Got stopped by Officer Sneaky Pants

kodiakjack

kodiakjack

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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
 
You might want the minimize the amount you talk to uniformed wardens as well. That friendly talkative warden is straining and filtering every word you say looking for something to charge you with. Since obviously you're not going to confess to something you know is wrong, that means he's looking for a hint of a violation you don't even know about. Keep in mind that you will be charged under the Wildlife act, a piece of paper that few have even seen never mind studied.
 
He should have been 'sheepish' about it. Most people don't enjoy being hoodwinked in friendly conversation.
 
I highly doubt he was undercover, sounds like he was hunting...

Is he supposed to yell loudly "I am an officer!" at your first introduction, even when he is off duty?
 
An old boss and buddy of mine had a BIL that worked for the MNR as an undercover CO. He would regularly hang out in northern bars, pose as a hunter, etc. in order to find people breaking the law.
 
My CO friend sneaked in clos to a camp populated by Vancouverites and while there was a bit of a communication problem, there was little doubt they were talking about their "big deer" loosely translated to an illegal elk.
He could not see any evidence in the darkness but did get licence numbers. The next day there was a hastily constructed check five minutes before their arrival. There were a number of denials but the elk was found in the very front of their pickups covered with bucks, does and fawns. This was over 45 years ago . . . long before the charter! He was a great investigator and an excellent hunter.
 
The "elk" story is funny. As a regular member of our federal force, I would often come across American bird hunters out in the middle of nowhere. As I drove up, I could read the, "Oh $h!t!!" look on their faces. First words out of my mouth were to assure them I am not looking to bust them on anything, as some people here are positive that all police wake up each day hoping to do. Once we got that out of the way, we could usually carry on a good conversation about whatever seemed suitable for the moment. I've stopped all kinds of hunters, farmers, and sundry, looking only to be sure that the firearms are not loaded in the vehicle.
 
In past years I have hunted extensively with a couple of game wardens, including week or ten day trips.
Had the odd funny experience. Two of us plus a warden went on a horse trip in the mountains, following a guides trail. The guide encountered us, accused us of guiding in his territory and finally said he was going into town to report us to the game warden!
The game warden with us told him he could save him the trouble of going to town, because he was a game warden. He had to show the guide his badge, then the guide went away, muttering to himself.
 
blasted_saber said:
Most COs do hunt you know. Its entirely possible, if not likely, that he was actually hunting the first day.
Click to expand...

Nope. Talked to him later while packing up camp. Admitted he didn't really have a tag. That was just to make sure we didn't make any dumbass comments like "Well if we knock down a bull, we know who to call.." He said they do this every year, but they'd typically stay in character all week. Maybe they were understaffed this week or something. Either way, nice guy. Hope his efforts made a difference.
 
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