waterfowler_gal Posted January 24, 2006 Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 For those of you who know me know I am a college student finishing up my Bachelor's in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology with in hopes of becoming a Conservation Officer or a Biologist. Well... this fall season while hunting waterfowl in SoDak we were water hunting and a beautiful drake/bull White Scoter came in and my friend shot it. So off to the taxidermist it went--obviously! It was beautiful and all by itself. Well sometimes the CO's go to the taxidermist to inspect what has been brought in and make sure it is legal. Well this particular CO confisgated the Scoter and said it was illegal and called my friend up for a summons to meet with them. Well we couldn't believe it... We are very-very ethical hunters and know our laws to a "T"... So we contacted the CO with the laws and regulations and he apologized and returned the Scoter... I have never been so mad and embarrassed for the CO... Unbelievable... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayman Posted January 24, 2006 Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 Re: Unbelievable It sounds like the CO overreacted. However, it doesn't surprise me that it happens when a species is taken that isn't common to the area being hunted. I'd bet the SoDak regulations don't say anything at all about Scoters, Harlequins, or other coastal/oceanic waterfowl, but do adress Mallards, Pintails, coots, etc. I would expect the first reaction of any gamewarden in this situation is to use the utmost scrutiny in determining the legality of various "exotic" species taken in his jurisdiction. I'm reminded of one time crossing the border from Manitoba into North Dakota. We had several pintails in our bag. The USFWS warden asked us very specifically that we shot those sprigs in Manitoba, because had we shot them in Sask, we would have been over our limit. He then told us that part of his ongoing training (or Continuing Education) is that he has to be up-to date on not only the game laws of his own jurisdiction, but also the varied game laws of other jurisdictions as well. While he probably had the regulation books of all the Canadian provinces in his desk, in order for him to do his job efficiently and effectively, he had to commit the bulk of these various regs to memory so he could make decisions on the spot. It's good for you that you were versed in the laws, and were able to show the warden that he was wrong in his determination, and that everything ended cleanly for you and your friend. Even Game Wardens can make mistakes. No reason to be "mad" or "embarrassed". He learned something new because of you, and that's a good thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RTF Posted January 24, 2006 Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 Re: Unbelievable [ QUOTE ] No reason to be "mad" or "embarrassed". He learned something new because of you, and that's a good thing. [/ QUOTE ] I beg to differ. Thats a bunch of bull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayman Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Re: Unbelievable It wouldn't be "Bull" if the scoter had actually been a protected species, or was taken out of season. Contrary to many folks' misperceptions, Game Wardens are human and are capable of making mistakes. That's not to say that he wasn't wrong, but given the situation I'd be willing to cut the guy some slack. How do you justify being "mad or embarassed" for somebody if you don't even know his side of the story? On one hand, he might be one of "those" wardens who has a nasty reputation. On the other hand, maybe he's a stand-up kind of guy who just made the wrong call. Lord knows none of us have ever made a mistake... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waterfowler_gal Posted January 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Re: Unbelievable I can justify being mad and embarassed (I am human and I have emotions) as a simple phone call to another CO if he wasn't positive the status of a Scoter being taken in SoDak would of cleared everything up vs. him confisgating it and calling us and creating an unneeded situation. I think it is great he is doing his job and yes everyone makes mistakes but if you are going to uphold a job/title as a CO and as a hunter it is your responsibility to know your species and what is applicable to harvest and what is protected....Technically it is his job to enforce the rules and regulations but if he doesn't know them or how to handle situations when he doesn't know the proper regs then how can he properly enforce them... Anyways the situation is dissolved and that is all that matters... that Scoter is back at the taxidermist and is going to make a beautiful LEGAL mount! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayman Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Re: Unbelievable I'll admit, it was a cruddy situation, and it certainly could have been handled differently. I'm glad the CO actually apologized for his error and handling of it. Also - kudos to your friend for getting a rare opportunity to take a bird that's not nomally seen in the central flyway. That's one of those once in a lifetime occurances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double_drop Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 Re: Unbelievable I argued with a dnr officer one day at the ramp about a green wing teal. He said that i was wrong and didn't know what i was talking about. After a ten min. arguement he finally got his book out and i proved him wrong. then he got mad and checked everything in my boat and everything else but couldn't find anything. I just smiled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitteken Posted January 27, 2006 Report Share Posted January 27, 2006 Re: Unbelievable I'm glad everything turned out OK. I'm all for COs doing their jobs, but everyone I've ever came across acted like I was a criminal until he checked me out. One time one told me "You're lucky" about 5 times. "You're lucky your guns cased" "You're lucky you've got your license" "You're lucky you didn't shoot over your limit" blah blah blah I know they run into a lot of deadbeats but give someone the benefit of the doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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