Bennett Springs Traffic Officer

[Outside Bend]

Don't want them worrying about the browns and the smallies getting gigged when they can chase a native weed that is already everywhere.

Safer busting an out-of-towner for pot than a local entrenched in the good ol' boy network.

[FishinCricket]

Safer busting an out-of-towner for pot than a local entrenched in the good ol' boy network.

Isn't that what a change of venue is kinda for?

Anyway, my guess would more involve the environment at hand, think about it:

Catching stoners floating the river:

Approaching small groups of stoned (relaxed, Mellow) floaters

During a warm sunny day

People lounging in their boats and innertubes

Big boobies out everywhere

Plus not much can be done about the drunks that are RUINING the river, they're LEGAL! (beads, cans, etc... How many times have you ever seen a roach clip or a water bong hanging from a flood stage branch or at the bottom of a hole?)

Busting Giggers:

Approaching large groups of armed (possibly intoxicated) hillbillies

Middle of the night

Spitting snow

No boobies

Nah, I think I figured it out!

(still their dam jobs, OB)

[Outside Bend]

I'm not saying I agree with it Cricket, but I think it is part of the reality of the situation. Change of venue helps with the conviction, but the citation's gonna be in person. It's easier ticketing a stoned 20 year old from out of town than a guy you're gonna see at the next PTA meeting or who's kid plays high school basketball with yours. Agents generally live in the communities they're patrolling, and while I agree it's no excuse to turn a blind eye, I also recognize it'd be a tough gig. Some agents are simply more willing to negotiate that fine line than others.

From a more practical standpoint, it's probably just easier busting drug crimes than investigating poachers. Unless the agent actually witnesses the poacher taking game, or finds gigged gamefish in the boat, I'm not sure he has enough to get a solid conviction.

[fishinwrench]

They would only have to do a gigger bust once.... followed by a similar viral youtube vid, to add a little paranoia to the minds of those that are gigging illegally. It has worked on the partiers, Im sure they are way more careful about their business since those vids have gotten around.

[Justin Spencer]

Busting Giggers:

Approaching large groups of armed (possibly intoxicated) hillbillies

Middle of the night

Spitting snow

No boobies

I take offense at that, now with the time change we don't have to be out past 8:00.

[Smalliebigs]

I didn't think WP headed the busts.... I thought it was the county.

Does bro know that there is illegal gigging and unregistered boats on the river sometimes too ?

My bro is a State Trooper who helps WP and Laclede county. I just thought it was funny they videoed themselves busting people.My bro stays in the rear with the gear for the most part, I don't know if they bust many people with expired plates or boat stickes but, he should. I do know that he bust a ton of people comming up 44 with trunk loads of weed with expired license plates....how stupid.

It's ovious that WP needs more help to do what they need to do to keep the rivers safe from people like me......they use all kinds of different authorities in their endevors. I agree with Cricket why bust giggers in the cold when you can see healthy women in rafts bouncing around in the summer.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Safer busting an out-of-towner for pot than a local entrenched in the good ol' boy network.

That's exactly right.

Too bad that with the economy what it is they don't cash in on all those boats, generators and stadium lights out there for the picking.

[exiledguide]

That's exactly right.

Too bad that with the economy what it is they don't cash in on all those boats, generators and stadium lights out there for the picking.

I noticed youre Yogi quote, my favorite was when asked if he wanted his pizza cut into 4 or 8 pieces he said 4 he could not eat 8.

[DoveTail]

Stalking the vehicle for several hours seems funny, but an expired tag is an expired tag. Maybe they were watching other events also instead of just waiting for the owner. Regardless, it is good to see law enforcement out.

[lovetofish]

Has anyone EVER seen the officers at Bennett Springs actually in the stream? Actually checking licenses? Actually looking for fishing violations? Actually writing citations? I've been fishing there for 30 years and never have. But heaven forbid if you happen to have expired tags on your car. (Yes, I'm guilty as charged and not making excuses for it, I'm also sympathetic to public servants like that, they have a pretty thankless job).

So here's the deal:

After fishing below the hatchery spillway for a few hours on Sunday, I returned to my car and was approached by an officer, with another one in the truck, who said he had been watching my vehicle for "several hours" to ticket me for having expired tags. He appeared somewhat flustered at my flagrant disregard for the law and seemed to be taking it personally that I dare drive through his park with expired tags. He was polite and decided to give me a warning, which I was grateful for, and again, I was guilty, but we were both amazed by the tone of the whole encounter. As he pulled away, at least a half dozen fellow fishermen commented that they couldn't believe what they saw. They all echoed the same feelings I had, basically couldn't believe the officer was hassling me for expired tags with all the other unnoticed/unobserved/un looked for violations in the park.

Done ranting now, off to the DMV for new tags. Just wanted to throw it out there for your observations and perspective

Park Rangers are a waste of money. They have nothing else better to do then watch for hours on expired tags and cost 10,000 more a year then a local deputy.

There was a young ranger a few years back that did all sorts of fishing violations and worked with MDC to prevent wildlife vilations. I think he left because the ranger program is so bad. It seems the program has , high turnover and poor leadership that forces stupid rules and regulations on them. Must cost the state millions of dollars for a low productive program something that could go to other issues.

I would call a complain to the main office about that to make sure that you feel that it was a waste of your tax dollars. Also if the ranger was rude anyway you can report it to the state as well.