away. If you get a ticket it's your own fault. Im sure they hear "she was just hholding my pole (sounds dirty huh lol)" all the time. Most of them stake out and watch before they pounce. Theyre sneaky. I know most of them around here on a first name basis. Some I like, some I dont, but they all do their job. There all flaws in every system, why whine about this one? If they werent there to right people up for mis-use of our resources or safety, they would be a lot less fish and game and a lot more dead or injured loved ones.

Ill admit, my stuff isnt always right. My air horn may be broke or I might have lost my whistle when the air horn in broke and dont have neither, but its a chance I take, my own stupidity and I know Im in the wrong.

Seems as if some have something to hide when theyre fishing?

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Originally Posted by Breambuster

Not sure about most of you, but I for one would rather have a game warden around when I don't need one, than need one and there not be one around.
Sounds like some have a problem that needs to be taken up with their Legislatures and propose a bill.

Bullfrog - notice you didn't say what state you live in...maybe you don't want their state agency folks to know how you feel about their conservation and regulation of natural resources?

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amen


do it legal and have nothing to fear. I personally could care less if they stop me. they would be hard pressed to find something illegal when Im huntin or fishin....and if they do, its my fault, not theirs b/c i think they have an ego problem

I've been checked many times and have never been given a ticket but last year I saw a game warden call a guy out of a dove field so he could check his licenses and gun plug. The guy was legal but..... he didn't unload his gun when he went to the game warden to be checked. He got a $200.00 ticket for having a loaded gun on a road. When he started to complain that he felt like he'd been set up, the warden told him if he said another word that he would confiscate his gun and vehicle. I know he planed to fight the charge but I never found out what happened.

I've been checked on the water and on the land and have never had a problem with attitudes fro GW's. I even got ticketed once long, long ago for being on the water after sunset but wasnt dark yet (but pretty close) without running lights but the guys were professional and just doing their jobs.

Then again, I know of others that took alot of verbal abuse from some of those same guys I knew back then. I just cant help but wonder if their own attitudes didnt bring some of that on themselves.:confused: Remember, those GW's are people just like you and me. If most of us get attitude from somebody we'll give it back.....theyre no different. Some of us try to do our jobs to the best of our abilities, well so do some of the GW's. Some of us try to follow the letter of the law....so do some of the GW's. Some of us try to bend the rules and expect the GW's to do the same.:rolleyes:

I am sure about the fact that all of us enjoy freedom................toooooooo many dumb laws are being past...the answer to this when it comes to game laws is BUDGET cuts......Budget cuts for not needed government positions............DAH you dont have to be given a ticket or be in violation of any game laws to NOT want your freedom taken away by senseless laws...DAH............Dah its simple stop wasting tax payers dollars by spending them on game depts that do little are nothing to improve habitat and DAAH Dont pass anymore restriction on our recreational freedom..........DAH

Bullfrog - I suggest you go to your Legislatures, State Representatives and Congressmen & women and propose to cut all game laws, natural resource conservation, oh, and yes, all regulations relating to all of our natural resources. Oh wait, while you're at it, go ahead and propose to remove all laws for your state.

That should get plenty of attention...

I'm done with this one...you just can't beat a dead horse or talk to a fence post very long, you'll get the same reply.

Amen to that. I dont understand him one bit.

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Originally Posted by Breambuster

Bullfrog - I suggest you go to your Legislatures, State Representatives and Congressmen & women and propose to cut all game laws, natural resource conservation, oh, and yes, all regulations relating to all of our natural resources. Oh wait, while you're at it, go ahead and propose to remove all laws for your state.

That should get plenty of attention...

I'm done with this one...you just can't beat a dead horse or talk to a fence post very long, you'll get the same reply.

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Wild life and fisheries will not go to Georgia to hunt for big foot--rep say he is not on endangered species list...Click on link to see why we need budget cuts...soon...:eek: Georgia men claim hairy, frozen corpse is Bigfoot - USATODAY.com

I appreciate all of your comments, good and bad. I have been a Wildlife Officer in Tenn. for 16 years in the county that I grew up in. I try to do my job to the best of my ability. The most important tool that I use is my HEAD. You have to have alot of common sense. I could go on about this subject for months. You have no Idea how many bald face lies that I have heard over my career. For those of you that are or thought about getting a degree in this field, the pay will get better the longer that you work. I still love to fish and hunt and have plenty of opportunity to do so. If you like the outdoors, it is the best job in the world. If there are any more game wardens out there please chime in and help me out.

I've don't have any problems with any of them, If I do its my fauth not there's.
I have respect for those guys, they see the worst of people.
I think it takes a lot reserve to deal with these sorry lying dumb ass jerks taking our game and fish.
And then they got the gall to get an attitude towards to man hired to help protect our game and fish, when they are in the wrong....sheet.
They better be glad I ain't a wildlife officer catching them, I'd bring smoke, fire, and brimstone on there ass.
That's all I'm gonna say about that right there....As Forrest Gump would say.

crappie cowboy

See we could use some of the money budget cuts would give us to get extra anger management class"s going in TN..........And someone ought to least go see if that thing in Georgia in the freezer is big foot!

