Sheriff Checkpoint

[Phil Lilley]

Back at you, bud...

[fishinSWMO]

Ok, I think they were looking for someone or something in particular. They would have no reason to send manpower there unless they had a tip about someome or something. That stretch of water holds nothing for party goers and rarely do you see anyone float it. Sounds fishy to me. I smell a set-up in that one. In Neosho they will set up random checkpoints as well claiming they are just checking for license and insurance when in fact most of the time they are right down the street from some big party going on. Sounds typical for Newton County.

Doing there part to help landowner and floater problems, most every weekend.

Had 4 guys there checking for glass styrofoam etc.

[PSUWill]

Did they check you as you were putting in or did they stop you as you were floating?

I never carry PFD's. Did they say anything specific about them?

They checked in as we were floating near what I assume was the end of Praters land. Didn't see much purple paint much past them. Went through the undercliff campground for a shuttle upriver. The shuttle driver informed us that there has been lots of floaters reporting being checked. They only asked the canoe to tie the trash bag to the canoe as opposed laying loose.

[Phil Lilley]

Just because it's on this site and especially if I write it, does NOT mean it's true!!

RSMO 252.070. It shall be the duty of all sheriffs, marshals, constables and their deputies and of all other peace officers and of all prosecuting attorneys and their assistants, within their respective counties, and the city of St. Louis, to aid diligently in enforcing the provisions of the law and all such rules and regulations.

[Buzz]

I'll agree with Ollie. I think they are looking for something or someone. Maybe Prater is contributing to Sheriff Copelands campaign and this is how he takes care of his biggest contributers.

Maybe or most likely, they are reading this forum and getting some ideas. Not long ago someone started a thread about getting LEO's off of the highways and down on the creeks. HMMMMM....

[Chief Grey Bear]

Before we get a buch of conspiracy theories going, I ran into these fellas earlier this year.

Yes they are on Praters land. And yes, when I rounded the corner, I thought they were looking for me.

I had a very pleasant converstation with them. They are there to try and keep peace between the floaters and land owners. They are sympathetic to both. They understand the right to float the stream and that some lee way must/should be given by the land owners. And on the same token the floaters have to respect the land owners rights. I see it as a good thing for both.

They are not out there all week. They are not harassing floaters. They check compliance with applicable laws and are friendly to the extreme.

Don't know how many times you have floated it latlely Ollie, I thought you hated Shoal and would never fish it, but there are quite a few floating that section now. At least they are being proactive about it and staying on top of it instead of having to be reactive and it turning into one of those other rivers you all were bitching about just a little while back.

[ollie]

No Chief, you know me, I haven't floated it, but I do drive by there a lot on my way home from work. I haven't seen them, but if they are on private land I wouldn't see them anyways I guess. I realize that portion gets some more traffic now than it did a few years back, but it still sounds like they were out there on a tip or something else. I think it was a conspircy and they were looking for you Chief! The more I think about it the more it bothers me. Why would the department send some guys out to a stream that may only see 20 boats max on any weekend right now? Doesn't seem too productive to me. And on private land?

[Old plug]

Phil I thought this last year are the year before the mo legislator gave game wardens the same authority as all other law in forcemeat officers of the state. I know it happened but do not remember when

[yaknar]

So if I'm floating down the river in my kayak and get stopped.... I can keep my trash bag tied to my kayak, although I keep it for other people's trash, I will have my license, but am I required to have a PFD with me if my kayak is only 11'6'' long? according to the MO Boating Laws?

[ozarkgunner]

Consevation can do anything but write traffic tickets.