But what seemed a little odd about it was that I was working on my tractor at the time. He first drove up to my trailer and then later noticed that I was over at the barn. He asked to see my license and then asked if I had any luck this season. I told him I had taken a doe earlier and he asked me when, I suspect thinking I might admit to taking it after the antlerless season had ended.

Overall it was a very positive experience, and I like to know they are patrolling the area. Still, I think it borders on being a little too aggressive when you're not in the woods and just trying to work on your tractor.

Its good to know that they are out and about in the area!!!

Agreed.

I made the post with thoughts it might generate some useful comments on what tactics other officers use in when policing their areas. For example, when they do find problem hunters in an area, they probably keep a tight rope on everyone to avoid being seen as harassing a specific group.

It doesn't really matter to me but I am curious as to whether or not you would have to show him your hunting license when you were not hunting and in the ops case, working on the tractor. I understand having to show photo ID but not hunting license .

At my last lease, the president of the lease was a local fellow and would stay in contact with the GW and actually spent several nights at lease looking for poachers with GW!!! I think that good relationship and the communications with LO's and lease club presidents help makes the GW's job much easier!!!

Wouldn't have to show either unless he is accusing you of a crime.

Yes, I've found that feelings often vary between hunters about getting checked. While it didn't bother me to get checked while working on my tractor, I know plenty of guys wouldn't have the same feeling about it.

Every year they seem to work the camps in our area in this manner as if to simply check compliance with all of us. And since I'm not always there when they pass by, perhaps he just noticed my truck and decided it was my time to get checked.

Yeah, that's odd. I can fully understand if your hunting....but on a tractor at your barn?

While that maybe true, I'm one to do my best to keep a good relationship, less I give him good reason to cite me while riding my ATV down the dirt road to the place I hunt.

I would do the same, but legally you are under no obligation to do so.

That's not true!!! They check everyone they can!!! Why would you want to cause more trouble for yourself in the long run!!!

I'm just gonna bow out of this so I don't get accused of bashing LEO.

Wonder what the season and bag limits are for a Massey?

What if you left your wallet/license up at the house? What if you weren't a hunter and have never purchased a license? Would that have been an issue......we will never know.

BTW Flip, I just noticed your sig.......that is sad.

This story strikes me as being curious towards the Game Warden. Now, if had walked up to you on your private property to introduce himself and discuss local issues pertaining to violations of game laws that's one thing. Or, if someone had reported suspicious activity then he could approach you. However, the way the original poster described it, I would be offended and not very happy to be questioned for no reason.

Strange, seems awfully intrusive to me. Where you at your house or at a hunting camp?

Flip, that sucks about the issue in your sig....did he cash the check?

No, not yet, just won't return it or the brass.

My trailer is parked in the yard of an old home place. One of the landowners has his mobile home parked on the property as well.

I suspect the officer saw my truck parked in front of my trailer and had the intention of knocking on my trailer door and check me in that fashion. It was only after he had got out of his truck and approached the trailer that he saw that I was outside the barn working on my tractor. I was adding more antifreeze to it after seeing that it checked weak.

Again, I really did not mind getting checked, even in the fashion that he did it. I should add too that while he checked my license, he didn't ask to see my ID as well. As I said earlier, I felt he was just checking compliance and keeping his presence known to everyone in the area.

It should be noted too that he has checked us in years past when someone was cleaning a deer in the barn, so the place can be seen as a camp of sorts. And I don't believe he has stopped and checked anyone at our place this year.

Seems a little over-reach to me.

Technically no basis to ask for a hunting license or no need for you to have one since you were not engaged in any activity related to hunting or had no obvious containers that could be holding game.

But I would have acted just as you did. No need to make trouble just to "show off".

It did not set too well with a couple of the landowners who later learned of it as well. They had the same opinion as you.

Seems kind of nutty to me. There shouldn't be any compliance required to work on your tractor. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the job those guys do. However, not every leo is honest and your rights are your rights. What county are you in?

The issue does bring to mind what is acceptable and viewed as respectful of both the officer and the citizen when a hunting camp is something between a camp and a personal residence.

You don't know that compliance was "required," he just asked for it, Dan didn't say the gw demanded it.

I agree, no probable cause for license check or visit and a little aggressive. Most I've been exposed to are older Wardens and most know me and that I cull shoot. I rarely use all my tags and am very careful to use the meat productively. Always a young couple with kids or older folks on a budget that appreciate a few bags of venison.