Bigfoot 870
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
I'm simply sharing this, so that anyone in this similar situation can be prepared....know your hunting regulations, as the DNR secretary might not.....
Fall 2013: My lower back was really bad last year, so bowhunting was out, and gun hunting was in. I had to use a cane to walk, so my doctor / motor vehicle dept had given me a six month permit for disabled parking. Before deer gun season, I went to the county DNR office to get a permit to shoot from my vehicle (turns out that I didn't need it, but had it "just in case"). The DNR secretary took the end date from my parking permit, copied it on a form letter, added her name and date, photocopied it, and I was on my way. Simple as that.
Today, thinking simple again: I had an appointment at the hospital, right next to the county DNR office, which is 30 minutes from my house. I had a yellow hospital mask on my face, due to asthma, which is aggravated by pollen and scents. I figured I'd drop into the DNR and get a shooting permit to match my current parking permit, which expires Nov 2018, for convenience sake. I tell the secretary what I'm there for, and she asks why I want the shooting permit now. I explained that it was a convenient time for me to pick it up. She disappears out back, me thinking she's getting a form letter, a couple minutes pass by, and she reappears with a conservation officer in tow. I was thinking that she might ask "why" again, and was prepped to reminder her that coyotes can be hunted year round with a shotgun and shot. The conservation officer, whom I had met a couple of times, casually, and actually had a 20 minute phone conversation with a couple of months ago, discussing guns, ammo and seasons, asked me why I wanted the shooting permit now. I explained the convenience issue again, to which he responded something about "off season". I said, "I'm sure you realize coyotes can be hunted year round with a shotgun". His tone wasn't terribly friendly to start with, and it got a bit more "official" after this. I reminded him of our phone conversation, and he said he didn't remember. He advised that he came out to "look out for his staff", and him questioning me is part of his job. I said, "and you're a smart guy and realize that I have every right to ask questions as well". Then he decided to inform me that hunting wasn't a "right", and I said, "I don't know why you are bringing up an issue that I haven't even mentioned". He then went on to tell me that our government is planning to add the shooting permit to the parking permit, for disabled people, in the future, to which I agreed, good idea. There was no indication that my mask was a concern (actually I see a more and more people wearing them around our small town, these days). I mentioned that it is likely rare for someone to seek the shooting permit on May 1st. I also took the opportunity to remind the conservation officer that he may want to look at this situation with a little more humanity, as my hunting and outdoor excursions are very limited now, as compared to a few years ago. Remembering that the last time I saw him, was at my favorite archery shop, I informed him that my bowhunting days may be over, in an attempt to get through the badge and BP vest, to find the good guy that I know hides inside.
Please, don't tell me I was wrong to go in with a yellow hospital mask. I must wear it, and I must also live my life.
If it weren't for reading CGN posts, I'm not sure I would have had the insight and confidence to inform the conservation officer that I knew the law....thanks guys
Fall 2013: My lower back was really bad last year, so bowhunting was out, and gun hunting was in. I had to use a cane to walk, so my doctor / motor vehicle dept had given me a six month permit for disabled parking. Before deer gun season, I went to the county DNR office to get a permit to shoot from my vehicle (turns out that I didn't need it, but had it "just in case"). The DNR secretary took the end date from my parking permit, copied it on a form letter, added her name and date, photocopied it, and I was on my way. Simple as that.
Today, thinking simple again: I had an appointment at the hospital, right next to the county DNR office, which is 30 minutes from my house. I had a yellow hospital mask on my face, due to asthma, which is aggravated by pollen and scents. I figured I'd drop into the DNR and get a shooting permit to match my current parking permit, which expires Nov 2018, for convenience sake. I tell the secretary what I'm there for, and she asks why I want the shooting permit now. I explained that it was a convenient time for me to pick it up. She disappears out back, me thinking she's getting a form letter, a couple minutes pass by, and she reappears with a conservation officer in tow. I was thinking that she might ask "why" again, and was prepped to reminder her that coyotes can be hunted year round with a shotgun and shot. The conservation officer, whom I had met a couple of times, casually, and actually had a 20 minute phone conversation with a couple of months ago, discussing guns, ammo and seasons, asked me why I wanted the shooting permit now. I explained the convenience issue again, to which he responded something about "off season". I said, "I'm sure you realize coyotes can be hunted year round with a shotgun". His tone wasn't terribly friendly to start with, and it got a bit more "official" after this. I reminded him of our phone conversation, and he said he didn't remember. He advised that he came out to "look out for his staff", and him questioning me is part of his job. I said, "and you're a smart guy and realize that I have every right to ask questions as well". Then he decided to inform me that hunting wasn't a "right", and I said, "I don't know why you are bringing up an issue that I haven't even mentioned". He then went on to tell me that our government is planning to add the shooting permit to the parking permit, for disabled people, in the future, to which I agreed, good idea. There was no indication that my mask was a concern (actually I see a more and more people wearing them around our small town, these days). I mentioned that it is likely rare for someone to seek the shooting permit on May 1st. I also took the opportunity to remind the conservation officer that he may want to look at this situation with a little more humanity, as my hunting and outdoor excursions are very limited now, as compared to a few years ago. Remembering that the last time I saw him, was at my favorite archery shop, I informed him that my bowhunting days may be over, in an attempt to get through the badge and BP vest, to find the good guy that I know hides inside.
Please, don't tell me I was wrong to go in with a yellow hospital mask. I must wear it, and I must also live my life.
If it weren't for reading CGN posts, I'm not sure I would have had the insight and confidence to inform the conservation officer that I knew the law....thanks guys
