What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Okay here is my situation.Last year I was finally able to purchase some hunting land of my own. I have one deer feeder on our property. It is prefectly legal to feed deer and turkey but you are not allowed to hunt over it for turkey. No problem as we just feed to keep the deer/turkey on our land rather than the surrounding property.

Today while on my property I noticed tire tracks going through our field. I followed them and they led to the ridge where our feeder was. So I decided to go check my scouting camera to see if I had any pictures. When checking my scouting camera I discovered that someone had opened the camera a stole my SD memory card. However, there were 50 pictures on the internal memory of the camera.

So I brought the camera home and hooked up to my PC. To my amazement the first picture was of a DNR Officer standing at the feeder just after he had stolen my SD card. So my question is what shouldI do now? I have not broken any game laws whatsoever!

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Call the police.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Wow... That is a crazy situation. I would call your district office right away and report this to them...

Good luck getting your gear back.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

i dont think theres much you can do....i mean...how can you prove he stole it??

maybe get him with trespassing....but, all he porbably has to say was "probably cause" blah blah etc....and "i didnt see a scouting camera let alone steal a card..."

really no way to prove he did it...unless im missing something. could been a coincidence...someone else stole the camera and a could hours later the dnr officer came to investigate the feeder to make sure noone was hunting there.....or not..but COULD be....

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

The DNR Officer for sure took the memory card because 1 minute after the SD card was removed it took his picture.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Fingerprints will prove his guilt, turn his ass in

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Let me know how that turns out. Today while turkey hunting I caught a DNR employee trespassing chasing a bird on my property. He said he had permission to hunt to mySouth. My buddy hunting with me knew the guy and told me later he works for the DNR. He teaches Hunter Ed. Classes. I wonder what he is teaching them about TRESPASSING in those classes.:D:D:DHe said he didn't know he had crossed the property line by about 300 yards.( I have it clearly marked with pink surveyers tape and spray paint on trees about every 50 feet.)

Oh, and by the way after talking to him the turkey stopped gobbling and we spooked it walking over the next ridge.[:@][:@][:'(][:'(]

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

call da po-po ;)

no but really call the police maybe, but deffinitely call the dnr and report the incident, and tell them you got the evidence to back it up.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

I'd call the police first, DNR second, and the local newspaper third if the first two calls don't produce anything;) The third call tends to get results pretty quickly:D Local agencies are always trying to aviod negative press, and if you have pictures, time data, and tire tracks to back it up - it will fly sky high in the newspaper.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

we still call em game wardens, and I would nail his ass, Im sick and tired of them walking around with complete immunity and throwing that damn badge in your face and harassing the wrong people. sorry, i just have little tolerance my area's DNR/game wardens. They seem to be worried about the law abiding people and let the outlaws go b/c they are scared of being beat in court by better lawyers.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

I agree, but when talkng to the police I would drop a hit you are going to the news both local TV and paper next. That will let them know how serious you are. Then I would follow through with it and contact the local newpaper. Its only fair that other hunters around you know who they are dealing with. Then after that I would contact the DNR, be as friendly as you can be but stand firm at the same time and demand that this guy be fired and let them know that you are in the process of pressing charges. Guys like this are no better than poachers in my book and in most cases they really are poachers. Think about it if this guy would stoop low enough to be a thief then what would stop him from thinking he's above the law of poaching.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

i would go right to the dnr office and solve it right there. the dnr has no right to be takingthe property like that.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

While I agree, I would contact the police and DNR before going to the local media. I do agree about letting them know your intentions, I would say more than a hint isn't inappropriate either. Tell them flat out what you'll do and give them a time deadline to make it right. Have something prepared to give to the local media if they don't cooperate, and something prepared if they do cooperate. I think it is good to show local organizations rooting out the bad apples of the bunch.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Don't be suprised if they find some law that you are breaking! It's hard to fight the law - even if they are wrong.

The thing that I'm wondering is why he would do whatyou said he did. I'm not doubting you. Like the police would say " what is his motive"

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

The DNR are like Nazi's they do what ever they want. I talked to a cop here a few years ago who was shining in his cruiser and he got pulled over by the DNR and the warden was going to right him a ticket but his boos told him to drop it. Take it to the district attorny and the local news

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Us too;). DNR is a term I have never heard out of someones mouth, just on here.

But I would call the police or go to the DNR office directly

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Wait for him to come back again an setup another camera in a place where he can not see it.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

I'm surprised at the "go to the DNR first" responses. What are they going to do? This guy is tresspassing, and committed robbery, you need to take legal action.He works for the DNR, they will prob. take his side, I think. I'd go to the police, who can really help you.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Whatever you do keep us posted.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

I doubt that he really needed an a memory card. My guess is that he wants to view the pics, to see what kind of game you have there. His motive may be to hunt there, or near there, or hook one of his buddys up.Still absolutely ridiculous for whatever reason,
and I would definitely pursue it. That's theft in anyone's book!!!

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

My first take...

Without a warrant, this is an illegal search and seizure. Ok, can the feeder be seen from the road? Did someone see you hunting there?If so, then he has probable cause. It is illegal to hunt turkeys over bait. He isgathering evidence.

