are you being watched????

[sturgeonslayer]

was fishing the wilson friday for steelies, and had a state police officer (in full camo) watch us with binoculars from the woods for about 30 minutes. after he came down and talked with us he claims he doesn't do this very often.. yeh right.... just a friendly reminder to the ifsh community be aware of your surroundings...

[Ryan Pultz]

Let them watch I am not doing anything wrong if they want to sit in the woods and watch let them they might catch my scratching myself :shocked: hey if they wanna see that go for it.

[craigc]

These folks are a lot more productive in using our tax dollars being outdoors than sitting in an office; pushing papers, or standing around the coffee machine.... They also can be invaluable in an unforseen emergency.... so, let them look... and maybe they'll be willing to offer some tibs bits of information/advise since they're outdoors more that I am...

[omnivore]

This is actually helpful to all law abiding anglers, since this will reduce and deter poachers and other illegal fishing activities. So as long as you're clean, you've got nothing to worry about.

[Gus Orviston]

Was he camouflaged in Black and White Holstein pattern, or more like Jersey like? They get pretty darn crafty in Tillamook County.

Haven't seen that behavior in years. The cadets were pretty sneaky for a while. Dressed in plain clothes and they get pretty chummy with ya, ask you a few questions then move on.

[BigSpinner]

I was fishing the wilson last week and i got stoped by a cop. I was fishing and he walked down and made sure i had a linense and all that good stuff. Really nice guy seemed like he wanted to be fishing too. He said lots of people catch trout and keep them and stuff like that. And a few natives being killed but that was about it. He said this year overall was going good.

Jeremy,

[Pilar]

This happens in the gorge too all you bank sturgeon anglers. Always thought it just a little coincidental that the man would appear at your side as you landed that oversize. Happened pretty much every time.

No big deal. Just be legit and encourage others to be the same. It's nice to see some enforcement effort on the riverbank. If it wasn't for fall hunting season you'd see more of this presence when the snaggers are so rampant.

[wiser]

Enforcement personnel aren't out there to "just pinch people". There are honest efforts at education, promotion of rules comliance and conservation messages being doled out on a regular basis. If you want it, they are generally a better source for current information than any other place. They are on the river daily. Many of them both personally and professionally. I've found them willing to talk about the when, where on how aspects of angling.
Of course, that's just my opinion.

[Gus Orviston]

You guys are right, they can be helpful. When they tell me other boats are catching fish, I ask them what rig'n you all are using, :tongue: .

I only wish they sold bait and tackle too, now there would be a fund raiser! graemlins/idea.gif They could really get into your pocket book!

[Fishalot]

[ 02-25-2002, 04:04 PM: Message edited by: Fishalot ]

[Lund]

I will take the fifth on this topic.

[Fishalot]

A guy just has to hate it when they start a thread with their intention set on people backing them up and the whole thing back fires. :shocked: I would like to think all the people on ifish are about keeping the law and from what I have read they are. I would turn a fishermen in for breaking the law in a heart beat. I have turned people in for keeping wild fish, snaging fish, keeping to many fish and a few other violations. So keep fishing when you see a person watching, lawinforcement or not. :wink:

Fishalot

[ 02-25-2002, 04:02 PM: Message edited by: Fishalot ]

[Snagly]

I've got no problems with having F&G types observing anglers from cover. In Alaska this is common practice. Depending on what's being done wrong, I've heard tales of undercover Alaska officers allowing sockeye snagging or some other crime go on all day or until the poachers are ready to leave. Then they get hit with enormous fines and court appearances based on the cumulative infractions observed. (Other times they nail you on the first violation -- snagging a king off a redd or similar.)

In Canada there's an even better approach: violators have their gear confiscated until they appear in court and settle their fines. At a minimum that keeps people off the water one or two days over and beyond what they pay in fines.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Fishalot should be turned in for double posting. :shocked: I see nothing wrong with warning folks about the fish warden. Heck, I saw a guy get a ticket for taking a leak up at Bonniville last year cause he was old and could not make it up the hill in time. :depressed:

Just makes us more aware and keeps us all honest in all circumstances. :wink: Don't think this post backfired at all. Just because "you" think that you do everything right does'nt make you "right" all the time.

