It says in your story that your friend was "up there for the weekend cutting firewood for the winter". Is this property not your friends principle address? Sounds like the CO has driven by the property before and when saw the gate open saw an opportunity to talk with your friend. You also stated that he asked "if they hunt deer?". He could have been asking to join a group. He may have asked for a key to be able to access the property without bothering your friend since he does not hunt deer. Doesn't sound like a bad situation to me. I would have been more concerned if someone in civilian clothing approached.
Interesting encounter with a conservation officer
- Thread starter Jailcee
- Start date
I see no problem with the CO’s Actions. Im sure it’s as simple as he saw people out there and wanted a face to face interaction. I’d do the same. I see it like if there was a vehicle for sale with no number on it, on the corner of someone’s property, and I had to drive up the lane, knock on the door and ask about it, I would feel intrusive, and not inquire. but if the owner was out cutting grass or whatever and I was driving by I would use that as an opening to talk/ask about it. I doubt highly he had thoughts that his uniform would be used coercively to the land owner. Although asking for a key is a bit forward. Take em to dinner first.
Lots of "if it was me" talk. I wore a uniform for over 17 years. I thought nothing of pulling into a farm yard to have a little visit if I saw someone in the yard. I guess it was a terrible thing to do. Here I thought I was just doing some PR, when I was actually shirking my duties, spying on the farmer, seeking gain for myself, and, heaven forbid, all on company time.
Two of my work mates and I mistakenly shot a deer on posted land. One of the owners stopped and reamed us out. I did a bit of checking and found out that it was a father and son(s) operation. I phoned the father, explained the matter and said I would be out later in the day to apologize. I did go, was welcomed in to the house, fed coffee and cake, given assurance that we could hunt on the land anytime.
I stopped in again one day just before Christmas to say hello and wish the old guy Merry Christmas. He tells me to hang on a minute, comes back with a smoked ham and chicken. Jeez, now I'm taking bribes!
That is my story and I'm sticking to it.
Two of my work mates and I mistakenly shot a deer on posted land. One of the owners stopped and reamed us out. I did a bit of checking and found out that it was a father and son(s) operation. I phoned the father, explained the matter and said I would be out later in the day to apologize. I did go, was welcomed in to the house, fed coffee and cake, given assurance that we could hunt on the land anytime.
I stopped in again one day just before Christmas to say hello and wish the old guy Merry Christmas. He tells me to hang on a minute, comes back with a smoked ham and chicken. Jeez, now I'm taking bribes!
That is my story and I'm sticking to it.
I feel like this is just the difference between peoples point of view and why it is so difficult to gain access to land. some people are appalled by his actions and would receive a stiff no, others don't give it a second thought and a yes. it really depends on who owns the land. i myself would be more willing to give permission to a person who knows their way around firearms, the laws and is respectful of the land. not so easy to tell that from any joe blow that shows up.
Sure, but they are not positions of authority and intimidation. Before you guys jump on me. Yes, I'll admit it... even Completely Legal I am intimidated by anyone who has power over me and my property, be it a CO, LEO, MTO (I drive truck) I guess it would all be in his attitude and approach. I understand that maybe that was his only chance to talk to the land owner, Maybe just an introduction and ask for a phone number to call and talk more when he is off duty. Asking for a key from a complete stranger is nuts... Another thought, If you don't want visitors, shut the gate when you go in.
I would have told him to come back off duty and in normal clothes.
All game wardens do this so they can pressure land owners into giving permission.
I had a CO come into one of my spots and tell the land owner he should only let him hunt the spot as he can keep everyone else out.
Little did he know it's my uncle's farm and my uncle said NO to him. He kept pushing and saying he would be back.
He sat at the road during the November hunt to find out who was hunting it, find out what deer we were getting out of there.
Then came back before the December hunt and asked again, answer still NO.
He asked in uniform and in the CO truck each time. Wasting ours and his time.
All game wardens do this so they can pressure land owners into giving permission.
I had a CO come into one of my spots and tell the land owner he should only let him hunt the spot as he can keep everyone else out.
Little did he know it's my uncle's farm and my uncle said NO to him. He kept pushing and saying he would be back.
He sat at the road during the November hunt to find out who was hunting it, find out what deer we were getting out of there.
Then came back before the December hunt and asked again, answer still NO.
He asked in uniform and in the CO truck each time. Wasting ours and his time.
...first of all with any official there's a power imbalance...they can require things of you that you cannot require of them
...arising out of that is the issue of trust, which is destroyed by secrecy...you can be as honest as you like with them, but they, in line with their position and training, will never reveal everything that they know to you
...it doesn't matter if they have an official uniform on or not
...it's a dicey imbalance no matter if they are there asking for a personal favour or not
...if they were more open with me then i'd be more open with them but that flies in the face of how Canadian official investigations work
...impossible to know what this officer was really doing/looking for...because by being who they are i can't TRUST them
...arising out of that is the issue of trust, which is destroyed by secrecy...you can be as honest as you like with them, but they, in line with their position and training, will never reveal everything that they know to you
...it doesn't matter if they have an official uniform on or not
...it's a dicey imbalance no matter if they are there asking for a personal favour or not
...if they were more open with me then i'd be more open with them but that flies in the face of how Canadian official investigations work
...impossible to know what this officer was really doing/looking for...because by being who they are i can't TRUST them
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