I wish my local CO's took the time to do this around me. Violators all over the place and it would be nice to hold them accountable....or even have the possibility of being held accountable. I am entering my 20th hunting season in the area and have been checked 1 time. One.

 

Well I would assume it would differ from state to state but it is legal in a lot of areas even on private land

 

I have personal experience with this a number of years ago I was hunting a small 180 acre pine tree farm. I was sitting in my stand 30 feet up a mature pine and hunting over corn (which is legal) the Wildlife officer just came over the locked fence and was waiting for me when I came out of the woods for lunch. He wanted to check my hunting license and tags, he then asked to see my tree stand and feeder for some unknown reason. I met him at the local truck stop a few days later while heading to my hunting site, after getting coffee I saw him sitting down so I went over and we got to talking and I asked him why he wanted to check me and my hunt site out. He told me that there was a complaint of someone hunting Turkey over bait and he got my hunt spot with another farm about 1 mile down the road mixed up. He told me he arrested hunter there a few days later for taking Turkey over corn which is illegal here, you have to be hunting at east 100 meters from a feed or bait site to shoot a turkey.

 

30+ years never seen GAME WARDEN YET ! they have more athority that state police in pa. well, they use too?

 

Same in Ma. they can go right in your house no warrant.

 

Lol, how old are you, 15? Yes, it's legal. Yes, it's their job. Quit crying.

 

X2 a lot of people would kill to have that problem. When you start dealing with trespassing and poaching on your land you'll be thankful for his presence.

 

In 30 years I've never been checked while hunting. I understand though, 1 CO is responsible for a LOT of area and with answering calls they really don't have time for these random checks in the woods. Been checked out on the water fishing many times. It's a lot easier to find people fishing.

 

From what I have been told is that if they walk in the woods on you while you are hunting and they are dressed in full uniform if you can prove that via picture it is considered hunter harrasment and they can be terminated from their posistion

 

Who told you that?

 

I have only been checked once. I would not mind if I got checked more often, if that means they are out there trying to catch poachers.

 

that's a good thing!

 

They can drive on your roads too, unless you've got gates, they gotta walk if the gates are locked.

 

without game wardens there would be no game ... Just be thankful..

 

I do believe if your on private property they are supposed to still have probable cause to be there. They can't just come walking in for no reason. Either someone called them or they saw something up believe something was up.

 

This is how it should be. However it isnt. Atleast here. They can walk right onto your property for no reason other than they saw a orange hat in a treestand or saw you in camo enter the woods. They do not need probable cause.

sent from my LG Escape.

 

I know not every state has the same laws. I fully expect that game wardens can do as they please to certain extent on public property.
In Va. I'm not so sure game wardens can just stroll on to private property that is posted without probable cause or reason to think laws are being broken. That would be similar to the police searching your back yard without cause to do so. However, I would love for a game warden to walk our property lines on a regular basis during gun season!

 

The only thing they need is reasonable suspicion to think hunting activity is taking place on the property, legal or illegal.

 

There has probably been some reported activity in your area for them to take the time to walk in and check you and your partner both at the same time. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity.

 

I know we need enforcement of our laws but that fact that game wardens can come onto private property without a warrant is BS!

 

It's only BS if you have something to hide. Come out when ever you want. I only hope they are around more to deal with poachers.

 

I know that game wardens have allot of power, but to the OP question, I don't know in your state how far their authority reaches.

 

LOL, he's in Boone NC. I seen the first one yesterday in a black ford truck behind me.

 

Dont hold me to this, but I think they have to have a reason in Kentucky to enter private land. They can't just come strolling through. I wouldn't be mad if I was the OP. IT just means they are doing their job.

 

During firearm season, our CPO's fly a plane all over the place. I wish they would just walk out in the timber and do checks, because that stupid plane is ridiculously loud and they fly really low. They might as well ride a Harley with straight pipes through the timber, at that point.

 

I hunt next to an airport, it's crazy loud some days. It seems like the last hour of light is the best time for student pilot "touch and goes" and treestand fly overs.