The WV rules pertaining to deer and the baiting of wildlife states:

[align=left]It is illegal to bait or feed cervids or other wildlife in a[/align][align=left]“Containment Area” as determined by the Director and[/align][align=left]established for the management, control or eradication of[/align][align=left]chronic wasting disease, bovine tuberculosis, avian influenza[/align][align=left]or other wildlife diseases. Song and insectivorous birds may[/align][align=left]be fed, provided that such feeding shall not cause, or be[/align][align=left]done in a manner that would be reasonably anticipated to[/align][align=left]cause, a congregation of cervids or other wildlife. [/align][align=left][/align][align=left]Is this considered a containment area?[/align][align=left][/align][align=left]Hmmm....maybe a misunderstanding.[/align]

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

I would call a Lawyer first and foremost. All too often the police know the DNR around where I am at and everyone seems to look out for each other. I am not the biggest fan of Lawyers but at least they could view the laws. In this case I would think the DNR would be liable and you could have a lawsuit against them so they would likely can the guy and play nice to keep it out of court. Then again you are taking on the state so this could be a lose lose situation.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Interesting, that may change things!! If it is an illegal feeder, someone other than the CPO is gonna have some explaining to do [:o]

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

hankfan, how do you know it was 1 minute after he took the card that it took his picture??

forgive my ignorance...maybe theres a way to tell...

but i know if someone takes the card from my digital camera i can take a pic a month later and store it on the camera and i have no idea when that card was removed...i know it was in there a month earlier the last time i charged the battery(or whatever..) but id have no way to know the time it was taken...id just know it was missing....

theres NO way at all that someone else took the card and left and he came in after and was the next picture to be taken?? thats all im wondering...i just dont see how it MIGHT not just be a coincidence that his picture was the next to be taken....

very well is most likely guilty....but i dont know theres a way to absolutly prove it

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

man oh man....call the police...it may get polital and they maypotentially blow off the issue....just my guess...

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

UUmmmm not doubting you,but it seems odd he would take just the card,and not all your stuff,he should know the workings of game camera's and realize they still can take pics with card gone....Maybe someone was going to steal everything at a earlier time and got spooked after seeing the cam and rushed and grabbbed card not knowing better....well anyway good luck hope it works out for you............

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Thats just screwed up! Report this clown to the police. I wouldnt call the DNR until the police do there thing.
If you call them (DNR)this guys is gonna get spooked and toss the stuff before the cops can catch him with it. I feel sorry for you, but you have to go after this guy or he is going to keep doing it.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

X2...this is definitely the best way..

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

I know in GA that a game warden can walk anywhere on your property , or go through any gate without a warrant or probale cause. I would thinkthis also would apply to all federal game wardens.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

I'd be carefull who you tell. You might just get nothing for the trouble. The prosecutor's office is the one I'd call first.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

You guys need to understand WV. I grew up there (williamson, wv) and Ky and can tell ya police and DNR are tight. The local police will not help you. All you can do is try to get the news station to take up your story. I would contact the main director of operations in Charleston. I would send him thru email the pictures. If he blows you off, send them to the local newspaper. They love misc stories like this.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Sounds like he is gathering evidence. I know it is illegal to feed in many states on count of Chronic Wasting Disease. I'm guessing he took that card to prove there are animals at your feeder. If he was going to steal stuff he would've took the whole camera. I believe this is going to have a different outcome than you think.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

I agree. Sounds like an evidence investigation going on. Sounds like you may get a big shock. Maybe youll never hear anything. Who knows. I believe a "Containment Area" is defined as any particular peice of property that is totally enclosed by a high fence. ButI could be wrong.Each state varies. I would Hit the wardens office and ask what is going on, if youre breaking anylaws you need to know about it/them before it leads to bigger trouble. And if they refuse to give you the information and your property back hit the press hard.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Disregard, concerned search warrants

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Hankfan one thing I can tell you the DNR office is located in the WV state Police office there in Princeton and dont expect any help at all from the police they are tight with each other. We both know the corruption that goes on with the police in Mercer county. Like stated above watch out if your feeder cannot be seen from the road someone reported that you were feeding the Turkeys and drawing them in to hunt and at this time of year they frown on feeders period. DNR or as you said we call them game wardens have a lot of power they do just about anything they want here.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

post his pics on the internet tell your own story if they do not help you, years ago we were doing a deer drive and kicked out a nice buck the dec officer pulled over got out of his car fired 4 shots at the buck we yelled he got back in his car and left

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

x2

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

IF HE IS HUNTING NEAR HIS HOME OF ROCK WV, THERE ARE NO BAITING RESTRICTIONS FOR DEER..ONLY ONE PART OF THE STATE HAS THEM...AND THAT'S WAY..WAY UP NORTH FROM ROCK, WV. I HAVE A VERY CRAZY QUESTION THAT SOMEONE SHOULD OF ASKED BY NOW....WHERE ARE THESE PICS...I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM...ANOTHER QUESTION THAT NEEDS ASKING, ARE YOU A TURKEY HUNTER AND HAVE YOU KILLED ONE THIS YEAR? HAVE YOU HUNTED FOR THEM THIS YEAR? IF SO, COULD IT BE POSSIBLE THAT SOMEONE SEEN YOU WHILE HUNTING AND FIGURED YOU WHERE HUNTING OVER BAIT FOR TURKEYS? THEN THAT WOULD FORCE DNR TO INVESTIGATE...WHICH MIGHT OF LEAD TO TAKING YOUR STUFF....BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY HAVEN'T NOTIFIED YOU YET? I THINK YOU SHOULD CALL YOUR DISTRICT AND GET ANSWERS. IF THEY DID TAKE IT FOR NO REASON....NEWSPAPER HAVEN, CALL SOME OF THE BIG TV STATIONS THAT HAVE A NATIONAL COVERAGE....IF THEY ARE INVESTIGATING YOU, YOU WILL GET YOUR THINGS BACK IF THE CAN'T PROVE ANYTHING.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

I don't think it's a crazy question, at all. I know in my area.....if I had an active feeder working on property I was turkey hunting on......I'd know they were gathering evidence against ME.

Not making any assumptions....just offering another POV.

RE: What Should I do, Caught DNR Stealing My Stuff???
 

Ive chased wardens off my property before as well, some are good but others are crooked and its a tough situation to be in.