Conservation Officer Perspective

lazyfarmer

lazyfarmer

CGN Regular
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Location
S.W.Ontario
During our controlled deer hunt we were checked out by the local Officer and in the course of checking our licenses, guns, etc. he had to call in to verify some info on one of our guys. In the course of the conversation it turns out he communicates directly with the office in Sioux St. Marie. One of the guys asked him how that works out if he needs back up, he said unless the back up is standing beside him it's gonna be too late to do any good.
I then asked how prevalent altercations with hunters is. He said very few serious conflicts with hunters occur because every hunter has gone through the firearms course as well as the hunting course which he felt weeded out a lot of the problem. The people who cause the most trouble are fishermen because anybody can walk in and buy a fishing license and every fisherman has a knife.
 
I have to echo what super Brad said.
I've only been checked half a dozen time in all the years I have spent hunting. Which is incredible considering the amount of hours I've spent afield. They were all decent people and most of them had a good chat as well. All the best to them and hope they don't ever require back up.
 
Intersting comment about fishermen. The only time I have ever had them check me out, there were three of them; they had been checking out ice fishing and came by to see what was making the big boom (my flintlock rifle). They each came from a different direction. Once they saw what I was doing we all had a good laugh....they had thought that someone was messing around with a cannon. They were very interested in the flinter, with all it's support gear, and we had a great chat. Very nice guys.
 
We got checked just as we were gearing up to walk in for the evening hunt, he was very good, checked what he needed to, pointed something out about the controlled hunt system that helped us out, he was sure to do his job, answer any questions and get us on our way and not ruin our hunt. This was in 85A, kudos to that CO if he sees this thread.
 
I've met good and bad CO's. Just like i've met good and bad hunters. And good and bad cops. They're just people. Most of the time, everybody goes away from the interaction feeling ok about things and that's good. That being said, i still do my best to avoid being in the bush on the opening weekends for pickerel and moose due to the increased activity from sportsmen and CO's/Cops. If i play my cards right, i can avoid them all. And the seclusion makes for the best trips. :yingyang:
 
Ya they will sneek up on ya so far I have been able to sense them comming . Still gives you a start though . But they shure don't like it when you sneek up on them they get quite flustered . They got there job to do and if you got nothing to hid its not surpose to bother ya right . They just hunting ( for them bad guys) just like us . Had some jacking going on around home a couple years ago had them camping out on the back 40 Surveying the goings-on traffic , lights and shots. Happy to have had them .
 
:confused:
Edenchef said:
Intersting comment about fishermen. The only time I have ever had them check me out, there were three of them; they had been checking out ice fishing and came by to see what was making the big boom (my flintlock rifle). They each came from a different direction. Once they saw what I was doing we all had a good laugh....they had thought that someone was messing around with a cannon. They were very interested in the flinter, with all it's support gear, and we had a great chat. Very nice guys.
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Well, I've done some ice fishing and I own a couple of flintlocks but I don't see how the 2 go together. :confused: :d
 
Spent over 31 years doing the job. Retired for over 4 years now. Miss the time I spent as a field officer. Don't miss the years in management as much! It's a great vocation.

Now I do lots of shooting and finally have time to chase coyotes. Something I wanted to do for years. But sometimes life gets in the way.
 
Only had one bad encounter with some COs that was in Northern Quebec. In the early 70's As soon as they found out most of us didn't speak French things went down hill. A couple of us could under stand French and It was clear from what they were saying was they were going to find something to charge us with no matter what. Only thing they could come up with was two of us had a rifle leaning against a truck so charged us with transporting a firearm uncased. My buddy laid into them after they wrote up the tickets. and they were leaving, In French mind you they sure got red in the face as none of it was very polite. PQ a-- H--s
 
buzzmagoo said:
Ya they will sneek up on ya so far I have been able to sense them comming . Still gives you a start though . But they shure don't like it when you sneek up on them they get quite flustered . They got there job to do and if you got nothing to hid its not surpose to bother ya right . They just hunting ( for them bad guys) just like us . Had some jacking going on around home a couple years ago had them camping out on the back 40 Surveying the goings-on traffic , lights and shots. Happy to have had them .
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There used to be practically settlements of market poachers in the woods in the Townships. City fellas who'd show up and either muscle out the residents and intimidate them into keeping quiet. They'd blast everything that moved and sell the meat in Montreal. It hasn't been a problem for twenty or thirty years. However, the No Hunting signs are all over the best hunting grounds and clubs patrol regularly so they know what is happening in their area.
 
Yup your right , was bad years ago got nothing against hunters from Montreal but they would come down around hear and shoot at anything that moved horses ,cattle, dogs,and sheep. Thats just what they did back in the old country . They just figured that its the country so bam bam !!! They would go allmost crazy shooting rabbits . Now good hunting land gets rented out $$$ . Now crossbows and battery chain saws it doesn't take long deer or cattle .
 
Checked a lot fishing in the West Coast Tidal, at several different docks and more on the water.
Fresh water like Fraser and Vedder they are always checking.
 
