who dealt with the law

William

That is funnier then heck. I never seen a muzzle loader with a plug. My use to say there is no such thing as a dumb question. I think this once he could of been wrong .

Thank for a nice story
 
Paul

What a great story, You handled yourself like a pro. Glad the Police Officer was a good sport and let you get the bird. Thanks for letting us hear your law story. Sounds like a great hunt and a story for your grandchild.
 
Lets see which time. One time in the Columbia River Gorge we we set up along a cliff on a diver hunt. It was fairly windy day and were having a great shoot. We had taken a guy out with us that had never shot divers before and he was having a great time. He shot a nice goldeneye that he was planning on mounting. Then we see a boat coming up river pounding into the swells. We are talking about how that doesn't look fun and we could tell they were not duck hunters. As they got closer we realized they were the state police. They pulled up to us and asked how were were doing. We enthusiastically told them that we were doing great just about to fill our limits. Their response was "You know you can't hunt here." We were a bit shocked. They then explained to us that we were about 50 yards past the deadline and wanted to get out of the weather while we picked up the decoys so they could give us our tickets and confiscate our birds. Apparently this is problem in this area and they have to come out multiple times a season when dog walkers call it in and warnings are not an option. Since that day they have stopped us several times at the boat ramp before we launch to make sure we know where the deadline is. If that had only happened before that day. Ever since then when going to a new spot I contact the State police and get confirmation that I'm where I can be. Another time we were out at the Lewis and Clark Refuge on the Columbia and we were following the tide out on a mud flat trying to keep the decoys in a about 6" of water. The tide was moving fast so as we moved we left the birds we shot behind us as moved our way down. Just as the tide was out and we were about to pack up I shoot a nice bull sprig and out from behind pop out 2 Federal Game officers with a "Nice pintatil Can I see your license" We go through all the checks and we were fine. Then they ask how many birds we had shot. We knew how many and of what species and they looked at us kind of funny. So then we start walking back up picking up the ducks that were strewn out along the shoreline. Our count was spot on except for the 3 that were in the boat. When they asked where the other birds were we told them and they said " We know, we already checked your boat and we have been watching you for about an hour." I have few more but don't have time now to tell. All have ended well with the officers doing there job in professional manner and no more tickets! I always ask how often they catch somebody breaking the law and they always say that more than half of the people they check get a ticket.
 
Neal
Great story ! Glad you walked way without to much trouble. Did those other guys down river get tickets?
The law can be hard when it wants to be. I found out for the most part their just doing the job they signed up for. There are a few that are real ball busters.
Case in point, my brother and I were hunting. On the Hudson River in the marsh. It was low tide and we had about three hours to wait to get enough water to leave. A bored rookie federal officer walked all the way in the mud to us .It had to be about two hundred yards. He was covered in mud, must of fell a few time. Not happy at all, He ask us if we shot anything. He knew we didn't, because he and his partner watch us for a few hours. He ask us to put our guns down on the ground. Remember ! we're in the marsh and its muddy as heck. I said I'm not putting my 1200$ shot gun down in the mud. My brother said the same. After telling us he was going to arrest us take all or equipment and my dog. Yes and my dog. His partner knew the guy was having a hard time with us and started walking the green mile to us. All of a sudden the officer told us to forget it. He started back to his partner. Don't know why, all I can think of he was a screw up and didn't want his older partner to get pissed off at him after his long walk. Maybe the older man had a bad heart. I don't know but he would of had a fight on his hand if he took my dog. Guns ,boats,equipment, you can replace. But not a good hunting dog.

Thanks for the post
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Back in the day when you couldn't shot black ducks. I was hunting the south bay on the Hudson River near Catskill NY. My brother and I along with my yellow lab Henry were having a good mallard shoot. In the back of the bay there were some clowns. A flock of blacks flew over our heads so low Henry almost grab one in the air as they pasted by. We watched those guys open up on the flock. One of the cripples glided into our decoys. I sent Henry out to retrieve the bird. As Henry was swimming back two Federal Officer motored up on us. They heard the shots and came into the bay to check out what we were shooting at. When my dog brought the Black Duck to me the officer was ready to lay the smack down on us. Lucky for us those jackass in the back were sky busting at a flock of swans (in New York you can't hunt them) and the officer were off. They arrested both of them and found out the black ducks were all their, The Feds took their boat and everything in it plus their dog. Found out later their truck and trailer were taken also. It cost those guys like thousands of dollars in fines. Glad it wasn't us that killed those blacks.
 
