Locked Fishouse Door?

[mnhunter2]

Can you have the door of the fishouse locked while you are in it and if we can't keep it locked can anyone enter without permission?

[machohorn]

To my knowledge ( don't take it to the bank) you can lock it and everyone needs permission to come into it including the DNR.

[RonWBasser]

I believe it has to be able to open from the outside. I think it is in the regulations that way.

I know I have had the DNR / CO come up and knock with one quick knock and open the door and say "conservation officer" and step right in.

[Black_Bay]

The regs say on page 58: "Dark houses, fish houses, and portable shelters must have a door that can be opened from the outside at any time when in use."

[Jethro80]

How would this work if you were in a sleeper? I would want the door locked in any part of the state if I'm sleeping, need time to focus if someones trying to get in unlawfully.

[JIGGS]

I thought this reg was overturned in court a few years ago, allowing you to keep your fishhouse door locked.

[jerkbait]

The court ruling says the DNR can not come in without permission, but the regs about the door lock was never removed.

[IFallsRon]

I go with a couple pieces of wide Velcro.

[deadeye]

If you are worried about someone getting in while your sleeping, lock the door. The dnr can not come in without being let in or having a search warrant. If they knock you can get up and unlock the door, letting them in. I wouldnt run all day like that, but I understand where your coming from wanting to sleep in peace.

[machohorn]

I'll take my chances with the DNR vrs. having some one come in the middle of the night ask for my wallet, truck keys and cell them make off with out me being able to get help.

[dirtking]

After a very late night out (5 am) I was awaken by a warden at 9:00 am - he had opened my door and stuck his head in and was saying "conservation officer" to which i replied MMMhhaahhmmpphh.

After coming to my senses I crawled half out of bed (in my boxers) and the warden asked "late night?" I said Yup Real Late. Checked my license and left - nice guy.

[DHanson]

Why don't you call the DNR office in which jurisdiction you are fishing in? Not that hard and at least you will know for sure and not just some random person's opinion.

[fishnhooks]

If I didn't lock my door at night and the game warden opened up my door while I was sleeping he/she would probably be trying to round up 2 excited labs to get them back inside.

"hooks"

[charliepete2]

Quote:

If I didn't lock my door at night and the game warden opened up my door while I was sleeping he/she would probably be trying to round up 2 excited labs to get them back inside.

"hooks"

If a game warden opened a fish house door without announcing himself while me and my German Shorthairs were inside he'd probably spend the rest of his life wiping his arse with a hook. The only thing my dogs dislike more than strangers is unannounced strangers.

[jwmiller33]

^^^^hahaha... i would love to see that happen... serves them right for busting in i would say

[hovermn]

Serves them right? Loosing the use of a body part for serving the people? That's just sad.

The regs state that the door has to open from the outside anytime it's being used. With that said, and I know others have said the same thing, I lock it at night while sleeping. I'll take my chances with a ticket if the officer wants to go that route.

Though, thinking about it again, I sleep in a tent all the time during the summer, and it's obviously not locked. Guess being in a house like structure gives a false sense of insecurity. Never the less, I'm still lockin' that door

[walleyeseeker]

I asked my local CO about this last year as I take my kids with and don't want them to be scared by a surprise visitor. His answer was, "I can not tell you to break the law, but I lock my house door every night." I haven't spent a night since without locking the door. As far as them entering without permission, no other law enforcement agency can do this so a game warden should be no different.

[deadeye]

They had a big deal about that issue a couple years ago. Now the CO's by law have to ask permission to enter, or have a search warrant. So, they would have to knock, identify them selves and be invited in, to be able to come in. So getting up and unlocking the door and letting them in shouldnt be a problem.

[waterwolff]

I lock mine at night also. A couple years ago I had dropped my buddy off at his house and than continued the couple hundred yards down to mine. Well later in the night he hears a snowmobile pull up and shut down and than the crunching of snow heading in his direction but as soon as his lab sounded off whom ever it was beat feet back to the sled and was out of there. So it gives me a little piece of mind locking mine.

Mike

[metro fisherman]

I think its a good thing. I know Hillmans houses on URl have hooks to lock your door.

[ICE_KING]

I just completed all my schooling for natural resources law enforcement, and i can tell you for a fact you are ok to lock your door. Be advised window peeps may follow the knock with a flashlight shining through as well. Also the sooner the door is opened after you have acknowledged your presence inside the better!!!Trust me... Most of what others have said is correct though enforcement does need either a warrant or the "ok" to enter or the overwhelming amount of facts that may exist outside leading a CO to believe a crime is being commited inside!

[Sandmannd]

Nice post Ice King, Thanks.

[jd524]

Good post Ice King.

The courts have ruled through case law that a CO needs either consent, a warrant, or exigent circumstances to enter the fish house. These rulings pretty much abolished the requirement to keep your door unlocked, however there is still a statute stating that the door has to be unlocked.

In order to be rid of the statute the legislators would have to draft a bill to have the statute repealed. No real need for them to do since the courts have ruled on the subject, and case law trumps statuatory law.

It's kind of like the MN statutes that say it's illegal to committ adultery or burn the flag. The statutes still exist and probably always will, but the courts have said they are not enforceable.