I tried to be polite through this ordeal but they are the ones that began the “attitude”. Let me know what you find out. Thanks
**Everybody can have a bad day, and when a CO has just finished being trashed by some goober who refuses to admit to a flagrant violation…and wants to get physical about it…well, the next angler often gets the “fallout”. **
As most of us know, most officers are nice people whose job it is to cover way too large an area on way too little money. I am surprised that some of them stay in the department as long as they do. It is thankless work for little reward. They really have to like what they are doing…unless they are complete masochists.
I am not sure, but I think I am reasonably safe in guessing that people skills are not the highest priority in choosing a CO. They do have to have a measure of toughness and no-nonsense to handle the routine contacts they make on a daily basis. It is no wonder that some of them get a bit “chapped” in the line of duty. Too bad if we are the ones they stop or walk up on that day.
I have witnessed some pretty ugly handling of minor violations. In fact, I have received two tickets for things I did not do…and had to pay the fines. On the other hand, I have both witnessed and heard stories of officers going way out on a limb to avoid having to cite somebody…or to help stranded anglers when they got in trouble. It goes both ways.
All I know is that I would never want their jobs but I am thankful they are there to help us protect our resources and to punish violators who steal our fish and game from us through unlawful practices. I have my differences of opinions on some issues, but I do not condone painting all DWR personnel with the same brush. They ARE human beings and are entitled to have human traits.
I am waiting for a “news release” that I can copy and paste here. And, I will do so.
I gotcha. Most of the field guys here are excellent representatives for the DNR. They are great guys(and gals at one point). They are pretty much right on the money with the laws and will go out of their way to help someone.
I had a similar discussion with a officer a couple years back. I always wondered the same as you have. I have still not received an answer to my satisfaction. If you ever get one that seems straight let me know…
In my case the gent was very polite - so I was lucky, I can honestly say I haven’t had a negative run in with the DWR and as a hellion growin up in cache valley I am sure I gave them plenty of cause [;)]
[**I have fished for perch in several states around the country. Almost universally, the best perch fishing is in waters that get lots of angler attention for perch, but which have no limits or foolish regulations. I have read on many websites that there are no perch lakes that have ever been overfished to the point of depletion. Angler pressure alone is not a key factor in the cycles of perch population boom and bust. **
This is very true…take pineview for example. For years it never crashed, yet there was no limit and many people took numerous five gallon buckets out each time they went. There wasn’t even a dent in the population, EVEN with musky introductions. But within 2 yrs of the 20 statewide limit…immediate crash! Those fish just overpopulated and with no more daphnia around…all they could do was die. So they discover this and put it up to 50. Well, I dont anticipate to catch more than 10 perch at pineview at a time for years to come. I’ve given up on the recovery a long time ago. I no longer fish for perch at Pineview and probably won’t waste time doing so unless the numbers change dramatically. Switched to other waaaay more productive fisheries. Honestly, pike would be fun…but I don’t really want them in pineview. Muskies and pike would be top bass killers in there. The green fish are barely staying alive in there. There’s getting to be more of a fishable population but could be alot better without the water wolf patrol. Muskies are fun yes, but they do have consequences.
I too have had a negative run in with dwr. I called them on a poaching case in the northern region. the officer came and met me at the scene of the crime. the poacher was there cleaning his kill. the dwr guy started questioning me after I told him i was the one who called him. he still insisted that I had something to do with it. he became very aggresive and even got up in my face at one point. bad day or not it was unexceptable. Dwr officers have to live by a different code when on the job. i could have been a psycho with a loaded gun. They need to keep there heads in the field. On the other hand I have to good friends that are dwr officers and they have told be stories of stupidity by some folks. a level headed person will most likely prevail. life goes both ways but it takes two to tango. I wished the rules and regs where more clear. i think it would make dwrs job easier. oh well
I had a few run ins with DWR & Local Sherrifs Honestly I think for the most part the majority of them are level headed and will give you the benfit of the dought unless you blatantly break the law then you deserve to be cited. But Ive also run into a few others. One confiscated my late grandpa’s rod and tackle left his license it in the truck. Tried to convince him to walk with to the truck to get it but he refused.
Also got a buddy who a Morgan county Sherriff he actually patrols the fishing ares up there. says he gets more criminals with warrants or guys doing drugs then he does on his normal routine.. funny thing is allot of them have vaid fishing liceses LOL