Question about CO behaviour

daveg01

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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Location
Lanark, BANtario
The farmer who owns the land our camp is on has told us that he has been seeing a CO truck everyday or two hanging around in the general area we hunt in for the past month or so. Apparently he drives the road and has been hanging out for hours at a time on the side of the road on a regular basis. No big deal since we aren't doing anything that we are not supposed to be doing.

We also heard through the rumour mill that this CO has been stopping and asking farmers in the area if he can hunt on their land while on duty and in uniform while driving his CO truck.

Yesterday I spoke to one of the farmers who confirmed that in fact this CO asked him for permission to hunt on his land a few days ago. The CO showed up to ask permission in the middle of the day, driving his CO truck and in full uniform. When the farmer told the CO that he already has a group already hunting there, the CO asked for names and phone numbers of the hunters so he could call us and ask if it would be OK if he hunted with us. Instead, the farmer asked for the CO's card and told him he would pass it on to us and we would call him if we didn't mind him hunting there.

So, my question to the CGN hunters out there is do you think it is appropriate for a CO to be driving around as a LEO in uniform on the taxpayer dime asking for permission to hunt. I personally think that this is abusing his power as a peace officer and that if he wants to ask permission to hunt he needs to show up dressed as a civilian in his own vehicle.

The second thing that occurred to me is that since he was asking for names and phone numbers of hunters that he may possibly be doing some sort of investigation perhaps due to a tip or poachers, etc.

Again, we follow the rules and I'm sure he wouldn't be investigating us specifically, but maybe someone else in the area.

At first, I was very mad that this CO was asking for permission while working and was considering calling my MP or the minister of natural resources.

Thoughts?

Disclaimer: This is not intended to be a LEO bashing thread so if you feel the need to bash LEOs, please keep your comments to yourself.
 
I feel it is almost a conflict of interest issue , he shouldnt be doing that during work hours and with the MNR vehicle. As suggested previously he should be reported to the local MNR.
 
Leave him be. You can't tell me if you wern't driving by a good looking spot if your were working you wouldn't pull over and ask about it. Besides he could be new to the area and looking for a good spot.
Sure, but if the OP's statements are true, I completely disagree. Scouting the area for nearly a month? Hanging out for hours? Going farm to farm asking permission? Requesting names and phone numbers of hunters without any reasoning? He should be reported; if it's really just for a hunting spot.

If he's in uniform, on duty and with his MNR truck/equipment, I completely agree with another poster that he's in conflict of interest. And it SHOULD be viewed as an act of intimidation. As mentioned multiple times, he should be there in plain clothes. Being a CO is irrelevant and should have nothing to do with asking for permission unless you're doing so to incline people to allow you; which is what he's doing. Even uses that to his advantage in asking for names and numbers; which the farmer didn't have to disclose and he handled it in a good manner.

Again, this is simply based on what we're told. And he's again using his position of authority to his advantage, how many people here would report? Many wouldn't, because they know he may come back strict to them for small offenses if you get him in trouble. If he works in the area, he needs to clock out, THEN go scout, then ask permission. Pretty simple.
 
If you do report him do it discretely, and don't make a huge deal of it. His actions do seem slightly unethical but probably not illegal, and who knows, he could be up to something ligitimate that we can't piece together given the current information. For example, he may have had reports of poachers in the area and is trying to get a feel for who is in the area regularily.
 
If I go target shooting with a police officer, is that a problem? If I buy a gun from a police officer, is that a problem? I've done both - I hope my moral compass isn't out of line. As long as you're not doing anything illegal, I don't see what the problem is. CO's got to eat too. Now, if you were having the CO harass other hunters to get access to better hunting spots, that sort of behaviour would be inappropriate. I suppose if he were hunting while on duty, that would be inappropriate.
 
If I go target shooting with a police officer, is that a problem? If I buy a gun from a police officer, is that a problem? I've done both - I hope my moral compass isn't out of line. As long as you're not doing anything illegal, I don't see what the problem is. CO's got to eat too. Now, if you were having the CO harass other hunters to get access to better hunting spots, that sort of behavior would be inappropriate. I suppose if he were hunting while on duty, that would be inappropriate.

The question is if the CO is using his "uniform" to unfairly influence the owner to let him hunt vs some other hunter who also has the opportunity to ask and maybe get turned away.

asking for other hunters names, IMO is way out of line.. the fact that he asked for permission is borderline for me.. I would tend to being a conflict as he could be using his position to influence a farmer who would normally say no. (or yes to his "regular" group).
 
I have a friend locally that had a CO check him in his goose blind(on private property).The following week he went back out and found the CO sitting in HIS blind,in HIS chair,hunting over HIS decoys!I would have reported the CO instantly,he didn't want to cause a fuss.I've corked this CO several times,he hunts the same fields I do with gear that is not as good as mine.I pull birds away from his spread regularly.He also has a permit to hunt some of the local golf courses for nuisance geese,so he does OK.What I don't like is him using his position to access hunting areas that he would not be welcome in otherwise. Mur
 
The COs and even the some RCMP members in my area carry their gear with them during hunting season, no one cares. If they are out driving around anyway and shot some grouse, deer or some yotes it doesn't bother me in the slightest.
 
... or get his card, call him up, and invite him out. He probably doesn't have many hunter friends, just because of his job.

At least he seems (on the surface) to be showing an interest in hunting. I'm always more at ease dealing with people who do a job because they like it, rather than because it's just a job. If he's a CO because he likes hunting, we should certainly encourage him.

I could be wrong though, those involved would have to play it by ear.
 
It sounds to me like a bit of a conflict of interest to be showing up in uniform and asking permission, but it also sounds harmless to me. The way i read the OP he simply went and asked for permission, with no intention of intimidating. I've asked for permission to hunt a piece of land before and when told there was a guy hunting it already. I asked whether it would be ok to call and ask if he's be willing to share. nothing wrong with that as far as i can tell. better than just showing up on the land unannounced or in your blind like was posted just above me...
I would talk to the farmer again and ask about the demeanour of the CO. If he was intimidating, let the MNR know; if he was just a hunter like you or I looking for some land to enjoy, then don't sweat it
 
I think he is asking permission so he is not in violation of trespass.
He is using I wish to hunt only to garner access to check up on the other
hunters.
Once permission is granted, it will be tough to chase him away.
I would decline the permission to this CO.
And I would file a complaint with the CO's office.
My couple of pennies worth.
They are not your friends............
What you say and do could be used against you in the court of law.
 
I think he is asking permission so he is not in violation of trespass.
He is using I wish to hunt only to garner access to check up on the other
hunters.
Once permission is granted, it will be tough to chase him away.
I would decline the permission to this CO.
And I would file a complaint with the CO's office.
My couple of pennies worth.
They are not your friends............
What you say and do could be used against you in the court of law.

Do we really want to be antagonizing these guys? I think not. It was probably harmless.
 
http://i773.photobucket.com/albums/yy18/Major211/###y-thailand-beer-ad-01ssssssdfgh.jpg


... or get his card, call him up, and invite him out. He probably doesn't have many hunter friends, just because of his job.

. If he's a CO because he likes hunting, we should certainly encourage him.
 
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