Does DNR officer have the right to come into your ice house?

[fishoff]

From reading it seems like they go from fish house to fish house checking everyone.

[Eskimoman]

They cannot come inside your house without your permission. I dont know why. Just makes it easier for poachers I guess.

[hanson]

They have to knock or recognize themselves first, you can then let them in.

There was a lawsuit a few years ago that tested this case and this was the ruling that came from that.

[zamboni]

I thought that CO's just had to announce who they were and could let themselves in, even without an invitation.

A weird story:

A man in my hometown was getting checked by a CO a few years back and had a heart attack and died while the CO was in his house.

[mrklean]

Thats what i thought they had knock, then say they were a CO, then they could go in

[hanson]

 Originally Posted By: fishoff

From reading it seems like they go from fish house to fish house checking everyone.

Actually, to answer your initial question fundamentally... YES, that is what they do.

[irvingdog]

Hey!!! Who rolled the grenade into the room?!?!?!

[mike morris]

I spoke with a CO about three months ago. He said they must introduce themselves as a CO, and you must give them permission to enter first. They can call for a verbal warrant though if the feel something is going on. Then that person better watch out, because you can almost guarantee that the CO is going to find something wrong!

[Sandmannd]

Yea, you have to let them in. If you don't, I'm betting they call and get the warrant because they figure something is up. I don't do anything illegal so I welcome them to come up anytime. If you visit with them, you might get a lead to a hot bite as well.

[harvey lee]

I realize one does not have to let anyone in but if they knock on my door I always welcome them in. There have been times when I have learned of locations from the CO where others have been doing well.

If never have anything to hide and all they are trying to do is to protect our own resource. They will always be welcome in my house.

[jwhjr]

I've always welcomed them as well. You don't see them often enough in my opinion.

[SSSTaxidermy]

Every CO that I've come across have been nothing but professional and friendly. They are people just like you and I and doing a job. They shouldn't be judged personally just because of their profession regardless of what it is. (not saying that anyone is). As long as you are complaint with the rules and regs...Nothing to worry about. They put their pants on the same way I do, 1 leg at a time.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Hunting 24-7 I have found that if you sit on the edge of the bed you can do both legs at once... LOL

I too enjoy talking to CO's Many have been very kind to say the very least.

[cliffy]

They are like any other Law Enforcement Officer in many ways. They must knock and ID themselves and can only come in if you allow....UNLESS they have probable cause by another venue. They cant just get a warrant because you say, sorry, cant come in.

With that being said, I have been checked by a few COs and have always had a nice encounter. Very polite and professional.

[blackdog1101]

 Originally Posted By: jwhjr

I've always welcomed them as well. You don't see them often enough in my opinion.

Ditto that. CO's are the good guys, and we should do our best to make their jobs easier.

[tisosy11]

Yeah - No forced entry unless suspicion. I have not ran across any COs that were 'out to get' people but its not like most of us need to worry about the CO personally. Just hope they catch the suckers!

[JigginIsLife]

I have never been checked by a CO officer in my life, well since i can remember. wish i would, sometimes it would be nice to have somone out there to talk to when all your buddies dont want to go fishing. anyways would like to see more of them out there doing thier job.

[kilkercal615]

Most CO's are nice friendly guys but I do have to say that I ran into a not so friendly one that seemed like he just wanted to give me a ticket. When I was in high school I had a CO try to tell me that I had been drinking in my fish house. I told him that I hadn't and he asked me to take a breathilizer (sp) I took it and blew .000 that was no big deal but then he said hold on this thing can't be working and made me do it again. Again I blew a zero. He then called a local sherriff that was in the area and made me blow into his breathalizer. I blew another zero. I don't know why he was out to get me but in the process my pole went half way down the hole and missed the fish. Oh well we need CO's out there and I am sure most are doing there job right.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I've also never been checked while fishing. I think I've only been checked one time while hunting, and that was because we put out decoys early the year the law changed and someone had called us in. Luckily he was understanding in that case.

[cold one sd]

Here they can open your door and enter your ice house whenever they choose. It is illegal to have the door locked while you are inside of it. They do knock and are usually very nice. Most of the time you can't get rid of them because they are cold from riding an ATV and want to warm up. I always offer them a cup of coffee when they come in. I told one that I lock the door while I am sleeping at night and if it was seft unlocked he could be staring at the muzzle of my 357 if he just walked in. If I get tired of talking to him, I just ask if he is too shy to ask for my license. Usually they look at my license and go to the next ice house. I actually appreciate them being on the ice.

[bturck]

i just read an interesting article on CO's in ND. 36 officers are employed in the entire State. 28 are actually field officers which gives them 2000 square miles each to enforce. Lots of driving probably not too much time to stop and chat. Bill

[CrappieAttitude]

 Originally Posted By: blackdog1101

 Originally Posted By: jwhjr

I've always welcomed them as well. You don't see them often enough in my opinion.

Ditto that. CO's are the good guys, and we should do our best to make their jobs easier.

Same here. In fact, When I have noticed a DNR officer out checking houses near me, I typically take my license out so when it is my turn to be checked he isn't standing there wasting his own time as I am fumbling through all my recipts and cards in my wallet. This way he can spend more of his time with the people who aren't doing things they should.

CA

[tisosy11]

I have never been checked fishing. A couple times just cruising on Lake Minnetonka. Been checked numerous times hunting, CO comes up to the house in the morning.

One time a squad car drove all the way back into my woods...roughly 1 mile or so. Checked my stuff and I asked if he was foolish (driving a squad car on our woods road). He didn't care for that, but I was a little annoyed (pretty much ruined my hunt). I said good luck getting back to the road officer and walked away from him and the main road.

Don't know if he made it out without help or not...it was pretty wet and muddy!

[JigginIsLife]

I think that they should have the right to come right in, other than instances such as going to the bathroom i think this rule would work out quite well. if your not doing anything wrong then there is no reason that they cant come in. why not invite them in and offer them a shot of peach schnops ?? anyways i think they should be given more power, and the ability to up the penalty for offenses. personally i think the rights given to CO's are to few and not enough power behind them.

[250XB]

They have to be invited in now. The case that tested the law was drug related.