I got checked by the DNR yesterday......

[JohnMickish]

Everybody gives the DNR folks dump about how long they get detained and their attitudes. Well, my experience was nothing less than positive. They pulled up next to us (they where in a white Lund Pro V, unmarked), had us pull in our lines, asked to see the life jackets (I had them in a storage compartment), asked to see the throwable which was out and hanging off the shifter, asked for our lisences which we all had (I also showed them my registration which is in the same holder as my lisence) and they where off. Very professonal and it took maybe 2 minutes.

Why am I writing this? As they where pulling away they said that they appreciate us having all the required stuff ready to go and that it makes their job easier. So the nuts and bolts of it is know the rules, be courtious and be legal and you won't have a problem.

[jentz]

Funny they didn't ask for the horn,Whistle (sounding device)?? Each time I have been checked they checked for that!! along with what you mention.Do you carry a emergency sounding device??

[BobT]

Funny they didn't ask for the horn,Whistle (sounding device)?? Each time I have been checked they checked for that!! along with what you mention.Do you carry a emergency sounding device??

I've never been asked for that but my horn button is on the console. Still, they have never asked me to demonstrate that it works. I know they always check that I have a fire extinguisher although they have never checked that it was charged and ready. Mostly, they check my license and that I have the appropriate PFD on board.

Otherwise, I usually end up shooting the breeze with them for a while whenever they stop by. This is true while hunting too.

[JohnMickish]

Besides the horn, I do have a wistle in the glove box. How many people carry a wistle incase their horn quites?

[mainbutter]

I have a dozen whistles tucked away just about everywhere, in almost any bag that might get taken along on an outdoors trip! It's a great thing to do.

I have one in every one of my tackle boxes, in my big fishing bag, in my two backpacks, in my tent bag, and other places I've probably forgotten about.. kind of the same with headlamps. I keep track of my two good headlamps, but I have my cheapos tucked away in places where it might be useful for them to be found.

[Fish Head]

Thanks for posting that John. We never hear enough of the good professional encounters, only the problem ones.

[itchmesir]

We live in a society where we take kindness and professionalism for granted.. and curse those same people when things do not go in our favor..

[jentz]

I got checked by the DNR yesterday...... [Re: BobT]

mnfishinguy

HotSpotOutdoors Pro Staff

Registered: 11/30/03

Posts: 4846

Loc: White Bear Lake Besides the horn, I do have a whistle in the glove box. How many people carry a wistle incase their horn quites?

I ask because being checked three times on the lake my friend lives,We had everything required EXCEPT a emergency sounding devise.And were told a whistle suffices.The sheriff water patrol in Kandiyohi county were the first to check.My friend got a warning ticket for that first offense.Since he and we carry a whistle in tackle boxes.

Now if someone would experience the ultimate bad luck, and their boat was going under,Just where or which box should we or me quickly pull out that emergence sounding device??

I have to question the origional poster??Is this a feel good post or realistic?? AFter all the sounding devise is as important as the throwing devise according to rules in the Mn. boating guide!! Were you really stopped???Or just blowin hot air??

[Finns]

I have to question the origional poster??Is this a feel good post or realistic?? AFter all the sounding devise is as important as the throwing devise according to rules in the Mn. boating guide!! Were you really stopped???Or just blowin hot air??

Does it matter or are you just arguing?

[Jeremy airjer W]

I have had the same experience on the st. Croix by all the sherrifs departments. The thing that always gets me is thatt since I have an 18 foot boat I am required to have a fire extinguisher. I have an old Lund and I think they just assume its a sixteen foot and never ask to see the fire extinguisher.

The Wisconsin C.O. 's are the same. Very professional! Never been checked by a MN C.O.

[CAMAN]

I have had the same experience on the st. Croix by all the sherrifs departments. The thing that always gets me is thatt since I have an 18 foot boat I am required to have a fire extinguisher. I have an old Lund and I think they just assume its a sixteen foot and never ask to see the fire extinguisher.

