Game Warden Encounters and Stories

[Alan]

I had a run-in with a game warden a while back that turned out to be pretty memorable. Just curious if anyone else has had any good or funny experiences with them?

 

[TarHeel_Aim]

One time I was dove hunting and a warden popped up out of nowhere, like he stepped out of the brush. I was sure I was about to get grilled, but he just checked my plug and license, then stuck around and shot the breeze for half an hour. Turned out he grew up about 10 miles from me. Pretty good guy once the nerves wore off.

 

[Pmcc]

I was hunting solo, taking my lab pup for his first pheasant hunt. He had caught wind of a bird but couldn't find him in thick willows. When we circled to the other side of the trees there was another hunter, also alone, who said he saw the bird get up a fly about 100 yards. I asked him to lead us over to the area and he did. The pup got the bird up and we both fired at the same time. Pup made a perfect retrieve , his first. I offered the bird to the other guy, impossible to know who hit it. He declined then introduced himself as the county Game Warden. Very nice guy!

 

[GreenhouseMike]

I had one sneak up on me turkey hunting.

Thought I was busted for something, but he just wanted to see if I'd heard any gobbles.

Ended up swapping stories for half an hour. Most I've met just want to make sure you're safe and legal.

 

[turkeymanwade]

My fishing partner for the day and I are both volunteer hunter ed instructors . We had met the new county wildlife officer while he was still working with his training officer. But, this was our first time encountering him on the water. The young game warden recognized us right off. Just as we got into speaking distance, I said "hey man how long does a flounder have to be before I can keep it?" He told me 14 inches or whatever it was at the time. I said, "uhm, can you give me a minute before you check my livewell?"
The county officer is responsible for the hunter education classes in the county, and they rely on volunteers to help. So, he was in a little bit of a bind. He stared at the water between our boats for a solid minute and then looked up and said, "If you have an illegal flounder, go ahead and let it go." With a grin, I said, "I ain't got no illegal flounder, I don't have a flounder at all." "I'm just jerking your chain." "You can check for yourself." He said, "Good."