Lake of the Woods Warden

[thatoneguy]

I don't understand your use of the term "run-in". How can you call it a run-in when you had too many lines in the water and the warden was respectful?

Can you imagine the number of folks they encounter with the same excuse whose true intention is to fish multiple lines? How does he know who really mistakenly left the line in and whose intentions are illegal? You could be the most honest person in the world, but he doesn't know you. The most important things are that he is consistent in his job and he is respectful.

Could it be there was a bit of intention to place the blame somewhere it doesn't belong?

What he said x 10000

[CropDuster301]

I think this guy and the guy that was mad at Babbler for not plowing the road in a blizzard(even though he was told no plowing) should get together and have a beer!

[bak2MN]

I agree!

[dougger222]

Had a CO visit the permanent a few years ago. He coasted up on his sled then quickly went to the front door pounded on it and then quickly peeked into the window. Guessing he was mid to late 30's. When inside he kept looking down and around the holes. Asked a lot of questions some of which were odd in nature to say the least. His behavior reminded me a border patrol on suspect of illegal activities. It was right before dark and outside the house lay 8 saugers and 8 walleyes, 2 fisherman! We were legal begal but he definetely suspected something...

The next year my dad had one visit the permanent and he was concerned the fish house didn't have any reflective markers. He allowed my dad to finish fishing and at dark he went into town to get markers.

A friend of mine a few years ago refused to let a CO into his wheeled house on a lake in Southern MN. As a result the CO found expired tabs on his atv and issued a ticket.

[Kaz]

We had a CO stop at my house and we invited him in, as I saw the Red Lights on the front of his snowmobile. He asked for our licenses and we showed him. I notice we could not see any badge, so we asked who he was. He laughed and said "I guess you have a right to ask" and showed his credentials. It was a cold day and he was bundled up... He warmed up and we chatted for a while and he left. There was another CO who retired a few hears ago, a native amercian can't remember his name, but he was a good guy and not real serious, "just doing the job" I can't say I've run into any bad ones at LOTW and I've been going there for over fifty years.. That was when River Bend was Gerharts Resorts.. Lots of water down the river since then.. LOL

[bopper4]

We ran into him earlier this year and he was very curtious and friendly. We did have a problem with a warden up there years ago that told us he was up there putting in some overtime. He was from down south somewhere and was a real jerk. He questioned us for about 10 minutes and asked us where we were stashing our fish and proceded to go through our trucks, coolers, and everything else we had.

I can say that we ran into milbridge last year and he was a class act. Very friendly plus he has ties to the range. By far one of the nicest wardens I have ever ran into.

[RainyRiverRat]

I have never posted a message on these boards, but after reading this one, I had to say something. I have lived in the Lake of the Woods area since '94, and have seen numerous Game Wardens in my time as a local sportsman. I have been checked by this "newbie" (I think he is around 30 actually if that really matters) several times before over the past several years, and he has always been respectful and is a very hard worker. I can't imagine how difficult of a job it is to be a Warden in this area as a huge percent of the local economy is based on hunting and fishing in which he must enforce. Just look at the scrutiny he is getting for just doing his job. We are lucky to have a young dedicated Warden up here, and I am suprised all the local people who read these posts don't stand up for him!

[WingDing2]

Bump to the Top!

[Big "T"]

I JUST FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE SOMEONE WOULD EVEN POST SOMETHING LIKE THIS. WAS IT THE WARDEN'S FAULT YOU FORGOT TO TAKE THE LINE OUT. I DON'T THINK SO! I THINK NEXT TIME YOU FORGET TO TAKE YOUR OTHER LINE OUT AND YOU GET A TICKET YOU SHOULD KEEP IT TO YOURSELF. I KNOW I WOULD BUT THEN AGAIN I ONLY FISH WITH THE LEGAL AMOUNT OF LINES!

[CaptainMusky]

Complaining because someone was actually doing their job is kinda sad. How many times have people complained about "where is the warden now?" when they see something going on and there doesnt happen to be one around to catch the perpetrator? These folks have a large square area that they have to cover and it is amazing that they have a polite attitude at all considering some of the poeple they run into.