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I've had some interesting " dealings with the law" like many of us over the years. On early morning stop as I was heading to the launch ramp with my well-grassed layout boat piggy backed on my duck skiff. The officer thought I had a boat load of stolen Christmas trees! Another time I was on a family trip in Vermont. We had sheep for wool at our home in Ct, and I was low on hay. I bought 6 bales from a farmer, and was transporting across a large lake in my 16' duranautic. I had docked my boat on one side of the lake, but the ramp was on the other side. My wife was driving the car and trailer to the ramp. The police stopped me because they didn't recognize my out of state boat registration sticker, a different color than Vt. After checking that out all was fine. I thought is was unusual the they never asked me why I had the hay in the boat; maybe everybody carries 6 bales of hay in their boats!
 
Sandy

Merry Christmas , I'll take a tree please. That is so funny, Can't understand why a cop wouldn't ask you about the hay. That's weird. Thanks for a great post.
 

On our way to Sask. we got pulled over for speeding. We were in Minn.and my buddy was driving.

Officer noticed the two Chessies in the back seat. Sez to my buddy. "I just bought a Chessie can you give me any tips on training." So we pull further over off the berm and my buddy spends time with the officer. All went well.

Afterwards the officer hands my buddy the ticket and sez. "Thanks for the advice and have a nice day."

I laughed like hell, cuz our rule was whomever was driving, and got stopped for speeding paid the fine. I mean hey, the officer has his job to do.

Jim found no humor in the experience, and did not send the fine in until weeks later, when we were in Montana upland bird hunting.

My buddy and the Chessies have Walked On, but I still have that memory.
 
Few years back the local game warden invited myself and my gunnin partner to hunt his point blind for divers and geese. Payback for me takeing his son duckin a few times while he was on the prow. Bluebird morning with a big cold front expected latter in the day. After getting decoys out we settled in to watch the cans fly up trhe river system about 10 minutes prior to legal. Legal arrives and we shoot a few bills and in comes this lone drake can. Comeing from wardens end of blind so hes first to shoot. He misses, my buddy misses on the flyby and for some reason bird cuts inshore and swings wide behind blind. About a 45 yard shot and I rolled it with it falling on marsh. As I,m lineing dog on retrieve warden says " let me see your shells, no way that was steel". As dog left for retrieve I found my empty and gave it to him. Don't even remember what loads I was shooting back then but they were steel. Well when dog returns w/bird just a dot of blood on neck. Had that bull can mounted to remember that day by. Haven,t been invited back by the warden by the way!
 
Got another one.

I was out hunting with my son who was under 12 at the time. My Dad and his buddy were also hunting with us. We ere hunting in WI and the laws are different than in MN. He had completed his hunter training class in MN but was not legal to hunt WI.

I had his single shot 20 gauge in the boat and let him hunt. He was having a blast. Just as he shot his first ever duck, I see off in the distance a boat heading right for us. I knew it was the law and I knew he had probably been watching us for some time. I told my son that this was probably a game warden and he is going to be asking a bunch of questions. Told him to answer every one honestly and to say "yes officer" and "no officer" and so on. Sure enough, guy pulls up to us and he is a federal agent (we were hunting the backwaters of the Mississippi). He proceeds to check everything in the boat and all is good. As he is about to leave he turns to my son and asks how old he is. Chris replies "I am 11 officer". Thinking we were in trouble the officer says to us that he is glad to see young kids out hunting with their parents verses sitting around playing video games. Asked if Chris was having a great time and if it was his first duck which he replies "yes officer". CO says that he isn't sure if the legal age in WI is 11 or 12 (he knew) but he did say that there are WI game wardens at the landing when we get back and that we may want to put my sons gun in the boat that he wasn't hunting out of. Tells us to have a good hunt, enjoy the day and wished my son continued success.

Great guy. Have run into him many more times after my son was of legal age.

Mark
 
Vince

I would of laugh my butt off too. Sorry your pal is gone. But that story will live for ever. Your friend is in heaven putting the decoys out as we speak. No hurry to get there, Duck season never is closed in heaven. Take your time. Thanks
 
Mark W said:
Got another one.

I was out hunting with my son who was under 12 at the time. My Dad and his buddy were also hunting with us. We ere hunting in WI and the laws are different than in MN. He had completed his hunter training class in MN but was not legal to hunt WI.