 

actually a warden can not go on private property without landowner consent or a search warrant to check stands or hunters, they need to follow the same rules as all law enforcement. If I was public land then yes they can. That is the law, they have a tough job and I like to see they are doing it, but they must follow the laws also. I asked a friend about this who is a lawyer, he provided me with the info.

 

Your lawyer friend is wrong. In case law it is referred to as the open field doctrine. Officers can go onto private property to check hunters and enforce laws without a warrant.

 

Unfortunately it is legal in most states even without probable cause. I have a few pieces of land that I have received permission to hunt and the landowners have told the game wardens to stay the hell away. Legally, they can still come back; however I think some of the wardens have stayed away just to keep the peace. Some things sound good on paper, but when it comes to real world application do not turn out as well as intended. I know it varies from state to state also. I have heard the Wardens in Ohio are friendly and helpful. Here in PA most WCO think because they have a badge they are some type of bad@ss and most assume every hunter they come into contact with is guilty. I have no issue with them going after poachers, tresspassers (they can't in PA... only local or state law enforcement can do this unless another game law violation is being committed) if they have evidence a violation is taking place. I do have issue when they simply see what appears to be a hunters vehicle parked somewhere and they start walking all over private land looking for who they assume must be in violation of game laws. They actually have more power (Example: don't need a warrant) than state and local law enforcement. "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

 

I also used to live in PA what a nightmare department that was I wont even begin to tell you the how bad they are at their job. As corrupt as it gets have never heard of them helping anyone and can recall many stories of falsely accusing and fining people just downright harassing law abiding hunters. I have hunted many other states and they have issues as well but overall most game officers I'v met in other states have been helpful and even giving me advice where to hunt, taking time to improve my overall experience. Most states if you are doing what you are suppose to encounters with game officers are a pleasant experience in Pa its a powertrip for the guy wearing the badge to see if he can assert himself and or fine you.

 

Game wardens can come on private and public land for any reason they want. In any state, it's part of the federal game laws.

 

Yup. What he said. Those boys can do about anything they want

 

Once when I first started hunting a PGC officer stopped us; my dad, my uncle, my brother, and myself. He was nice and we talked hunting after he did his check. I have seen them at parking areas since but never again since that day has one approached me hunting. That was in 1983.

I do not have a problem with them doing their job, it does stink they come right to your tree and ruin a hunt. But that's better than them not doing their jobs at all.

 

I know they can go check anybody at anytime...that's their job and it is needed with all the bozos running around firing up the woods and the antics they pull. Some of the stories around here would blow your mind what people do and call it hunting.

Deep down inside, I would get pissed. I would of course comply and put on a smile. I always hunt 100% fully legal so I never have anything to worry about. The warden basically ruined the hunt without a very good reason. He knows before he enters the woods to check hunters at their stands that he will waste their hunt and their time for that day. To me it seems arrogant and unnecessary.

I have had them wait next to my car after it got dark to talk and check everything and I have also been stopped at checkpoints but that does not bother me. The warden here waited by my car and I walked out...we ended up talking for about 45 minutes and swapping cell phone trail cam pics. He explained where his stand is in the same area...turns out his stand is about 200 yards from mine!

 

I think here in Missouri they can do as they please. Public land or Private. Having a hunt spoiled can really suck but they are just doing their job. I do think it will be more respectful to wait for you at your vehicle though. Some agents are pretty cool guys, some others ,not so.

 

Sure wish they'd check more guys around here! Ive only been checked once and that was about 17 years ago while **** hunting.

 

My father and I were walking down the road a few years ago and a couple of Wardens spotted us and stopped to check us out during shotgun season. We each are carrying shotguns and our concealed handguns as he rolls down the window and starts chatting us up. Almost immediately my father proceeds to tell the officer that he has a concealed carry permit and he is armed (Ohio is a notify state). The officer gives him a kind of strange look as he looks at the shotgun and says "I can see that you are armed."

It was actually the second time I've been queried by a warden, once fishing and once hunting. Must be my sketchy appearance.