Ok here is a warning for all you that may have boat violations out there. Yaquina Bay Coast Guard is boarding boats and taking names :tongue: They did this Sunday morning. Make sure you are in compliance and not incompetent. THERE!!!! :wink:

Keep up the warnings there Sturgeon Slayer. It is appreciated by some of us on the board. :cool: I never claim to be perfect, I just try to be. Ask my wife. She will set you straight. :grin: :shocked:

[hawgcatcher]

These Fish and Game State Police Officers do a darned good job. They work long hours and get little credit for the work that they do. A few years ago, I was listening on the scanner and heard them talking about a car full or some new citizens that were up in the hills riding around. Four of them in a small old datsun. One of the officers said they were so nervous that he bet that they had something somewhere stashed. They were going to keep an eye for them after dark. Sure enough, that night about 11, I heard them talking again that the vehicle had passed by. They stopped it and found two fawns in the trunk. They had been out there all day working and in this case it worked out.

Wish we had more funds so there could be more of them. It would sure save our wildlife and fish resources from those that cheat the law.

[Lund]

not everything is as it seems, How many Priests have been caught as of lately for bad things. These guys are supposed to be the purity of the earth. Cops are people too, scum and good! When someone cries wolf what happens. Doesn't take long to make a good fisherman into an outlaw. I'll admit not everybody is perfect, but lets look at it close. How many of you that spend lots of time on the water can honestly say that you have NEVER fractured a little law before. The percentage has just went in the tank. The law is supposed to be black & white, but there are so many gray areas it's just waiting to get you. I know I screwed up in the past and got hammered for stuff you can't even imagine. Not looking for sympathy of any kind, just to say they are not all good cops.

[sturgeonslayer]

wow!!! lots of conversation around this topic. I brought this up, because I had never experienced this before. I agree we should be punishing those people that are breaking FISHING laws. Can all of you honestly say that you have been on the river and have never used the woods for a little relief? I also thought the purpose of ifish was for information not to make some one look like a bad guy for posting info.... good luck and tight lines to all.

by the way St. FISHALOT. if you live in a glass house don't throw rocks....

[ 02-25-2002, 04:50 PM: Message edited by: sturgeonslayer ]

[STGRule]

If I fracture a "little law" or a big one I deserve what I get. It's like being pregnant. You can't be a little bit. You either are or you're not.
About relieving yourself in the woods. If you know your not supposed to and you do it anyway, don't be so surprised when you get in trouble for it. Unless you have a medical condition, you know long before it's a problem that you gotta go.
Bad cops? I'm sure they exist, % will be very low. Bad game cops? I believe that it's even less likely. Never seen one. I've been checked many times and it's always a pleasant, minor interuption of my day. I'm glad they are out there doing their job.

[Trick]

I've been known to clean an occasional fish along a stream. I've seen some of you do it too... :shocked:

On the urination subject... Had a guy a couple of years ago at the trojan ponds walk down between me and my kids. He then proceeded to urinate less than 3 or 4 feet from me while my kids stood and giggled on the other side of him. I didn't see the humor in it and proceded to give him a piece of my mind. I packed up and left right then...the bubbles floating on the pond turned me off to fishing.

Where are the "potty police" when you need them? :whazzup:

[Fishalot]

I have done the same thing and then wished I would have thought twice before making the post. I did come at your post with a little graemlins/icon_argue.gif so please take my apology, I hope I did not offend
you to much :rolleyes: . Best wishes to you and your fishing success this season.

Fishalot :smile:

[BONES]

I for one am very glad these people are out there watching over all our rights. I wish there were more of them. I don't necessarily agree with lund. The law may seem black and white but it is not. These people from my experience are very good at the gray areas and making the correct decision. Often these guys are putting their as*** on the line to ensure we still have the resources this awesome state has to offer.

