Ground Blinds

[fabsroman]

I don't know about doing a global search of vehicles. I would really be surprised if that held up in Court. I have heard of sobriety check points, but that isn't even a search of the vehicle.

If an instance like yours were legal, what would stop law enforcement from setting up these road blocks everywhere and searching every vehicle that came through. What would stop states from setting up road blocks at every major interstate that came into the state and searching every vehicle that comes through. That would be a great way to keep drugs out of the state and a great way to generate revenue from all the citations that would be issued.

I think I would have really taken exception to that search.

Now, with game animals in view, that is an entirely different story. I guess seeing a game animal on top of a vehicle allows them to stop you and check to see if you are legal. However, without probable cause, I seriously doubt law enforcement can do this kind of stuff.

[honga]

Drummer,

Do you know that story is for real or is it just one of those things that get started and get better with each telling. I cannot imagine any warden writing a ticket on one sunflower seed, and in particular one sunflower seed in a sunflower field where you are allowed to manipulate (mow or knockdown) the standing crop to attract birds. Since manipulation is legal, the picking and dropping of one sunflower seed is legal as well. Something about that story is a bit strange.
Now on the other hand had that same individual brought a bucket of sunflower seeds to the field with him and scattered them he would definitely be in violation of the baiting law.

[honga]

Those searches are legal. The laws regulating searches of vehicles vary from state to state with regard to hunting activities but generally there is a greater latitutde granted to LE to search vehicles involved in hunting/fishing activities since they are permitted by license. The courts have upheld "game checkpoint" operations when specific guidelines are followed by officers operating the checkpoints.

[drummer]

But it's still a good story.
I know the source of that story personally, and he's a rather complicated character.At it this point I'm not sure what you can believe out of him.

It's obvious that you are a wildlife officer and have waded through your share of B.S., both on the net and in the flesh.I have a degree in wildlife management and have worked with our state wildlife people in several projects:I'm involved and fairly informed.That said,knowing some of the people in our agency, I don't doubt the validity of that story.

Don't take offence.Nobody is dissing LEOs on here.I used to take it personally when people criticize wildlife biologists.(I still get hot when they say "I don't understand why we don't have quail?")
It's the internet and it's best not to even worry about what you hear.


I just made a phonecall to try to verify the story. I was told that the story was probably bunk.Sorry

[honga]

Drummer,

I'm not taking it personal at all..no problem. I am a retired Game Warden who also worked as a W/F Bio/Tech for several years prior to becoming a warden. I guess I mentioned that to illustrate that I know exactly what you're saying.."we have no ducks because we can't bait 'em no more" or " the only way to have plenty of quail is to shoot 'em, 'cause they only breed when you shoot 'em". I've heard it all.
I guess I still feel obligated to speak up when I hear tales about inept or unfair wardens. I know they're out there and will be the first to agree to the criticism when I know that they did do something stupid, however I've learned that there is often more to the story than we hear from the teller. I do get upset by guys in LE that forget that they are working for the resource and the public. When the job becomes nothing more than a ticket to an officer then I believe that that officer is missing the point. We cannot preserve and protect the resource in any really effective way if the wardens and sportsman are at odds all the time. It must be a cooperative effort to be successful...that being said I will admit that I do miss catching the bad guys.

[fabsroman]

Honga,

Well put and well met. I agree whole heartedly. A few bad apples can ruin the reputation of an entire profession, and you rarely hear about the good apples because they are more abundant and the stories don't sell.

[drummer]

Excellent response and glad you are here.

[8X56MS]

I have not hunted public land in several years now. I do use a ground blind up at the hunt camp in South Georgia. We have over 2000 acres, and we hunt in designated areas. Not much chance of anyone coming along. We don't wear orange duds.
In Florida, I am still hunting on several farms around Alachua County. I use tree stands there, or still hunt, but I don't worry about other hunters, nor do I wear any orange clothing when hunting those areas.

[gmherps]

I put an orange towel on the outside of my Matrix when I hunt.