BOHNTR Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ [ QUOTE ] I don't think this is a case of "bad cop", maybe just ignorance. He was in a situation he wasn't familiar with, and didn't understand, and handled it in the safest way he could think of. We as bowhunters think it is ridiculous, but to someone who doesn't know anything about it, a guy in a tree with a weapon would be a scary thing. [/ QUOTE ] Ding, Ding, Ding.......we have a winner! I've been in the law enforcement business for over 20 years now. When I worked as a warden, every other officer in the department knew exactly what a bow & arrow could or could not do. However, when I transferred to a large agency that had nothing to do with wildlife enforcement, I was amazed at how many officers/deputies were unaware at how the bow & arrow worked, etc. They simply knew it as a weapon, that if shot at you could kill you. I would guess that's common everywhere in the country. I personally don't have a problem with how this incident was handled. Based on the information the officer received, it was a reasonable response. Remember folks, not everyone in the community knows about hunting issues and our capabilities. All street cops know for sure is there are people out there who will kill them if given the opportunity. JMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I don't think this is a case of "bad cop", maybe just ignorance. He was in a situation he wasn't familiar with, and didn't understand, and handled it in the safest way he could think of. We as bowhunters think it is ridiculous, but to someone who doesn't know anything about it, a guy in a tree with a weapon would be a scary thing. [/ QUOTE ] Ding, Ding, Ding.......we have a winner! I've been in the law enforcement business for over 20 years now. When I worked as a warden, every other officer in the department knew exactly what a bow & arrow could or could not do. However, when I transferred to a large agency that had nothing to do with wildlife enforcement, I was amazed at how many officers/deputies were unaware at how the bow & arrow worked, etc. They simply knew it as a weapon, that if shot at you could kill you. I would guess that's common everywhere in the country. I personally don't have a problem with how this incident was handled. Based on the information the officer received, it was a reasonable response. Remember folks, not everyone in the community knows about hunting issues and our capabilities. All street cops know for sure is there are people out there who will kill them if given the opportunity. JMO [/ QUOTE ] Ding Ding Ding...another winner!!! I guess you guys now can see how us involved in law enforcement may handle things...whether or not to the likings of the general public. Being around archery equipment and knowing how it performs...I can second guess this officer and also say he should have allowed him to lower the bow with a rope. Had I viewed this from a perspective of never handling a bow, I may have had the same response. It is tough to say. Maybe this officer being unfamiliar with bows, maybe thought it was a crossbow....anyone ever give that a thought?? And before someone says "there are not legal in that state" (I am not familiar with the law there), an officer is responding to a call of a man with a weapon in a tree...whether or not is is a compound or a rifle or a crossbow. This guy is hunting a suburban area, on a 1 acre lot, where hunters are not commonly seen. It sounds a bit like a possible sniper situation...no one has thought about the demographics, the past history, the proximity to parks, or schools..this report leaves a lot to the imagination. [ QUOTE ] that is just like a cop, to think he knows the whole situation. they need an butt-kicking sometimes. [/ QUOTE ] Don't have a lot of life experience yet, huh Chaz?? That has to be the most ignorant statement to date in these forums in the year 2007. The reason this officer reacted this way is because he didn't know the whole situation...we never do when we are going somewhere. Every complaint we respond to relies on 3rd party information that the accuracy can not be counted on. Everyone makes mistakes..officers included..hindsight and monday morning quarterbacking is fun isn't it. This officer probably is now better informed as to how to handle an incident like this, and the bow owner has either a new bow, or has at least had his bow repaired by the manufacturer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ I seem to be missing something here. The officer responded to a call about someone with a gun. He then tells that person to drop his weapon (assumed to be a loaded firearm), from 30 feet up in a tree? Man, that's just asking for an accidental discharge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ [ QUOTE ] I seem to be missing something here. The officer responded to a call about someone with a gun. He then tells that person to drop his weapon (assumed to be a loaded firearm), from 30 feet up in a tree? Man, that's just asking for an accidental discharge! [/ QUOTE ] What was his alternative though, assuming he thought it was a gun?? Asking Roddy to unload it first?? Second thought, maybe the officer recognizing it as some type of archery equipment and realizing the minimal chances for an accidental discharge upon impact on the ground...no harm in it being dropped for as far as going off is concerned...at least not like that of a gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nut Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ [ QUOTE ] Maybe this officer being unfamiliar with bows, maybe thought it was a crossbow....anyone ever give that a thought?? [/ QUOTE ] ROTFLMBO......now that is funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zukebaby Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ The first thing I thought of when the LEO said the hunter made the remark was that the LEO most likely startled the hunter and maybe thought the LEO might have been a deer approaching. You know most police do not wear blaze orange! