Kudos to the DNR

[Guest]

I think the DNR often gets a bad rap - a lot of people dwell on their complaints they have with them instead of the success the DNR has had over the years that maintain the state so we can all do what we like to do outside.

With that in mind, I just emailed the DNR this letters:

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Hi -

I wish to give my compliments to the DNR and to one specific officer. Unfortunately, I didn't ask his name, because the boat ramp was busy, but he should be easy to identify. He was working the Warroad boat ramp on Father's Day (Sun, June 15th) around 1:00 P.M.

When I got to the dock he was very professional and asked about our fishing, etc, and some apparent survey questions. Then, a few minutes later when I was having trouble trailing my boat due to wind, he gave some very helpful advice and even came over to help center my boat on the trailer after it was pulled out and a little crooked. He didn't have to do this - it's not his job or responsibility, and he wasn't doing it just to get us out of the way. He was just being a great guy and doing his job very well.

I think too often people probably do not take the time to compliment the members of the DNR who work hard to provide a quality experience fishing (and the things we enjoy that the DNR oversees) so I wanted to take time and commend this officer.

If at all possible, I would like to have this letter forwarded to him and also to his supervisor, because both of them deserve to know that this officer is doing his job well.

Thanks in advance,

(my contact information, taken out for now)

[Fish On]

it nice to meet good dnr officers like that but if wrote a letter about every one thats was a dink i would be able to type 90 wpm lol

[kslipsinker]

I have the utmost respect for every DNR officer. They have a difficult job that a lot of people do not understand. They have to deal with all sorts of personalities in the day to day job, some anglers and hunters take great pleasure in making their lives difficult. I give them all the praise because if I were treated as rudely as some of these folks were, I woould be kicking some butt. They have to take it with a smile and make sure they don't offend the person. I have never had a bad experience with a DNR officer, but I obey all the rules and try to help them whenever possible.

[traveler]

I almost hate to admit it, but I'm a pretty big DNR fan. Sure, I've ran into a couple jerk wardens; but I've only gotten one citation (deserved) and have been let off easy a couple times in marginal situations. I've always tried to pretty much play by the rules and treat people in positions of authority with respect. And hey, we do actually pay them to bust us if we screw up, right? Now if they'd only stock the lakes I want...

[Guest]

In all honesty, I got one warning once, but I deserved it. I was using an unlicensed (but recently purchased) jet ski. The DNR officer asked me when I had bought it and it was close to the 90 day license rule, so he gave me a warning saying that I should get it licensed.

In all fairness, he was right - I probably should have (but legally didn't) have to have it licensed by then. His warning was fair.

The only other time I remember having a DNR officer check me was on Long Lake by Park Rapids - he just checked us to make sure we had life jackets and a throw cushion. After that, he said thanks and moved on - a class act. You can't fault someone (and probably should praise them) for double checking safety equipment.

[This message has been edited by Consultant (edited 06-15-2003).]

[Guest]

Odds are good you met a part-time DNR Creel Survey clerk, or a DNR full time personnel doing a Creel Survey as a peripheral research project? That river system is being monitored and has been for many years now.

Them Creel Survey folks are well known to be Nice Guys Eh.

[Guest]

I doubt he was full time - he checked us last year and measured all of our fish, etc, at the dock. He's been there every time I've been checked.

He was always professional, yet nice and friendly.

[Fish On]

one of my buddies almost recieved a ticket while duckhunting FOR NOT PICKING UP HIS DOG [PoorWordUsage] he better get out there and start regulating on them dang deer another incedent happend while duck hunting again we were being check by about the biggest dink of a dnr i have ever met in my life he was checking all of our guns for plugs and making sure we were using steel shot doing his job and his dog runs over to us (playing in my jon boat i might add) no big deal and one of my buddies peted him and this dink is like dont touch my dog so i can only be so nice to someone who is so rude. so i told well dont let your dog touch my stuff then needless to say he gave us the full search trying to some how give us a ticket but he couldnt find anything so i smiled at him and told him to have a exellent day and he even got more mad people like that should work in a factory so they dont have to drag down everyones day they can just run there machine and keep there mouth shut thats just my two pennies