[Joe Schwab]

Am I missing something here? I spent 25 years and some odd months as an OSP Game cop. I probably wrote somewhere in the neighborhood of 1500 -2000 game citations. I don't recall anyone including myself ever writing someone for taking a leak in the woods. Good grief, elk, deer, bears and all sorts of critters do it in the woods. Now in a public place, park etc., totally different.
As for grey areas, either you violate the law or you don't. It's that simple. It is up to the discretion of the officer whether he writes a ticket or a warning.
STG is right on. Sitting back and observing is basic game enforcement 101. Walking up blind and asking someone if they have violated any laws just doesn't work.
It was a great job and yes you can get a lot of good information from fish cops. Successful anglers just can't help divulging their secrets to the law.
One more little hint; Game officers hate to give tickets to nice people. It might make you feel good to give that cop a hard time but nothing gets the pinch book open quicker than a nasty mouth. Been there, done that. graemlins/icon_argue.gif graemlins/1zhelp.gif graemlins/1zhelp.gif

[BigSpinner]

Capt.Hook thanks for all the great work you have done. I think what you guys do is great. You look after mother natures little friends, and makes sure they are safe. When I have kids some day I don't want to tell them sorry we cant go fishing for salmon because they were all snagged, or we can't go hunting for deer because they are all dead. We all have the right to do what the law lets us. Its there for a reason, to help wild animals. And to make sure people down the road have the same chance to enjoy them as we have. This is a great board with great people and I would never say otherwise. Everyone take care, and be safe out there.

Jeremy,

[jayman]

surgeonslayers post is just a reminder to anyone who may be tempted :shocked: to break the law that "they may be watching". as far as OSP game officers out there sneaking around...the more the better!!!! :grin: i used to duck hunt with my grandpa and his friend, an OSP warden, nicest guy in the world. he even busted some of my fraternity brothers, who were catfishing on the LongTom, for having too many poles out (their girlfriends left and they didn't take their poles out of the water) :sleep: when they told me about it the next day, they had nothing bad to say about the experience. they screwed up and they knew it. plus they didn't get busted for the beer they had with them. discrection at its finest.
jayman

[omnivore]

After hearing about the **** citation, I was going to quit fishing all together. But what a relief it is to hear Capt. Hook say otherwise. Truthfully, I don't have a clue as to where to relieve myself when I'm fishing on Wilson all day long. And you know what a couple of cups of coffee will do to the frequency of needing to go...

So if you see steamy bubbles floating down your way, it just might be me upstream. Just kidding! I make sure I do it as far away and down stream as possible.

I was shocked to read that someone would actually **** just 3 or 4 feet away from another person, especially in front of children. I think I would have had a strong urge to put my boot to his booty.

[ 02-25-2002, 11:15 PM: Message edited by: omnivore ]

[Jennie@ifish]

I hope I'm being watched! (That is, unless I am in my pajamas again...)
If I'm being watched, that means that guy up there that is hooking and keeping wild steelies is being watched too... and the guy who is hooking and bonking cutts, and the guy fishin without a license, and the guy....
Oops! Could be a gal too!
But I hope they are out watching.
Lots of things to watch for!
:smile:
Jen

[Empire]

I have no problem with officers hiding out, watching me. I have driven past countless speed traps on the freeway, officers hiding behind signs and bushes watching me go by. Even with the knowledge of officers in the midst, some folks will break the law.

A Fish and Game office near me is located right on the river. Almost without fail, if I go to the river near the DFG office I will see some knucklehead snagging for fish, or fishing in the closed area below the offices. Some folks are just too stupid or ignorant, Fish and Game or no Fish and Game enforcement. You will see problems everywhere and they all stink!

As far as the citation for urination: It would be easy for an elderly gentleman to beat in court (as long as he was not peeing in a park or something). There is not a judge in this land that hasn't ****** in the woods.

