Conservation Officer Perspective

My interactions with COs through the years have been positive, courteous, and civil. It's like dealing with anyone in a position of authority--you get what you give.

Interesting prior comment about CO's being more concerned about anglers than hunters. I agree that mandatory hunting/firearm courses go a long way toward weeding out the bozo element. Too bad anglers don't face the same degree of official scrutiny.
 
bearkilr said:
It could've been that he was actually hunting. I've personally gone hunting with local CO's and RCMP.
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Nope. Talked to him later in the week. Didn't even have a tag. He said they weren't really "undercover", just trying to get a feel for the various hunt gangs in the area. They said you can tell pretty quickly which groups you'll need to visit later.

They were pretty good guys really. Took us up on our offer of afternoon pie and coffee the one year. Haven't seen them since though. Maybe they don't like my bumbleberry pie. :-/
 
I've had 6 or 7 good interactions with wardens over the years and 1 not so good.

I was checked out by a warden early in the morning on opening day of the Mule deer season. We had a nice chat over coffee and he even mentioned where he'd seen a nice 180ish buck a couple miles down the valley. Later that day about 20 minutes before the end of legal light, I was stretched out on a hilltop with my crosshairs on a nice 190 typical, debating if I should drop him on opening day knowing that there are a few bigger deer in the area. I had just about made my mind up to pull the trigger when I heard a vehicle approaching from behind me. The buck that had been calmly grazing in the valley now started getting very nervous.

As a looked over my shoulder to get a look at who would be such an inconsiderate ###### as to drive right up on an obviously engaged hunter, he did the unthinkable and honked his friggin horn. Twice. Yep, it was the warden I'd had coffee with earlier in the day. The buck made a bee-line for the river and I walked over to the wardens' truck to ask him why he did that. He told me that as he was pulling up he could see the buck was acting nervous so he thought that honking his horn would get the buck to stop moving and give me a nice broadside shot.

As I walked away I politely told him that in the future his "help" would be unnecessary.
 
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coyoteking said:
I've had 6 or 7 good interactions with wardens over the years and 1 not so good.

I was checked out by a warden early in the morning on opening day of the Mule deer season. We had a nice chat over coffee and he even mentioned where he'd seen a nice 180ish buck a couple miles down the valley. Later that day about 20 minutes before legal light, I was stretched out on a hilltop with my crosshairs on a nice 190 typical, debating if I should drop him on opening day knowing that there are a few bigger deer in the area. I had just about made my mind up to pull the trigger when I heard a vehicle approaching from behind me. The buck that had been calmly grazing in the valley now started getting very nervous.

As a looked over my shoulder to get a look at who would be such an inconsiderate ###### as to drive right up on an obviously engaged hunter, he did the unthinkable and honked his friggin horn. Twice. Yep, it was the warden I'd had coffee with earlier in the day. The buck made a bee-line for the river and I walked over to the wardens' truck to ask him why he did that. He told me that as he was pulling up he could see the buck was acting nervous so he thought that honking his horn would get the buck to stop moving and give me a nice broadside shot.

As I walked away I politely told him that in the future his "help" would be unnecessary.
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Should that read "night"? Or, "before the end of legal... light"?
 
Never had a bad experience. In the end, theyre just people like us doing a job and I always show them respect and receive it in return. I like seeing them out in Kananaskis as poaching is very real there and I always support CO's keeping it legal. If it wasnt such a long road to become one, i would love to join. Availability for positions is never guaranteed either. You could be on a wait list for years.
 
I was stopped twice this year by the same CO in 2 days.
The first time in a check stop on the highway and then the next day way back in the hills where he was on his quad.
No problems at all, he was a nice young guy just doing his job. He really liked my Weatherby Vanguard 2 Blaze 308
 
Gunneegoogoo said:
You'd be surprised how many aren't....not that that makes them bad people, but it makes it harder for them to get it.
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Your right, I would be surprised. I graduated and worked in the field and have many friends in the field... to a man/woman, they are outdoors people, most hunt/fish/camp... some only fish/camp... but they understand being on "the other side." As I indicated earlier, there can be a power-tripping, bad attitude in any group... but it is really not that common... for the most part they are good people doing a tough job.

I work in a field that fosters what those on the outside refer to as a "cynical outlook," what we on the inside call "realism based on experience." We try not to use a wide brush, but it is hard when the negative is continually reinforced.
 
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We had a new one in our area last year and it seemed we were the only hunters in his area. We were checked more in that one year than I have been in 40 years. He lasted a year and was moved to nearby area where we hear he is quite a guy? Drunk with power. Worked with a lot of CO's and most are great guys but you will always have a but.
 
I've never had any problems with COs. Like with anybody else, you show respect and you receive respect. They are just doing their job!!!
 
Royzo said:
I've never had any problems with COs. Like with anybody else, you show respect and you receive respect. They are just doing their job!!!
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With most, but not all. That's where my criticism lies. Good people get good treatment. Treat me like a bad person for no reason, and i'll reciprocate.

GGG
 
Gunneegoogoo said:
Anyone have them check you while carrying your Modern Hunter?? That'll be a true test of their coolness and knowledge of law....
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Had one stop me while driving down a Crown road with my head out window looking for yote tracks. Had my XCRL on back seat of crewcab.

He checked my license and firearm. No problem, and I'm in Ontario. Nice chat and interaction.
 
I've been checked hunting many times, and a couple of times fishing ...and no problems whatsoever.

Of some humour though, one C.O. and his RCMP partner at Blind River wanted to check my O/U with some kind of a taped up rubber magazine checking device to make sure it didn't hold more than 3 shells ???? Never did hand-over my shotgun ... just explained it was an O/U, had two barrels, one shot apiece and no magazine.

Another C.O. at Matchedash Bay could have used a "refresher course" in Waterfowl I.D. ... maybe he'd never run into Gadwall & Wigeon before !
Gave me a big smile when asked "was I sure" then explained some of the finer points of species I.D. to him. Thanked me when he was about to leave, and even asked if I wanted a hand to load my canoe on the truck !!
 
All my provincial CO interactions have been good. There are so few of them they really rely on local resident hunters to keep on top of things. Some of the Fed CO's can be a bit of a nuisance , nothing serious, just arrogant.
 
I know they have their job to do but my only 3 experiences I would deem negative by their attempts at entrapment, and stupidity. Like, if you have 10 ga and 3.5 12 ga waterfowling, you are unlikely to be using lead, and I saw one use the "plug/no plug" on my elderly Father's O/U. And despite being equipped with a service pistol, they travel with OPP in Northern ONtario during the moose season. I would say the "para" role of COs and the overall biological management at the MNR needs a review as to how best manage the resources.
 
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