Where Are The Wardens?

[KCRIVERRAT]

I've been checked many times on the JF and they've used every method possible that been mentioned here. I've had an agent come out of hiding and check me more than once. My buddy and I got a kick out of it one time when after this particular young newbie checked us he apparently thought he could go back into hiding and we holler'd to him that he was too visable. He had gone back to the same place he'd come out of. We led him to believe we'd seen him before he checked us so he hung his head and said he was gonna find a new spot.

Had agents just floating along fishing (I guess) pull up to me on a gravel bar wearing the same crap I'm wearing. Never noticed the emblem on their T-shirt. Got checked in that fashion too. Checked my coolers for fish and everything else.

Been waved over a few times by an agent just being visable along the river.

Never had a bad experience.

[Ham]

I was checked by NPS guys today on the Buffalo. Second time I've been checked by NPS on the river. Just sayin.

[Feathers and Fins]

Al; I have to say visible enforcement is a deterrent, Hide in the bush and write after watching a law broke is not. If we had more visible enforcement it would without doubt be a deterrent to possible illegal activity just like law enforcement driving around town or for a better example if you drive through a town where you know its notorious speed trap you pay extra effort to your driving.

I honestly think that would be the same with Wardens, the more visible they are the more people are watching over their shoulders and being more careful. But I believe that also when it comes to enforcement on our lakes for boating safety as well. I added up the last year and have been on the Beaver Lake 183 times alone and have been checked 0 times and seen the sheriff or other law enforcement a total of maybe 3 times and that was mostly inside the buoy line.

I day in day out see things and then hear about it on the news that there was such and such boat accident. Just last week on the local news they were talking about 4 deaths in 4 weekends and how a “Boating Class” was their idea of saving lives. Last I checked you had to have one if you were born after I believe it was 1985. Yet I know in my heart that if there was a greater presence on the lakes there might be a few less deaths each year.

Same as I believe that a Game Warden truck in a parking lot would be a deterrent as people would see it and wonder where he was. Or at least honest people would and the criminals may well move on. We have to few Wardens for where they need to cover and that is part of the problem. Everyone has Ideas. I would even be in support of raising the License fee to help. But I will always be against the additional stamp ideas as I have seen where that leads first hand. Even implementing a simple fee box, like they use at Army Corps areas for after hours and charge a simple fee for use of the area would be a good one or a annual pass as well.

[Quillback]

I know the details on 2 of those drowning deaths on Beaver, both cases it was teenagers who drowned while swimming. Neither was wearing a PFD.