I have yet to encounter a bad CO. Also if anyone vandalizes your vehicle call the MNR resource abuse line. It goes to S. S. Marie and at a minimum it will be used for statistical purposes. When my car had its rear window smashed while I was turkey hunting, the local CO called me to get more info and ask about all the issue's I was having with trespassers ect... He did not pull punches, and said he covered 2 county's, but he would be on the look out for people doing the same thing in his patrol area.
 
lazyfarmer said:
During our controlled deer hunt we were checked out by the local Officer and in the course of checking our licenses, guns, etc. he had to call in to verify some info on one of our guys. In the course of the conversation it turns out he communicates directly with the office in Sioux St. Marie. One of the guys asked him how that works out if he needs back up, he said unless the back up is standing beside him it's gonna be too late to do any good.
I then asked how prevalent altercations with hunters is. He said very few serious conflicts with hunters occur because every hunter has gone through the firearms course as well as the hunting course which he felt weeded out a lot of the problem. The people who cause the most trouble are fishermen because anybody can walk in and buy a fishing license and every fisherman has a knife.
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And, in this man's personal opinion, are more likely to be inebriated. At least, I know I'VE run in to may more drunk fishermen, than I have hunters. And I don't run into many fishermen.



I've never had a bad run in with a CO. Two interesting interactions though:


1. Got stopped before heading into the bush, and half way through the conversation my uncle blurts out "Hey wait a minute! You're So-and-so!" (Some name I've never heard before) The co's eyes shifted all over the place before he finally said "Uh... yeah. That's me." My uncle sprints to his truck and rifles through the center console and comes running back with a country western gospel CD in his hand with the CO's name and cowboy hat wearing mug on the front. He got the CO's autograph, then we went on our way. Weird interlude to the hunt.

2. https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...y-Officer-Sneaky-Pants?highlight=Sneaky+pants

kodiakjack said:
Moose camp, last Thursday.

Pickup rolls slowly by and the driver (in hunting garb) leans out and asks if this trail leads up to the beaver pond?

We approach the truck and get into a 20 minute conversation about everything from the lack of bull tags this year, to the logging going on, to the the incessant rain, etc. He told us where his gang was camped, that they were from Parry Sound, that they were one of the few to get a bull tag this year, and so on. We wished him good luck, and he went on his merry way.

The next evening, I'm trundling back to camp from an uneventful afternoon hunt, and the mnr pulls me over. And who climbs out of the truck? Our new hunter friend from the night before. Except today, he's wearing a vest and sidearm... And a stern expression.

"So... You guys fill that bull tag of yours yet?" I asked as he approached.

Suddenly realizing who I was, his stern expression broke and he sheepishly replied "uh... No actually... They've uh, got me working this week..."

"So I see."

So we did the usual check the tags, guns, alchohal, and attractants. But as I handed him my hunting license, I realized I still had a stupid "Zombie hunting" validation tag attached to it that I'd done as a joke. He looked at it and frowned, scratched at it, "is this a joke"?

"Um... Yep"

He BURSTS out in laughter and passes it around to the two other COs with him. They gave it back, wished me luck and sent me on my way.

As I drove back, I couldn't help but think of the hundreds of hunters I've met in the woods before, and how many of them may have been undercover COs. I always hunt by the book, but I still think I'll be more cautious next time I meet a new friend in the woods.


Cheers,

KJ
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Only met the one jerk CO

A bunch of us 20 somethings(many, many years ago) were ice fishing when a CO rolls up and starts being a jerk. There was about 8 of us and only a dozen holes being used so no issues, but he demanded to no who belonged to which rod, I said who ever sees the bite grabs the rod. Well that wasn't good enough he said he needed to know so he knew who to write the tickets to. Well long story short there were no tickets issued but he sure left a bad taste in a bunch of kids
 
I've had plenty of negative encounters. Those friendly roadside chats are just an opportunity to sift through every word looking for something to bust you with.
Sorry, I don't need friends like that. You may think
you're doing nothing wrong, but unless you have a lawyer
In your back pocket don't bet on it. If you did
have a pocket lawyer he'd tell you to
Shut up.

Here's a bit of my experience last year. Started when one
of my MB750s went missing. This caused me to pull that portion of the line. Bear in mind that this
Is on well posted private land. My own in fact. Later some of my marten traps were sprung, with a stick
Deliberately in the jaws. Fast forward a bit and yoteboy and I were setting up a coyote bait. About then, a warden comes 4 wheeling with his truck across my alfalfa to see what I'm doing on my own farm. Got his cell phone in a center chest pocket of his vest with camera pointed forward. That seemed rude since he had invited himself onto my property. Posted remember. Then he started asking if I knew anything about trapping a couple miles south of there. 'Course those were mine, and the land as well. Told him about the trap thieving and the sprung traps as well. This is where it starts getting good. He said that they had the MB 750 because some trespasser had found it and turned it in. I asked when he was planning on bringing it back, and when charges of trespassing and interfering with lawfully placed traps would be laid. Turns out, never. Asked if it was the same guy who was snapping my marten boxes, but nope; those ones were the warden himself. Told me he snapped them to see how long it would take to check and reset them. Why would I reset them, I pulled them and reset where hopefully nobody would mess with them. He also told he had found my new cabin and had checked that out too. The guy was in my ****ing cabin, after illegally tampering with traps and wasting many hours and hundreds of dollars of fuel for me. Oh sure, he was friendly the whole time but with friends like that who needs enemies?
 
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