getting caught by FWP

[mondomuttruner]

This problem is not going to fix itself. If you want things to change your going to have to do something different than your doing now. I don't know what the answer is but I do know claming up to a warden is not helping. We all push the laws right to the edge at some point but it's still up to us to change their perception houndsmen.

[Kevin D]

Anybody that would lie to a warden would lie to their wife.......which is why it just seems natural to me!

[treehnds]

We have a fight in our legislature right now on this very subject. One state rep. who's a hunting guide and a friend plus former police officer got sick of Nh fish and game not following the U.S. constitution in that they have to have probable cause to stop and search your vehicle. He says they can not just stop you driving down a dirt road. He just got it passed in the house now it's on to the senate.
Tom

[outlaw13]

I was told that if you own a hunting license and you looked like you were hunting that was probable cause enough for them to do what they want in Ca.

[MidnightRun]

The game wardens in CA don't have to have probable cause to search a vehicle in this state. So saying they don't have probable cause could be completely correct. They don't need it. There is a statute which grants them resonable suspicion to search a person or vehicle pretty much any time they can articulate that the person or vehicle is involved in hunting or fishing. Arrests & citations are made and isssued based on probable cause to be presented to a judge and/or a jury; not vehicle or person searches.

Specifically, probable cause would be required to search a tent, motor home or trailer that is being used as a temporary residence. I don't agree with their authority (It is not a right as they might say) to search when they haven't actually reasonably suspected a person to have been involved in criminal activity; but that's the law here in Ca.

A lot of the wardens need to chill occasionally.

[Bdog]

Very interesting topic; however, just ask yourself, how many houndsmen or women do you actually like or get along with. How many doggers do you think are hard headed, arrogant, ego maniacs that are just tough to deal with that you base this on a few minute phone call or quick meet on the road or contact on the internet. Now add a strong personality or ego (a must for the job) with previous perceptions that all houndsmen are crooks based on previous contacts (see above), rude, defensive, arrogant and most are playing in the grey areas of the law (because those that follow the rules usually don’t have numerous contacts with wardens) . What do you think is going to happen? If you ever deserve a break you will never get one being an A$$%^$#@ but just might if you treat them like you want to be treated. (NOT REPUBLIC OF KALIFORNIA) Wardens, cops and law enforcement officers all come from the public so expect a few turds and if it stinks, try not to get it on you as it will stay with you awhile. I have been in this hound game long enough to know that I don’t like very many doggers but have met some of the finest people along the way, that I call true friends.

[FullCryHounds]

Very well said Bdog, I've never been harrassed by a game warden, but I have been targeted by other houndsmen. Had one guy try and turn me in for illegal outfitting. That didn't work out so well for him, the wardens weren't real happy with him when they came to my place and found out I was perfectly legal and he was just wasting thier time. He's still paying the price. He tried for 11 days last year to get a guy a cat, we beat him to every track and he drove over a half dozen others we camo'd. He still hasn't figured out how we are camoflaging tracks!

And Midnightrun, you are also exactly right.

[Ankle Express]

Here it would boil down to where's the tracking equipment? Collars on dogs whether in the truck or on the ground would be hunting. Collars, equipment & dogs in the truck, may be considered hunting. Collars and equipment at home with dogs out to exercise is not hunting. A lawyer can work with that. A jury will sympathise with no equipment involved and acquit. Stand your ground, know what your doing, know what to say and how to say it. If your not smart enough then let somebody else do it for you, like a lawyer. Be careful who you trust in anything. Old saying says: You can't loan your girlfriend or car to not even your best friend. Why? Cause they'll throw a rod in 'er for sure.

[suedog14]

[brushcreek]

I could write a book about this topic. My advice follows others'=YOU KNOW NOTHING SEE NOTHING and then Have a nice day! Unless you sleep with the wardens, or are the wardens good luck on anything else.

[Lost River]

[outlaw13]

Lost river,

Give me an example of a what if scenario and i will sure ask.

[Lost River]

What if I am running and excercising my dogs running up XYZ Road and they take off on a track. Most places it is legal to run coyotes and fox, but my dogs will also run bear. Am I going to get a ticket if I get to a bay up or tree and there is a bear there instead of a fox or coyote?

What I am recommending is call the warden(s) that work in your area. Talk to them and give them some what if scenarios and ask their honest opinion on how they would handle them. Some wardens would say he would warn you for some things, others would say he would write you a ticket and another may say he would confiscate all your tracking gear and take you to jail. Wardens views (and personalities for that matter) are as different as they come, they are no different than any other group of people. I think getting to know the fella (or lady) that you are going to see in the woods is a good idea. You don't have to have Christmas dinner together, but knowing each other on a first name basis and building a relationship of mutual respect might pay off in the long run... others it might not mean $hit to. I know a warden who would write his mom a ticket, he is a black and white type of fella. There are others that see situations in shades of gray....

[DMF]

I'm a cop. Larry's advise is sound. I use to agree with BHP... not so much anymore.

[iinvno1]

In response to some comments that mentioned not running your dogs where there may be a bear. HE LIVES IN MONTANA. Folks there are bears in town for goodness sake. I read where there was a bear tree'd in a downtown park. So as far as going somewhere where there isn't any umm........ Enlighten me cause I'm just not sure where that mite be. River bottoms bears, country roads bears, town bears, I guess we'll have to take em to the gym then. Come on fella's If none of you have never ever accidently tree'd a bear I would think "exercise your dogs more" IT CAN AND WILL HAPPEN IN MONTANA. My first few months of owning hounds I had no tracking stuff no shockers and I had no idea I ended up treein a couple so there ya go. Did I correct my dogs at the tree nope and never would correct a dog that is treein. In my opinion anyone who does is foolish these dogs are supposed to "tree" they run things that climb trees. So jmho.