[M W Sheller]

I wish there were more "game cops" in the field. But always remember, when the game cops aren't around, me or someone like me will be around, maybe with a cel phone or a video camera. So, do what's right.
Without ethics, there is no sport.

[metalhead madness]

WHEN I DUMPPED MY BOAT @ THE PARK ON THE KILCHES A FEW YEARS BACK. I FELT VERY GREATFULL THAT THERE WAS A GAME WARDEN RIGHT BEHIND ME. WITH OUT HIS HELP I WOULD HAVE LOST NOT ONLY MY BOAT BUT POSSABLY MY SONS LIFE. HE HAD A HEATER THAT THAWED MY SON OUT WHILE HIS PARTNER HELPPED ME RETRIEVE MY BOAT. ONCE BOAT RETRIVED AND ROPED TO THE ROADSIDE OF THE RIVER, HE GOT MYSELF, SON, FISHING PARTNER AND HIS DEPUTY TO THE OTHER SIDE. I FOR ONE HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN THE UPSTANDING CITIZEN THAT I AM TODAY. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE GROWN TO RESPECT AND ADMIRE ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT. I THINK IT WOULD BE HARD TO HAVE A JOB WHERE YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE THE HEAVY. I'M GLAD THEY ARE THERE AND HOPE THEY CHECK ME OFTEN. I HAVE SEEN TOTAL DISREGARD FOR WILDLIFE LAWS AND IT MAKES ME SICK. I AS WELL WIL USE ANY MEANS POSSABLE TO STOP ANY OFFENDERS I COME ACROSS

[sinker]

I have to agree with Snaglee's comment about watching all day and then nailing them with a huge fine. If they cared about the resource they're in charge of protecting they'd watch long enough to know it's going on and then nail them!! :mad:

Took my 3yo daughter with me Pt Defiance last summer to see what was coming in at the boat luanch. There's the normal fish checker dude and a woman game warden. They just got done searching some guys boat that was giving the fish checker a bad time. Didn't find anything but they burned up alot of the guys day searching his boat.
I sit back and wait with my daughter explaining to her who the game warden is and what they do until I see and hear they're done with this guy. At this point they're just chatting about nothing important.
I walk up to talk to them, fish checker was really friendly, tells me how everyone's been doing.
That game warden :mad: :mad: , I tried talking to that *****, she just ignored me. I didn't even exist.
She was ticked off because I interrupted her talking the fish checker into going on a ride-along the following week.
I figured she at least could have been courteous and acknowledged me and my daughter I was holding.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Don't know how the old man up at Bonniville did as far as beating the ticket for peaing. Just seemed so trivial to ticket him for it. He was half way up the hill and away from the crowd. When you are an old man with urinary problems, the urge to pea is sudden and tramatic. The other half of the hill meant pea in his drawers was a most likely event.

Yeah, if you break the rules you should get at least a warning or a possible citation. Certainly we are all innocent here. We all can walk on water. Well, except for those of you with cement galloshes. :wink:

I appreciate this subject being posted. It shows concern for other i-fishers and concern for the law. The intent of this post as I see it was to bring about awareness and keep us ALL honest out there on the water. Thanks. :cool:

[local_hooker]

I agree fish cops are a valuable resource. We need to remember that crooks are sneaky, so sometimes the cops need to be sneaky too.

Also remember that these guys staking out poachers at 0300am do not get off shift and jump into their new SUV and drag their new northriver down to the columbia. (unless they married well)
My point is......they love what they do. They love protecting your resource. They aren't in it for the money (35k-45k)

As for urinating in the woods. If the cops ticket him some people will scream poor judgment. If the cops don't ticket him another group will scream poor judgment.

I take my four yr. old fishing all the time and we have collectively left gallons of urine in the woods. Maybe there is a ticket in my future?

[husker]

big brother is watching you.....so smile....and enjoy the day....u might be on candid camera

[Nanook]

Please bring the ENTIRE Game Cop force to the Trask in October. We love you man. graemlins/hearton.gif graemlins/hearton.gif