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted March 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ [ QUOTE ] The first thing I thought of when the LEO said the hunter made the remark was that the LEO most likely startled the hunter and maybe thought the LEO might have been a deer approaching. You know most police do not wear blaze orange! [/ QUOTE ] That crossed my mind too. And maybe the hunter did say something that was taken as a threat, instead of a general hunting statement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Maybe this officer being unfamiliar with bows, maybe thought it was a crossbow....anyone ever give that a thought?? [/ QUOTE ] Actually YES I did...ya know if you drop that crossbow, which is usually drawn back in shooting oposition..it could go off when you drop it. Still...the only way my bow is coming down is on my rope..hey Im dropping it..here it comes!!! And if ya dont like it Im tied in..so now ya gota haul my butt down too!! ROTFLMBO......now that is funny [/ QUOTE ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ These are the kinds of things that make me cringe everytime I hear about urban bowhunting. I know that these kinds of hunts are useful tools in controlling urban and suburban deer populations. I also understand that for a lot of people this kind of hunting may be the only practical means of them enjoying bowhunting. I also understand that there are some pretty impressive trophy deer to be taken in that kind of situation. But I also understand just how out-of-place a bowhunter can be in that environment and the potential for some serious P.R. problems when you put bowhunting right in the middle of a dense population of people who might be stirred to activism against hunting and bowhunting in particular. I have often wondered just how much damage is done to the bowhunting image when a hunter is spotted walking across dozens of yards in pursuit of a wounded deer. I have also pictured the image of a deer with an arrow sticking out of it dashing across someone's yard. Do they automatically assume that this soon to be dead deer is running off to die some slow and lingering death? How many conversations are dominated by the shocked neighborhood onlookers re-elling the story about the wounded deer that crossed their yard with an arrow sticking out of it. In this case, it involved a confrontation between a hunter and a police officer who because of the location was experiencing a situation he had never encountered before and had very little understanding of. I think all of these things are reasons why I would never consider hunting in an urban environment. Whether I am right or wrong, it is a situation that I would find very uncomfortable. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSGB Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ [ QUOTE ] Roddy had a hunting license, written permission from the property owner, deer tags and a map of the property but no gun, according to the report. [/ QUOTE ] I know this is off topic, but why does he need a map of 1 acre? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Roddy had a hunting license, written permission from the property owner, deer tags and a map of the property but no gun, according to the report. [/ QUOTE ] I know this is off topic, but why does he need a map of 1 acre? [/ QUOTE ] I saw that too! Especially for a guy that just returned from a hunting trip in Antarctica!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted March 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Roddy had a hunting license, written permission from the property owner, deer tags and a map of the property but no gun, according to the report. [/ QUOTE ] I know this is off topic, but why does he need a map of 1 acre? [/ QUOTE ] Maybe so he knew the exact boundaries of the property. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rut-Nut Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ............ [ QUOTE ] Id NEVER drop my bow..officer or not..I'll lower it down.. shoot me if ya dont like it! [/ QUOTE ] i'M WITH oNEIDAMAN! No way I am dropping my bow! I would tell him i am slowly going to remove my arrow and then slowly lower it to the ground. Then place the arrow back in the quiver and lower the bow. What is he going to do, shoot me because I refused to drop my bow from 30 feet? I'm not going to give the cop any chance of saying I threw it at him or some such nonsense like that! I have 2 state policemen in my family and generally side with them. But in this case this cop was out of line! As you say, probably a City Boy with no knowlege of hunting and no common sense! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ............ [ QUOTE ] What is he going to do, shoot me because I refused to drop my bow from 30 feet? [/ QUOTE ] Add more charges.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rut-Nut Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ............ [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] What is he going to do, shoot me because I refused to drop my bow from 30 feet? [/ QUOTE ] Add more charges.... [/ QUOTE ] SO BE IT! My best friend just happens to be a LAWYER and a BOWHUNTER! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted March 27, 2007 Report Share Posted March 27, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ............ [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] What is he going to do, shoot me because I refused to drop my bow from 30 feet? [/ QUOTE ] Add more charges.... [/ QUOTE ] SO BE IT! My best friend just happens to be a LAWYER and a BOWHUNTER! [/ QUOTE ] Never heard that one before.. Maybe you are actually his best friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnatecsteve Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ............ Lots of good responses here, and I'm glad there wasn't too much cop bashing either. I have alot of friends that are in law enforcement, and they deserve ALOT of respect. Sure..there are some bad cops, but my hat is off to the law enforcement (and firefighters, armed forces). Just think where we would be without them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ............ Im not bashing cops here..in fact I know most of them who would respond...they would never be that dumb as that one was.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rut-Nut Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ............ [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] What is he going to do, shoot me because I refused to drop my bow from 30 feet? [/ QUOTE ] Add more charges.... [/ QUOTE ] SO BE IT! My best friend just happens to be a LAWYER and a BOWHUNTER! [/ QUOTE ] Never heard that one before.. Maybe you are actually his best friend! [/ QUOTE ] LOL Swamphunter! Believe it or not, he is even HONEST! (I know, kind of an oxymoron) We were in college together and he was best man at my wedding. Over the years he has offered many times to represent me(free of charge) if I ever needed it. Hopefully, I will never need it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rut-Nut Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ............ [ QUOTE ] Lots of good responses here, and I'm glad there wasn't too much cop bashing either. I have alot of friends that are in law enforcement, and they deserve ALOT of respect. Sure..there are some bad cops, but my hat is off to the law enforcement (and firefighters, armed forces). Just think where we would be without them! [/ QUOTE ] I agree Steve! I have the utmost respect for most in law enforcement. It is one of those thankless jobs. Like anything, there are bad apples. The vast majority are decent human beings, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ............ [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Lots of good responses here, and I'm glad there wasn't too much cop bashing either. I have alot of friends that are in law enforcement, and they deserve ALOT of respect. Sure..there are some bad cops, but my hat is off to the law enforcement (and firefighters, armed forces). Just think where we would be without them! [/ QUOTE ] I agree Steve! I have the utmost respect for most in law enforcement. It is one of those thankless jobs. Like anything, there are bad apples. The vast majority are decent human beings, though! [/ QUOTE ] I agree also..sure is nice to see a law enforcement post stay pretty decent. Most LEO's have no problems with differences in opinions...it is just when people make negative stereotypical comments grouping all cops into a lump sum, and bashing them. Somehow society has changed to feel that this is acceptable for this profession. If you don't believe me go to youtube and search any law enforcement video like a pursuit or the TASER use, or anything at all and read the comments below it. I notice that very few are LEO friendly. I notice that most of the RT guys on here (regulars), are at least a bit understanding when it comes to realizing that LEO's peruse the forums here...and keep it pretty civil. Its usually... usually, a new forum member that is the only ones that get downright derogatory. I guess they are not aware of the great moderation in these forums!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mallard_drake85 Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ im gonna respond from the POV of a police officer as stated before, when we recieve a call like that we have to respond expecting the worst. we are trained that way. but you have to ask....why was the hunter not immediately complient? was there an attitude that was not stated in the article? yes, we all know that there are some city folk out there that can't destinguish a bow from a hole in the ground. it prolly was an ignorant civilian who phoned in this incident. however, we are trained (and SOP's states) we are to respond in that manner until the situation is defused! as stated previous, i would have handled the situation exactly how that officer did... until i found for sure that the hunter was not on a war path to get someone. don't hold what happened here against officers, he was only doing his job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted March 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ Welcome to the Realtree forums mallard_drake85 . It's especially great to have another Police officer on board Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted March 28, 2007 Report Share Posted March 28, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ [ QUOTE ] Welcome to the Realtree forums mallard_drake85 . It's especially great to have another Police officer on board [/ QUOTE ] Yes sir!! I could use some backup sometimes....j/k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowJoe Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 Re: Police encounter with hunter leads to ........ I would have definately asked the officer if I could lower the bow on a rope and accepted his response. If he demanded I drop the bow, then I would have done so but found the hardest surface I could find in which to drop it and had that new Drenalin along with a new set of arrows and broadheads. Basically I would have had fun at the local archery shop. I'm not blaming the officer for his response. I am just simply saying that if he is just doing what he has to do then so am I. I won't risk damage to my bow without going for an all out replacement. After all, like Swampy said, he wasn't doing anything illegal so what does he have to be afraid of? I think that officer does need to complete a hunter's safety course as do all officers with hunting areas in their zones. Hey, it can't hurt. And Chaz, your ability to speak does not make one a good speaker no more than a spoon made Rosie O'donnell fat. I don't like Cop Bashing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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