I had his single shot 20 gauge in the boat and let him hunt. He was having a blast. Just as he shot his first ever duck, I see off in the distance a boat heading right for us. I knew it was the law and I knew he had probably been watching us for some time. I told my son that this was probably a game warden and he is going to be asking a bunch of questions. Told him to answer every one honestly and to say "yes officer" and "no officer" and so on. Sure enough, guy pulls up to us and he is a federal agent (we were hunting the backwaters of the Mississippi). He proceeds to check everything in the boat and all is good. As he is about to leave he turns to my son and asks how old he is. Chris replies "I am 11 officer". Thinking we were in trouble the officer says to us that he is glad to see young kids out hunting with their parents verses sitting around playing video games. Asked if Chris was having a great time and if it was his first duck which he replies "yes officer". CO says that he isn't sure if the legal age in WI is 11 or 12 (he knew) but he did say that there are WI game wardens at the landing when we get back and that we may want to put my sons gun in the boat that he wasn't hunting out of. Tells us to have a good hunt, enjoy the day and wished my son continued success.

Great guy. Have run into him many more times after my son was of legal age.

Mark
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That's a great story. It's also been my experience with Warden Service and Marine Patrol officers in Maine. (Marine Patrol is generally who we'll see on salt water; Warden Serrvice inland.) I've heard lots of stories about wardens just looking to rack up tickets or sticking it to someone for a ticky-tack violation, but have never had that experience.

My partner and I were checked once by a team that I think was a Warden trainee and his training officer. The older guy let the young guy run things, and all went well while he checked our guns for plugs and our shells for lead and my canoe for life jackets and the fact that we had nothing in the bag. Then he asked to see our licenses, and I handed him my Maine license, and my separate signed duck stamp. He told me my stamp had to be attached to my license. I asked him whether that was in the state or the federal rules. He said it was a federal requirement, and I said, "I'm happy to attach that to my Maine license and sign it again, but I'm pretty sure the regulation simply requires that I have it in possession and that it is signed. I didn't attach it to my Maine license because I also plan to hunt migratory birds in New Hampshire this year. Do I need to buy a second stamp for that?" I was polite the whole time, but I knew I was right. At that point the older officer pulled him aside, said something quiet, and then the two of them wished us a good day.
 
Roy

Thank was a heck of a shot. I don't think you did anything wrong . You were just a better gunner then everyone else. Thanks for the post
 
Mark

That was a great story and good job by your boy. I am proud of you for telling your son to tell the truth. You don't get to many feds that are that nice trust me, Your blessed. Thanks for the post.
 
Jeff

Same thing happen to my brother and I . Your story is almost the same way it happen to us. The older officer watched as the younger did all the work. In our case my brother had the new computer type license . The fed never saw anything like it. He started given my brother a ticket. But the older officer step in . Told the youngest put down the book and lets go. He never made his partner look bad. Just said we have to report some where else. Thanks for your nice story.
 
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Derek

Yes they did. I know a few other cases that happen that way. Boat ,trailer, guns any equipment. They got everything back . But it cost them dearly. Something like 500$ a pound for the birds they had.
 
I have heard of guys getting equipment confiscated. in fact here in Iowa; the DNR has a large auction sale every summer of all of the confiscated boats, motors, guns, lot of guns, fishing equipment, ect. if they confiscate it here in Iowa; the only way you can get it back is to buy it at the auction. I have seen some guys "pay dearly" to get a gun back that evidently meant a lot to them.
 
Derek

They were Federal Officers that did the arrest. I think they got the dog back that night. They might of just took the dog. Because they were in cuffs and the boat truck and trailer were all towed. Thanks
 
I've had a few encounters with da law too. One time the local cops came on the beach where we had been set, up and were packed up and hauling several goose floaters on bags 1/2 the size of us on our backs, as backpacks. They had a complaint about someone shooting/hunting on the beach. We never got a shot that morning, but was another group. The police were trying to tell us that we were not allowed to hunt there. We pointed to a sign behind us put up by DU telling of the work they did there to the marsh. The spot was also listed in the regs. We were asked to show our hunting licences, etc. They stood down and let us continue back home without incidence. Days after, I noticed my Fed Duck stamp was missing from my licence holder! I looked everywhere and could not find it. I had to buy another!! At the end of the season, my buddy found it in his licence holder.[huh] Somehow in the confusion it was misplaced.
 
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