Money talks and s--- walks. I see the WO's out on holidays harrasseing weekenders in their small flat bottom boats. But have never seen them bother the Bass guys having tournaments in their big fancy boats. We have even complained about their rudeness and dangerous way they drive the boats. About them drinking and littering with beer cans. But get told we are mistaken by the WO. :rolleyes:

I'm no bootlicker and I have seen some doozies. The story I am about to tell is a true story the characters were real characters and I am only gonna tell the one here i have a few. While fishing in Ok at a boat dock the local game wardens decided they was gonna check licenses and fish. They were very professional and looked at everyones fish and license. Then they had this problem. Everyone had checked out fine so noone was ticketed. But the motor on their boat had expired. Now folks they was twelve miles down a private road and all of these GW were together in one big happy boat. The gate is always locked at this boat dock so you don't enter by land. Had me a captive audience for a while as I lectured on the finer points of harassing fishermen and then hoping one of them was good ole boy and would someone please take us back to town. I did and the guys never even said thanks. Never offered any gas money either. I like having security but I also like for those bright tough boys to have a little bit of class too. Guess I am getting old.

They'd still be paddlin' if it were me, fer sur.

aj

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Originally Posted by Arkie John

They'd still be paddlin' if it were me, fer sur.

aj

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me too--paddling good for you ~~~right:eek:

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Originally Posted by possumcop

I appreciate all of your comments, good and bad. I have been a Wildlife Officer in Tenn. for 16 years in the county that I grew up in. I try to do my job to the best of my ability. The most important tool that I use is my HEAD. You have to have allot of common sense. I could go on about this subject for months. You have no Idea how many bald face lies that I have heard over my career. For those of you that are or thought about getting a degree in this field, the pay will get better the longer that you work. I still love to fish and hunt and have plenty of opportunity to do so. If you like the outdoors, it is the best job in the world. If there are any more game wardens out there please chime in and help me out.

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I ain't from Tenn PossumCop,, but I thank you.

I've been pulled over and checked out by fish cops in a vehicle and in my boat many times. I've never had a problem with them giving me tickets I didn't deserve.
Although I've only gotten one ticket, that was dismissed, when I went to court. I explained to the judge, there was not a law for the charge. That office that gave me the ticket was appreciative that I clarified the ruling.
Now,,, on the other hand. If I had gotten the ticket and the law was clear? I would have been more then happy it was issued and would have paid.

Bullfrog, it sounds like your against most rules and have a problem with authority as a whole.
If you feel so wronged by your DNR or the people that want to keep up the 'system'.
By all means,,,,,,,,,,,,get out there and VOTE.

Most of complaints on this thread are about being check on the water. I live out in the country and every year the road I live on has deer poachers who will shoot deer from there vehicle or trespass on neighbors land. Without our Wildlife officer who does come when called, it could get ugly if left up to neighbors to handle this problem. I appreciate the job they do.

If we lived in a country without law it would be chaos. The only part that bothers me is they look for violations amongst those who are most generally decent citizens. A policeman or state patrol can only stop violators in violation of a law. The game department can stop to see if you maybe violated a law and in my own opinion this is harassment. When I say this everyone will wonder where I am coming from. Don't wonder, I am a strong conservative who believes in law and order. I have been checked numerous times in my life and only ticketed once. I had forgotten my plug during dove season about ten years ago. I paid the fine. But folks I scratch my head at 5 shells or three??? They fly so fast you don't get but a couple of shots anywho. This is a frivolous unnecessary law on hunters who provide the money for game management in their state anyway. And no respect is shown for the constituents who pay their wages. At least most seem to be that way. I have met a few really great wardens that were just good ole boys doing the job.

TreednNC hit the nail on the head. Excellent reasons to all the anti GW's whiners. If you are perfect doing your job all the time you should be a poster child. If you obey the laws you do not have anything to whine about. Probably the same bunch that cry to the GW when they find somebody in their stand or someone steals their tree stand!

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Originally Posted by BULLFROG-1

See we could use some of the money budget cuts would give us to get extra anger management class"s going in TN..........And someone ought to least go see if that thing in Georgia in the freezer is big foot!

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Maybe try some Decaf? I think you might get a better response to your ranting if ya VOTE for the correct people, AS far as checking on a BIG FOOT in a freezer in GA, why waste the money? He isn't real, I can tell ya that for sure, the real one lives out back here and stays in the barn when it gets cold..... Likes pancakes too...:D Not that beef jerky stuff........;)

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Originally Posted by FisherMike

I ain't from Tenn PossumCop,, but I thank you.

I've been pulled over and checked out by fish cops in a vehicle and in my boat many times. I've never had a problem with them giving me tickets I didn't deserve.
Although I've only gotten one ticket, that was dismissed, when I went to court. I explained to the judge, there was not a law for the charge. That office that gave me the ticket was appreciative that I clarified the ruling.
Now,,, on the other hand. If I had gotten the ticket and the law was clear? I would have been more then happy it was issued and would have paid.

Bullfrog, it sounds like your against most rules and have a problem with authority as a whole.
If you feel so wronged by your DNR or the people that want to keep up the 'system'.
By all means,,,,,,,,,,,,get out there and VOTE.

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:pyour close..........Im against anymore lose of freedom(call it what u may)Im against wasting tax payers money (which includes out servicing seasonal government jobs..such wildlife as and fish biologist).:)