I have to say that every encounter I've had with a full time regular WCO in the field or otherwise has been a very positive experience. (Even the time whena buddy got a ticket) Every regular WCO has simply been a man with a job to do and they've always approached their job with a high degree of professionalism and respect.

Somedeputies I've run intohave been, by far, less professionaland only did a poor to OK job.

Windwalker, do you know if those two were full time officers or deputies?

I HAVE had two occasions with deputies without the WCO present, where they were unprofessional, rude and most definitely were on an ego power trip. One situation could even have turned dangerous.

In one situation, about 5 years ago, we were in the wrong. We arrived atthe gamelands 24 range and started to set up to sight in. there was a black Dodge pickup with the keystone logo on the door parked nearthe othershooting benchwhen we pulled in. I figured the officer would probably stop by and check us out but the truck simply left as we were unloading the spotting scope, riflesetc. he did see us there and gave us a long look as he left. We set out targets and my buddy took a shot.We were shooting our inlines so it took a minute or so for him to reload and take one more shot. As soon as he shot the second time, the black pickup came flying into the lot and actually scared me some as he came broadsliding in next to my truck. I wasnt sure he was going to stop in time. Then this clown jumps out of the truck andscreams I want some ID now!!!

As it turns out it was 11:50 on Sunday morning. Shooting isn't allowed till noon so we were wrong. This guy took our ID, swore at us twice in front of the three kids we had along with us and went back to his truck. When he came back, he told us we were getting a warning and to pack up and get the hell off the range. When I asked if we could stay till noon and then shoot he told us to pack the truck and leave first and if wanted to we could come back. At this point it was darn near noon anyway but I could see there was no point in saying another word. We left and went somewhere else to shoot. As I said, we were wrong. Not intentionally, we simply didnt have a watch between us and didnt think about it. A dumb mistake but we did break the rules. Thats reason to give a ticket but it's not reason to swear at us, drive into the range like a maniac, and leave two adults and three young kids with a rotten impression of the guy in uniform. I got his name from his tag and the only reason I didnt complain was that my buddy asked me not to and he was the guy who did the shooting. I figured I had to honor his wish because he felt he would get the ticket if we pushed any complaint. Personally, I'd haveno animosity toward that particular deputy if he'd been a gentleman and simply wrote a ticket. Better yet, he was there and saw us setting up before noon. He could have simply taken 50 steps and mentioned that we shouldn't shoot till noon. He had a chance to do his job and make it a positive thing. Instead, he "busted the bad guys"

As it is, this guy is pretty active in the area near my camp. He is a deputy not a regular. The truck is his, not a state truckbut he has it decaled up to look like the full timers. I can say that I would be reluctant to deal with him ever again. Not because I would have reason to avoid a game warden, I simply would choose to avoid that particular deputyin any situation including the fact that I would not flag him down to report a violtion if I saw him right there. I would call Franklin instead. Talking to other hunters in the area, we have found out that this particular deputy is pretty unpopular around town. Not because he does his job but because he has a reputation for having a major case of attitude. (and the folks I've heard this from arent outlaws) BTW, I had the pleasure of meeting the (fairly new) full timeWCO in our county last fall and heimpressed me as a true professional. Happily, my youngest son whose first encounter was with the jerk deputy also got to meet this gentleman. I'm glad he got to meet one of the good guys. I did not mention the past issue with his deputy. Hopefully, he has gotten to know this jerk and will help rein in his "overenthusiasm".

I had another encounter with a different deputy near my home a long, long time ago where we had done nothing wrong but that situation could have turned dangerous if it had gone a little differently. A friend and I were walking downa country road towards our car at the end of the day. We had quit on time but came out on the road a bit far away from our truckAs we passed a Bronco, the door popped open and a very small guy in a business suit jumped out and got chest to chest with me and said "comin out pretty late there aint ya?". This guy was less than a foot from my face (he was a good foot shorter and 75-100 lbs smaller than me). I took a step back and replied that we were on our way to the truck and that our guns were unloaded. I'm not sure what my tone of voice was but its safe to say I was somewhat aggravated. His next question was what are you gettin smart for? I was much younger then, probably not as calm as I am these days.I did my best to keep my cool but I said "Who the ---- are you to jump in my face? You'd best back up now!" ( if he hadnt been SO little, Iwould probablyhave given him a push or worse). As it was, with him being so small it never entered my mind. I didnt really feel threatened, just aggravated. His response was to turn around and reach into his Bronco (putting his back to us, not the smartest thing if we'd been real bad guys) and come back out with badge AND GUN pointed at my knees with his fingerIN the trigger guard. Words got exchanged, we both calmed down, thanks in part to my buddy, and we went on our way. My point is that this clown jumped in my face with no uniform and no ID and didn't even verbally identify himself until he had already put himself and me into a physical situation. The definition of assault is an action that would make a reasonable man expect that physical contact is imminent. If this guy had not been so tiny and had been big enough to make me feel threatened, he could've been hit in self defense.Again, he was not wearing a uniform or a badge and did not identify himself.

I do appreciate and respect the job that WCO's have to do. I understand that they are understaffed and have huge territoy's to cover. I also understand that they need deputies to help them with that huge job. I know a few deputies and even call a few friends but there are those bad eggs out there. I just wish the PGChad a better way of screening and training their deputy recruits.