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What's Your Experiences with GWs?

By my count, me and all friends/acquantences I know and trust that I've had these talks with I've had two positives vs 5 negatives. 3 of the 5 negatives were on the same game lands. One was a different area where this particular GW has a reputation, all charges were dismissed. The other was in a different state (MD) and just recently happened. They ended up searching everybody's cars after they couldn't find any violations and the farmhand got mouthy with the warden.
 
Over 50 years of hunting and I can’t remember ever having my license checked, even when hunting out of state. I think they just run my plate in the parking lot and see I’ve purchased the requisite license so they don’t even bother asking to see them.
 
It depends on what’s happening. I had a discussion with a fish cop over the definition of voluntary. He wanted to write me a ticket for not participating in a voluntary survey. That was interesting. There is another local that tries to make up crimes. He does good work but stretches a bit. Overall I do okay with the interactions. We all have bad days.
 
Some of the best people I know!!! They love hunting as much as we do and want to keep it growing strong, and they know that there are dirt bags who cast a shadow on hunting and hunters. The ones I know care about the game they protect and also care about the ethical and responsible hunters that pursue the game we all respect.
 
Haven't had any hunting interactions yet, have had 3 on land and one on the water while fishing here in Maryland. They've all been older dudes for me, I guess I don't have the luck some other Marylanders do lol. All very positive/respectful, one guy even gave me a bottle of water to clean my leg up when I slipped on muddy riprap and left some of my shin skin behind. Generally I open with "do you want to see my license?" And they counter with "have you caught anything today?" While I'm holding it out, we shoot the crud for a bit, and have even learned some fishing spots from them, though jury's out if it was real spots, they didnt translate to any fish for me when I tried em but could have just been a bad day. There are plenty of fishing poachers in my area and opening with making their job easier goes a long way.
 
Of the few encounters I've had with Iowa and Neb. Conservation officers, they were all good. They were professional and courteous. No complaints.
 
A couple of guys that I've hunted ducks with were on Indian Lake, for opening day of duck season, a Saturday. These guys are "duckaholics", have all the toys and accessories. :cool: They had their limit by noon and headed back to the boat ramp. As they approached the ramp there were 2 GWs waiting on the dock. These GWs were U.S. Fish & Wildlife Officers....Feds. He said those guys asked them to leave everything as it was and step out onto the dock....and they did as they were instructed. The 2 Officers checked EVERYTHING! o_O Guns, ammo, life jackets, boat license, driver's license, hunting license, waterfowl stamps, etc., etc. They were also, VERY polite! :)

The very next day, Sunday, again they limited out by noon and headed back to the boat ramp. There were 2 Officers standing on the dock, but this time they were State GWs. They checked their guns for plugs, hunting licenses and stamps. Then they congratulated them on a successful hunt and went their way. :rolleyes: A day and night difference from the previous day.
 
With all the geese everywhere at least in my neck of the woods you’d think the feds would relax some regulations to get the numbers down. All I know is we now have more non migratory Greater and Lesser Canadas everywhere in my area. I love listening to the trumpeter swans fly over too but don’t think they are legal here but I’m not a waterfowl person at all.
 
Never had a bad experience in MN. That said, I had gotten to know my local COs though volunteering for the youth hunter safety classes. I don't think that influenced their interactions with me, but there's no way to tell.

I've heard nothing but bad things about Ontario MNR Constables checking American sportsmen in and near the BWCA/Quetico.
 
Bigterp said:
Yeah that might’ve made it awkward……. She was super professional & got her job done! Then asked if we had any success, plus @GCTerpfan has a pretty sweet bow. I’ll be shocked if she doesn’t pick up a trad bow at some point.
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I regret not offering to help her out with learning to shoot trad. Especially after she pointed out she lives in my town. I think she was really interested in learning and I also got the impression she was a fairly new hunter.
 
Iron_llama said:
Never had a bad experience in MN. That said, I had gotten to know my local COs though volunteering for the youth hunter safety classes. I don't think that influenced their interactions with me, but there's no way to tell.

I've heard nothing but bad things about Ontario MNR Constables checking American sportsmen in and near the BWCA/Quetico.
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Don't know about that but my wife and we're checked twice wilderness camping in NW Ontario. The second time a new game warden was so timid I had to tell him twice it was OK for him to check our RV refrigerator.
 
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In over 50 yrs of encounters w/law enforcement I've only had one bad dealing and that was a fish cop on Lake Erie. He was 200 lbs. over weight and had a nasty disposition. He was mad because I didn't inform him of my CCW before I got to shore in my canoe. I guess there's bad in any proffesion. After 20 yrs in law enforcement I always think of what an older training officer once told me. "Always treat folks like you expect to be treated and overall you'll be respected, and he was right. Some put that badge on and they are instantly better than you! I've also had LEOs and GWs drop off road killed capes that were good enough to save.
 
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