Just saying.........

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I've been watching the National Geographic channels series on the game wardens in California......all I can say is that must be one bugger of a state to try and hunt in; it amazes me that the game wardens can remember all the rules and regulations in their heads w/o refering to any kind of booklet, ect.
Showed them ticketing a guy for having lead shot in a no lead area, then showed them finding an illegal marijuana planting on state land (I guess the growers of medical marijuana in the state don't like competition?)

Anyway, I got to thinking: They were carrying M1As and AR15s while on the bust, and if they were in the same "no lead" area, did they have non lead ammunition in those firearms? I mean, God forbid they should shoot one of those illegals at a grow site and he should get away to die later and have his remains scavaged by an endangered California condor and have the condor die of lead poisoning.......

Just saying.............................

[Jack]

. . . :d . . .

[popplecop]

Interesting question. I have a friend who is a retired Cal. warden, I'll ask him.

[fabsroman]

I watched that show once and they busted a complete moron that was poaching deer at night with a bow while they were in people's front yards. He had been doing this for a while it seems. When they went to bust him, he was married, living with his mother in what looked like a trailer, and his mother was a piece of work. I think he had also been in trouble for drugs or they found drugs on him. I cannot remember. Maybe it was the mother that had a rap sheet involving drugs.

At the end of the day, I wouldn't want to be a law enforcement officer. At the same time, I think law enforcement officers need to obey the law they themselves attempt to enforce. Saw a video from Texas the other day where an officer was repeatedly kicking a guy in the head after the guy was face down on the ground and entirely subdued. We have a case here in Maryland that was caught on video of some Prince George's County officers just beating the snot out of a college kid. Turns out that the college kid's father is an attorney. Instant video is going to change the way things are done nowadays, and a lot more people are going to be held accountable.

[buckhunter]

I watch that show a couple of times. I got the impression that everybody they talked to was guilty of sometime and they were out to prove it. Now I have know a number of wardens over the years and that is not the way they conduct business although I have know a few like that. I don't watch it anymore. Seems like a bunch of earger beavers trying to make a name for themselves.

[Larryjk]

I have watched that show from time to time and was really glad that I have never met a Game Warden in Wyoming with that type of attitude. I did meet one like that in Colorado
who tried to give me a bunch of crap about searching my truck because I had been in an area where they were experiencing sage grouse poaching. Since I was working for the USDI and driving a government truck, I invited him to follow me to town about 5 miles where I would park by the County sheriff's office and let the sheriff hold the keys until he could have the judge issue a search warrant. He told me he didn't need one but I told him being short on probable cause he sure as hell did. He didn't take me up on the offer to follow me to the courthouse, but we were never good friends after that. He left the area in one day when someone shot holes through his truck when he was very close to it. He had not made many friends in the area. Never met another WCO in Colorado that had that type of attitude. I worked with them often which is why I was so pi--ed off at him. Have always had good relations with game and fish personnel.

[skeet]

Only game wardens I ever had any issues with was the federals. Willie Parker was one and another was a fed warden from Cambridge Md name of Bill Richardson..He was kind of beholden to a few landowners on the Eastern Shore though..if you know what I mean...Most of the state wardens I have had dealings with were for the most part very professional. The federal wardens were usually a**holes sad to say. A couple of honest forthright people though which was nice to see. Something about federal cops just doesn't seem like they trust the average person. I have had some dealings with the FBI that went pretty well though... usually very professional. I actually charged a federal warden with trespass and harassing waterfowl..He was really Pi--ed. The state guys didn't know what to do when they showed up to apprehend the trespasser. All in all it was kind of funny

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I watched the show again tonight.....I think I finally put my finger on what bothers me about it. All throughout the show, they kept refering to poachers/lawbreakers as "hunters".....to me, that's like calling rapists and murderers and drug dealers "citizens". There are times that they are condescending and patronizing, and I think that just goes towards making bad relations with good, law abiding hunters. I've been checked a few times over the years.....never had an issue (never been illegal), and the only one who was a bit of a ball buster was a female CO; she did give me a break, though, and I do appreciate that.
I sometimes wonder if these guys realize that at least part (if not all) of these guys salaries come from those of us who obey the laws and buy a license. They talk about 'saving the resource', but they don't give any credit to the law abiding hunter....its as if we are all guilty of destroying the ecosystem; it's just that some get to do it "legal like". Like the general public, there are more of us who obey the law than break it.....I realize that they have a tough, thankless job, but a little respect in the right situations can go a long, LONG way..........

Just saying.......................

[skeet]

And that is the way so many cop types feel about the average guy. Especially where there are lots of people. You are correct. The average hunter is honest and above board..but that doesn't sell on sensationalized TV..... they want to make us all look guilty. I will say it again..the average cop game warden whatever is no more or less honest than the average person..no more infallible either...we all make mistakes.... them too. just thinking out loud..lol

[skeeter@ccia.com]

you guys want to run into that type game warden here in Pa?...travel and hunt in the only state game lands we have in Allegheny Co. One deputy lives at the end of the road with his property butting against these gamelands. Yes, you do not want to be alone or be the last man out of the woods if he is around...I know, already been confronted by this guy...should not be a deputy as I explained to the real warden..I proved my case with google earth photos.and i was well within my rights. Allegheny Co wardens?..watch out for them.