These rights which people fought and died for apply to all persons, including the innocent:

U.S. Constitution
Fourth Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.


[hr]

CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Security From Searches and Seizures
Article 1. Section 8.

The people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers and possessions from unreasonable searches and seizures, and no warrant to search any place or to seize any person or things shall issue without describing them as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation subscribed by the affiant.

Thank you for posting the relevant parts of our Constitution, to many people have never taken the time to read what they say.

What some of you can’t seem to grasp though is the definition of the word unreasonable as it is used in both the United States and the Pennsylvania state constitutions.

That word unreasonable is a totally subjective word which has a different meaning to different people. That is why the courts are constantly making determinations and writing opinions on what is reasonable verses what is unreasonable.

Law enforcement officers of all jurisdictions and all across this state and nation work within the legal frame work of those court opinions that set down the definition of the distinction between reasonable and unreasonable.

Perhaps it is the thinking of some people, especially about what their rights really are or even should be, that is unreasonable.

Dick Bodenhorn
WCO, Elk County [/b]

That's not exactly true. If it were there would never be any successful civil rights lawsuits (and there are some doozies). However, in general, our LEO's do a great job considering that the definition of "reasonable" is evolving and that they have to be constantly kept up to date on new developments.
I'm glad to be living in America and I'll be even gladder when the PGC stops suspicionless searches and seizures.

Perhaps it is thethinking of some LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS,especiallyaboutwhat the publics rights really are or even should be, that is unreasonable

My definition of unreasonable in this area is the presumption that the WCO has the right to search my person or my vehicle when no indication af wrongdoing of any kind exists. Using a car or body search as a "fishing expedition" for violations is an insult to the US and Pennsylvania's constitution. Just as the hunting population has its bad eggs, The PGC has it's rogue officers. The constitution is worded the way it is to protect the innocent from undue harassment by those loose cannons.

I have no problems with a WCO checking my lisence and ID at my vehichle,which is the only time I've ever had it happen.I would have a problem with one searching my vehicle for no reason or approaching meat my treestand,which has never happened.

I know of 5 different WCO's that have districts around the areas where I hunt in this part of the state.All but one have good reputation.I've never had a dealing with the one in question so I'm forced to give him the benefit of the doubt.I do know a deputy that works for him and he's a good guy.All of the WCO's that I personally know arefine examples of dedicated law enforcement.

"All of the WCO's that I personally know arefine examples of dedicated law enforcement."

If that's the case, why do you have a problem "with one searching my vehicle for no reason or approaching meat my treestand,which has never happened."

I don't have a problem because it's never happened.

That's right, I forgot that your "friends" with 4 out of the 5 Game wardens in your area.

I'll guarantee you that any of my "friends" would still bust me in a heartbeat ifI broke the law.That's their jobbut I've never been harrassed or treated badly by any of them,even before I got to know them.

Maybe I'm just lucky to live whereI do.We have excellent land managers that work hard to improve the habitat on SGL's.We have great WCO's that are actually nice guys.We have thousands and thousands of acres of public land with plenty of game.Despite all the belly-aching that I hear going on around here,I can't think of one thing to complain about.Sorry if that offends anyone.

Fair enough, and I dont doubt for a minute that your friends would bust you if you broke the law. But ,on the other hand, I'm sure you'd agree that it is highly unlikely that you would experience one of these abusive situations when the officers you are likely to encounter in the field are your friends.