Really though I don't see it working out for them... whats the big deal about showing someone your license?

I look at it the same way I do tags and inspection for a car, or even insurance. If it isn't being checked, too many will try to sneak by without getting it. I get checked at least 2-3 times a year on Cedar Creek Lake, there are a couple of GW's that know me and pretty much wave us off once they see who it is but I am always in compliance and those two know it. Every time I talk to them, I tell them that I am glad they are out checking people and that they are not bothering me a bit, their presence keeps some of the idiots in check. If CC didn't have the GW's and Lake patrols, it would be an absolute mess.

It's the Man Man

good point !!

That's right, man.

Problem is when the LEO, whoever and whatever, gets a personal vendetta against some type or class of people. And incidents of this are being reported more every day.

True

Do you believe your authority should overstep the boundaries of the Constitution?

I had a group of lifelong friends hunting dove at the ranch on opening morning a couple of years ago, and the game warden appeared in the field at first light and started checking everyone for license and plug while the first wave of dove hit the field.

I understand it is their right but really? They can do their duty without interrupting the finest hour of hunting we will have all season! Birds were flying overhead like crazy the whole time. And it only lasts 1 1/2 - 2 hours. On top of it all the GW asked my friend "why is the "old guy" so upset?

it is up for vote in November, which will guarantee the citizens of Texas the right to hunt and fish in the Texas Constitution.

I just think it's .

I don't think you can't compare a normal police officer's authority with a wardens. A police officer can't see a car sitting in my driveway and search my residence because I have a car there. A game warden can search your land if he sees a deer stand.

I don't have an issue with a warden showing up at camp mid day and doing a license/game check. I do have an issue with him/her showing up at sun up opening day in my duck blind ruining the first thirty minutes of shooting light. I've also had one run my DL and come back and tell me there was a warrant for me in a Texas town I had never been to. It took him a few minutes to sort it out. I'm really glad he decided to double check.

There are way too many things about their supposed authority I have issues with. But the facts of the environment and type of violators they have to look for and deal with need certain liberties to act on and interdict so . . . I don't have the answers.

The biggest thing too many of them need to do is leave the attitude in their pocket until they are given an attitude by the person they are talking to. Because with me, being accusatory and trying to intimidate only makes me defensive and uncooperative.

So does that eliminate license check abilities here.........

Passthru I didn't figure you as a rebel. Man the things you learn. Hey, I feel the same way.

GWs have been given very broad authority to do things outside the norm of other types of law enforcement under the guise of "inspection authority". It has always bothered me that GWs can just come onto my place and start nosing around just because game animals are present (basically the law now). Not surprising there is starting to be some pushback on this in the current climate.

Only the U.S. Supreme Court can ultimately sort it all out. There will be a lot of conflicting lower court decisions and wrangling in the meantime.

Let's all rally around GW Fried.

I'm kind of a stickler about structure and doing what's right. Just sometimes my view of what is right may not line up with our big government.

I'm with Mathp...the can check all they want, just not when the dove are flying like crazy or in the first hour/last hour of deer hunting.

I'm not sure where I fall on this one. I get the whole idea of probable cause, but a hunter hunting without a license can look just like a hunter hunting with a license. I don't particularly mind showing mine because if no one was checking I might be the only sucker out there paying for one. I'm gonna have to think on this one a while.

I don't mind the checking. Anyone hunting or fishing should be subject to being checked. I just don't like the fact that they can roam all over Creation without regard to private property rights to find folks to check.

Agreed. It's a simple enough concept. One is Constitutional. The other is not. But who needs rights?

I've had the GW at my place one time but I was in town at the time so I missed him. He left a note written on the cover of a the almanac saying to call him and noted several pages he thought were applicable. I didn't see the note for over a month since it blended in with the artwork on the cover. Once I noticed it I did look at the pages and it was about processing deer and log books on a lease etc. None of it applies to me since I own the land, I know because I wrote and asked Fish and Game and got it clarified. Point is he went all through my barn, coolers, freezer etc when no one was there. I did not like that at all, never called him and have never seen or heard from him since but it is all locked up if I go to town now.

^^^^ Sort of reminds me of Ruby Ridge and that fiasco... Pretty soon criminals will learn to wear LEO uniforms and carry fake badges.... Then what should an honest man do when the fake LEO tries to handcuff him and tie up his family??

Nice to see some states still enforce our Constitutional Rights

But it doesn't guarantee the right to do it without a license.
GWs still have to check them. There are some ahole GW but I have found 99% of them to be very easy to get along with. Everyone likes to bring up the constitution but as pointed out hunting and fishing are not a right. If the GW shakes someone down that is obeying the law that would be another thing but few do without a reason. Like a smart aleck person that says they are violating their rights.