It seems that every time someone is checked they feel offended because of it.

This guy did his job, you should be happy that he is out there doing it. These folks would probably much rather be fishing or hunting too, but are forced to actually work.

I honestly cant believe that someone could post complaining about this. How was he to know how long that other line was in there?

I bet you dont make this mistake again so its a win win.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

Geez, Come on guys!!!! Let it go!!!! We were checked several years ago by a warden who came up from the Mankato area. Polite & professional. He told us that earlier in the morning they caught several guys cooking meth in one of the shacks. Now that is what I want to hear!!! And by the way, if they caught you fishing illegally, good for them!!!!!

[Loose]

He told us that earlier in the morning they caught several guys cooking meth in one of the shacks.

Ha Ha Ha idiots!

[bak2MN]

Originally Posted By: Capt. H (Ret.)

He told us that earlier in the morning they caught several guys cooking meth in one of the shacks.

Must not have been able to catch any fish to cook.

[Raider4ever]

Bottom line is, he is reading your post and knows who you are. 20 year olds are very computer literate.

LOL!!!!!

[LakeoftheWoods]

lol, I know he has facebook.

[puckey]

I just can't beleive how many people break the rules, thank God there is someone out there watching us. Just stop and listen to even some of our young teen sportsman talk about 1) not knowing the laws 2) and flat out breaking them. Thank you Wardens.

[chewy630]

Goro my man!! You really need to keep these kind of things to yourself!!! Hell sometimes I fish with 8 lines down, but I make sure there are 3 others fishing with me. Keep on fishing & paying them fines!!!

[walleyehunter80]

yup thank you law breakers for payin them fines and keeping the money flowing into the state...................less taxes I have to pay!!!

[Big A]

Thank you Officers for doing your jobs and doing them well enough to generate such a strange and at times very sad discussion here for all of us who are bored enough to read it.. Some people just wont ever get it.. but thats job security

Your never thanked enough and I personally know that you have a very thankless job at times. I was just discussing with friends and family today how often they have found a Conservation Officer on LOTW and other lakes we like to fish.

I am Very VERY glad to hear you are all out there doing your jobs and doing them well. I can only wish there were more CO's available to clean up those who cannot follow the rules and be respectful to our lakes.

Thank you.

God bless you and your families.

[iceranger792]

Come on guys can you even Start to imagine what some of these wardens have seen! THEY'VE SEEN IT ALL, AND HEARD IT ALL ALREADY!!! This is why some of em just announce their the warden and open your zipper or door, cause they just dont know whats waitin for em! They're forced to develop these tactics.. How many times you think they've heard guys fumbling and whispering as they're walkin up to your fish house? I'll tell you, LOTS! Theres alot more lawbreakers out there than you think. Look at all the people out there on any given wk end. A certain percentage of that mass is going to be lawbreakers. Some people justify they're actions by taking(1 or 2, no big deal, right?) slot fish cause they spent an arm and a leg on they're trip.. I can only imagine what that percentage might be! I bet its alot more than most people think..

[harvey lee]

Thank you Officers for doing your jobs and doing them well enough to generate such a strange and at times very sad discussion here for all of us who are bored enough to read it.. Some people just wont ever get it.. but thats job security

Your never thanked enough and I personally know that you have a very thankless job at times. I was just discussing with friends and family today how often they have found a Conservation Officer on LOTW and other lakes we like to fish.

I am Very VERY glad to hear you are all out there doing your jobs and doing them well. I can only wish there were more CO's available to clean up those who cannot follow the rules and be respectful to our lakes.

Thank you.

God bless you and your families.

Very well said and thank again to all the CO's protecting our resource.

[hawgchaser]

Some years ago I took a job as a CEO of an organization in an area I was completely unfamiliar with. One of my employees was the wife of a warden/CO and he took pity on me and let me tag alone with him for an afternoon to show me some "spots" to hunt. He shared with me that, in his 15+ years on the job, he'd had his home vandalized - his personal vehicles vandalized - and two holes shot in his state vehicles. The saddest part of our conversation was when I asked him about when he does his own hunting and fishing. His response was that, after seeing what he'd seen over the years, he had little interest in hunting (especially) or fishing anymore and that about half of the COs he went to school with felt the same way. THAT'S QUITE A PRICE THEY PAY TO PROTECT OUR RESOURCES!