The Wisconsin C.O. 's are the same. Very professional! Never been checked by a MN C.O.

Actually, in MN all boats 26ft and under are only required to have a fire extinguisher if the fuel tank is in an enclosed compartment. If the tank is out and visible no requirement for extinguisher. Could this be your case? I know I've been checked a few times in my old 16ft Lund in Prescott and each time they specifically asked where the fuel tank is, and because mine was hidden in a compartment they then asked for the extinguisher.

But like the OP stated, I've never once had an issue with CO's or sheriffs checking me. They were always great. I once did get a warning because I forgot to put my throwable back into the boat after a cleaning, but they didn't hassle me about it, just gave me the warning ticket and told me not to forget it next time and went on their way.

[pikerliker]

I have been checked several times in my times out fishing and hunting and have yet to once have a bad experience with a CO. Not to say there arent a bad CO or two in the state but I haven't met them yet. I think a lot of it is how you respond to them. If your open, cooperative, etc then they are professional and frequently friendly. If your actings suspiciously, being sarcastic, or outright hostile you will probably recieve similar treatment from them. You reap what you sow as they say...

[CANOPY SAM]

Amen to that! Amen, to that!

Been checked dozens of times, fishing, and hunting, and never, ever had a problem.

Once in a great while you might run into a CO that's a little uptight, but personally I see this in general retail customer service way more often then with our DNR.

I'm happy to see someone giving credit where credit is due. Thanks mnfishingguy!

[JohnMickish]

I have to question the origional poster??Is this a feel good post or realistic?? AFter all the sounding devise is as important as the throwing devise according to rules in the Mn. boating guide!! Were you really stopped???Or just blowin hot air??

I was really checked, and the reason for the post is have your ducks in a row so when the law, either the sheriff or DNR stops by things go smooth and fast so you can get back to fishing, which is why you are out there in the first place, right?

[Scott K]

I think it is a two way street, if both parties give respect to each other, it will be a pleasant encounter. If either party is having a bad day, it can easily be a negative experience. I have only been checked by a warden once this year, and they were very friendly, and courteous, even though they gave me a ticket. I deserved the ticket, I didnt have current registration on the canoe, I didnt argue, or try to make up a lame excuse, I took the ticket with my head down, but, I was friendly, and so were they.

I have had 2 bad experiences in the past, one time a rather bad one, it may have been started by accident, but they rammed my boat at about 20 mph, when I was anchored, lets just say one of the parties wasnt very friendly (me) after that. Which led to them being jerks back to me.

[CaptainMusky]

I thought life jackets AND throw able flotation devices had to be out and not tucked away in a compartment. Thats what I always do. In the event the boat capsizes or something its easier to grab the life jacket that is floating around in the water than to swing into the boat, open the compartment and retrieve it.

On a side note, my kids always like seeing the DNR or Sheriff check us. Because they get a DQ just for wearing their life jacket.

[Scott K]

I thought life jackets AND throw able flotation devices had to be out and not tucked away in a compartment. Thats what I always do. In the event the boat capsizes or something its easier to grab the life jacket that is floating around in the water than to swing into the boat, open the compartment and retrieve it.

On a side note, my kids always like seeing the DNR or Sheriff check us. Because they get a DQ just for wearing their life jacket.

I used to always take mine out as well, but when you dont wear it, they tend to fly out of the boat while moving, and you end up with less life jackets every year. After loosing my 2 good new ones in a week, they either stay in the compartment, or on someone. Not on the floor of the boat.

[Stick in Mud]

Good post, mnfishinguy. I think this kind of story should be told more often. Yes, there are some CO's who are jerks (at least some of the time), but the majority of the time the encounters can--and should--go pretty smoothly if both parties are reasonable.

For what it's worth, I bet a lot of the DNR fellas are getting a lot more grief than they used to because of the AIS fiascos. It's obviously not their fault, but I bet they're getting a lot more attitude than they were a year or three ago.

[Scupper]

I originally posted this in the Red Lake forum.

My sons and I launched out of the south-side on Saturday. First and only walleye was hooked up at 10:00 AM, 15 and a half inches.

5 beautiful sheep-head and 2 northern, 17" and 37". Jigging, Rigging spinners and raps, lead-core and raps. Walleye came off of jig tipped with chub and all the rest of fish came from lead-core rigs. We left the lake at 10:00 PM.

Thirteen and a half hours in the boat, with that southeast breeze has left my calves feeling like wood.

On a side-note, we were approached and inspected by 2 agents representing the DNR. I will describe our encounter not only as I saw it, but my one sons view also. My son is in law enforcement.

One agent was of the sort that all could hope for if approached. He was professional, respectful and courteous, an example of what one would expect. The other agent, well, not so much for respect and courtesy. His obnoxious demanding tone stripped away any professionalism he may have had.

After our short compliant inspection, and the agents departing, I held silent and waited for my sons to see what there reaction would be. I'd like to believe that out of what I have taught them by example, they were silent until I asked them of there thoughts of this experience. They were both at a loss for words until the one who is in enforcement inquired, "why the good cop bad cop routine"? We laughed and shared many hypothetical situations as to why some people need to puff up.

O.K, I've been approached many times over my 57 years by game wardens/CO's. This is only the second time I remember a representative of the state that has shown less then digestible behavior. On several occasions over the years I have shared a hot cup of coffee with CO's while they have warmed themselves within my ice shelter. I'm not bashing or whining, just sharing our experience.

I did ask the CO's if they noticed anyone doing any good fishing. The one fella replied we were doing the best out of the one's they had checked. I could of swore he winked when he told me this... He really was a nice guy.

I love this lake and area and hope to be back soon for the fall run.

Scott

[OnAFly]

The few times I've been checked, the guys have been pretty nice to me. I had the same situation as 4wanderingeyes. Didn't update my canoe regs, got a ticket, but the guy was still overall pleasant with me. Other times when we could have gotten tickets for minor stuff we haven't and the guys were still nice.

Honestly, I've never had any LEO be rude to me.

[harvey lee]

I have been checked by CO's many times and they have always been very professional and friendly.

I have been asked for my horn or whistle many times.

[CaptainMusky]

I have been asked for my horn or whistle many times.

Im sorry Harvey, but when I read that I laughed. :-)

[B@ssmaster]

I've also been checked many times over the years while fishing, while duck hunting and while pheasant hunting. All have been very professional encounters, all very friendly except one in Wi (I think the guy was having a bad day for some reason). I've actually had two MN CO's help me load my 19' duck hunting canoe onto my truck after they watched me paddle in very stiff headwind for 30 minutes to get to the landing after shooting hours - with the comment "let us help you, you look pretty wiped out after that paddle." We've had the same Iowa CO check us year after year while down there pheasant hunting, he's getting to know us by sight now. He's even paused his approach when he noticed a few of us were trying to wrangle our dogs into position for some pictures. He didn't want to get the dogs all riled up until after we got the shots. Very cool of him.

[Feathers Rainin]

Congratulations!

[DOC33]

Was checked by a MN CO just as we began to head into the field for a pheasant hunt. He asked the four of us for licenses and while three of us pulled ours out and handed them to him, the fourth guy realized he had left his wallet at the house. After checking the first three, the co says, "sounds like someone is going to jail". Pretty dam funny at the time. After flipping thru his book of warning tickets, he realized he was out and says, "guess I'm gonna have to write you a ticket". Guy replies, "just shoot me". CO says, "no you don't want that, I'm a bad shot". The CO asked for the guys name so he could do a call in check for valid license. When the guy replied Lars, the CO gave him a look like really? After completing the license check and wishing us good luck, we were on our way. That is one that will be recalled and laughed about numerous times.