In almost 50 years of hunting and fishing, I've been checked many times. Most of the times I've been treated with consideration and respect. Regardless of the CO's attitude, IMO, the respect due is from me to them, especially in light of what they see and experience in doing a very thankless job.

THANK YOU, CO s FOR DOING THE JOB YOU DO!!!

[CANOPY SAM]

goro0202. Here's another post that will likely be removed shortly. It's pretty clear that most people on FM empathize and respect our state's conservation officers.

In your latter posts you say you know it was your fault, but in your first post you say, "I don't think I deserved the ticket." The little red angry face icon sort of indicates you were unhappy with the situation, or the warden who ticketed you. Then you shift gears to what appears to be some sort of age discrimination issue. Not bashing you buddy, but you've stepped over the line here.

Everyone has to start somewhere, including law enforcement officials. You said he was "respectful enough about it", but that he was the "newbie" on the lake. Are you implying that a more seasoned CO might have let you slide?

This is a weird thread. The CO's age, and experience might have come into play if he'd made a mistake, but that wasn't the case. You state he was "respectful enough about it", but make no mistake, it's not his job to be respectful to lawbreakers, no matter if he's 20, 40 or 65 yrs. of age. He has a job to do, and it's a dangerous one. It makes a whole lot more sense to be respectful of them, no matter their age.

I'd guess that these guys are more frustrated than anyone about all the infractions they see. They're likely "on edge" with almost every stop they make. If they seem a little contrite when they find you breaking the rules I think a little attitude on their part is more than justified.

[ChuckN]

+1.

Excuse the pun, but from what I understand from his posts he's "fishing" to try to get people to talk bad about this warden. He's a little upset for his 3rd line "mistake" and wants to shift blame, or get conversation going about this warden?

Odd.

A thread made for the trash.

[Nipper7272]

The bottom Line is You BROKE THE LAW Mistake or NO Mistake SUCK IT UP and pay the FINE

[TXCharger]

I have only been checked twice in my 40plus years of fishing and was found in compliance both times. I have been treated with respect and treated the officer with respect. Same gentleman both times about my age. When he visited my portable, he looked at licenses and in my pail and was on his way. I think he must have felt sorry for me that day as we didn't have many in there!! Does everyone roll up there 2 lines when they step out of the house to get some fresh air, grab some more beer, or go next door to show off a fish? I know I do. And for the age of the authority figure, I can say that the poster was never in the military. In my career I had a lot of platoon leaders and executive officers that were fresh out of college. Did they know where the bear squatted in the woods? You bet they did, some seasoned sergeant showed them.

[BrdHunter01]

Just stop and listen to even some of our young teen sportsman talk about 1) not knowing the laws 2) and flat out breaking them.

Who are you to assume the young guns are "flat out breaking them" Give me a break. Its the old timers that are the game hogs and think they own the lake because they've fished it for years.

I am a younger fishermen although I've been fishing since I could walk and I know many younger fishermen that don't EVER break the law! And yes they do "know" the law. On the other hand I know many Older folks that break the law almost EVERY time they go out. No regards for slot limits at all! Makes me sick!

[Big A]

This thread is making me

I am suprised it hasnt been removed.

enough already... please

[H2O Milfoil]

I fish in Michigan and Wisconsin as well as my home state here in MN. So it's no surprise I read the Outdoor News for each state, and one of my favorites is the "Cuffs and Collars" section. VERY educational! I see the same issues...out-of-staters going home with obscene over limits...oldsters over the limit, or too many lines...youngsters over the limit, or too many lines...snowmobile violation, underage drinking, DWI, etc, etc. You guys can check it out, for free, online. What really tickles me, though, is how many guys get busted by the CO for fish/game violations but they have outstanding warrants, parole violations, etc. They don't seem to realize that a CO is a standard law enforcement officer and the violator will go to jail immediately for what might seem to be something as "trivial" as fishing without a license, or snagging, or baiting, etc. As Jay Leno would say, my favorite is the stupid criminal!