Bummer weekend in VA
 

I am first to admit my ignorance is the biggest cause of this, however, I was just wondering what people thought. Last Saturday muzzle came in here in VA so I took Friday off to sit in the woods with my bow before shots starting ringing the woods around me. I've been mostly hunting locally and decided to take a couple hour trip to a place that I've been hunting a few times a year for a very long time. Anyways, Friday night a buddy and I were checking out a new pond that the landowner put in on the property we hunt and on the way out my buddy shined his flash light on one of the fields we hunt. We do this every year and I thought we were good because all I had in my vehicle was a bow with no broadheads and my unloaded blackpowder rifle stillin the bag, which were both in the back of my SUV. That was my first mistake! As soon as we pulled out of the property and on to the main road we were pulled over by a game warden. We didn't know what happened at first because the game warden was in an unmarked car and also not in uniform when he approached are vehicle. We only assumed he was a game warden when he asked for our hunting licenses because he never identified himself or showed us any kind of badge. Well to make an already long story short we both received 3 tickets. One for illegally hunting, another for spotlighting without written permission, and lastly one for spotlighting with a firearm and bow in the vehicle. I was guilty for having the bow in the back of my truck which I was unaware was a violation until I reread the rules book. I did think I was fine with my black powder rifle being in the truck because it was unloaded. What's crazy is I did have written permission to hunt the property, however, when I tried to tell the game warden this he said something about a hunt club hunting the adjacent property and I did not have permission to shine my flashlight on their property. We are talking a 10+ acre field here which my buddies flashlight could never shine across much less reach the adjacent property. Unfortunately everytime I opened my mouth to ask the game warden something he would immediately tell me I was lucky not to be thrown in jail and my truck and weapons taken from me. I'm inclined to try and challenge this in court, however, I know how much power game wardens have here in VA and I do not want my fines to increase because I go to court.

Anyone have any experience with a similar situation which would help me decide if I should go to court or just pay the fines???

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

As a police officer I can tell you that it never hurts you to go to court and tell the judge your side of the story. Now, that doesn't mean youre any more likely to get reduced fines or penalties, but they wont be any stiffer just because you plead "not guilty".

Good luck.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

As a police officer here in Virginia I agree totally with PhoenixMA. Go to court and tell the judge exactly what happened. Ignorance is not excuse, butit can mitigate the circumstances of the incident in the judges mind and that could help reduce the fine.

Now, the conduct of the game warden in not identifying himself is just not proper. In Virginia, you must display your badge of authority to enforce your law enforcement power. Game Wardens arelaw enforcement officers underVirginia code. What you do with this information is up to you.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

Thanks for the thoughts PhoenixMA & tray999. The landowner is a well known attorney in town and I assume knows the judges well. He was out of town hunting in CO when the incident occured and just returned home this past weekend. My buddy and I plan to ask his advice when we see him over Thanksgiving.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

I would have a real problem with the fine for shining on the adjacent property. Sounds like he was trying to protect someones hunting club! However, I do have a similar story to tell. It happened here in VA.

My neighbors were driving to different areas and using night vision googles to look at deer. They pulled up into a wide spot in the road and were looking at a few deer. They noticed that one of them was acting "funny". They finally figured out that it was the dreaded robodeer. They all had a good laugh; becasue they were not breaking any laws by not using a spotlight. Well, they watched it for a while and decided to drive on up the road. And, you guessed it they got company. The warden pulled them over, and told them they were spotlighting because their headlights brushed the field when they pulled out of the wide spot! Now the only weapons they had in their possession was a pocket knife and a baseball bat. If you can show me someone who could kill a deer in the middle of field at night with either one you better have it on film or elseI won't believe it!

They went to court, but the judge upheld the spotlighting charge. So, it looks like you may be able to beat the aforementioned charge of shining on adjacent property, but not the other charges. Good Luck!

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

that sucks. when you go to court you will probably be convicted of at least one offense. please make sure that for the next 3 years that you uphold every hunting rule. if you get a second citation within a 3 yr period--you will lose your hunting license for 1 year.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

Thanks for the info o2be. I'm not planning on breaking any regs, however, I was not aware of the 3 year "thing". And yes, it did suck!

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

dakine - what county did this happen in?

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

I, too, received a ticket in Virginia.... It was several years ago during the off season. I was driving through Yorktown battlefield and swept a field with my headlights to look at the several hundred deer in the field. I was pulled over by park police and cited for "harrassing wildlife".

Anyone know what happened to the Yorktown herd? You don't see many deer in those fields anymore.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

Pearl Jam -- I was hunting in Gretna in Pittsylvania county. My court date is in Chatham.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

go to court

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

:DYou know what they always say.......your're guilty untill proven innocent!:D:D

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

Va game wardens can and will screw with anyone they want. Really burns me up,they get no respect from me because no matter what you are doing,they treat you as if you are out to break every rule in the book.

I have had them stop me and check my gun,my license,my deer and finding nothing wrong,they then grill me on where I was hunting,when did I get there,did I shoot at any other deer,just crazy stuff...

I know they have a job to do,but anybody who has ever run into a VA game warden knows that they think they are god ol mighty...

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

I couldnt agree w/ u more POCO. I have also had too many encounters with the a**holes. I got ticketed a few years back for hunting w/out permission. I had permission complete with a signed slip from the landowner. Never made it to court. Thrown out. This was a single warden that has harassed us for years and still does every chance he gets. I really do hate that man and all wardens for that matter. No matter if I am hunting or fishing they will pull up just to harass you. They have a job to do yes ,but if i went to my job every day and was cocky and hot headed i wouldnt have a job long. Degrees in criminal justice and publicadmin tell me my rights and I always point them out to the pricks when theyscrew with me.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

I would rather have the game wardens being a little more strict than lenient in my area. As long as you aren't breaking the rules, they can't fault you for anything. If you witness someone breaking the laws on your property, they would be the first ones that you call. We need strict game wardens to come down hard on the ones who do poach. I agree that you should go to court and tell your story. That is why we have the judge, so he can decide if what you did is right or wrong and whether you should be punished, but the game wardens are doing hunting as a whole a big favor by trying to uphold the laws for us. Hopefully you will shake this experience off and become able to work with the game wardens if you need their help. I am not a game warden, just respect their work.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

Well thats your opinion tristan. I do not agree with it but hey its a free country. Im guessing you have not had problems with them before. Maybe there just a problem down here east of richmond. I dont know how they treat people in other areas of va.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

[:@]This is not just a problem in Va.it's nation wide,but it's not all wardens.Some of them are real good guys,some are rejects from the police academy that just couldnt cut it as REAL cops so they just looked for something where they could carry a gun.You can always go file a complaint form with the probate office,then you have a leg to stand on later if you end up in court on a bogus charge.We had a "cop" in our area writing bad ticket's went through all the "proper" chanels and now we dont.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

As a VA law enforcement officer(not a game warden), I must respond to some of these latest game warden "bashing" threads. I have known and worked with some darn fine wardens here in VA and know others in TN and NC. These men have an extremely challenging and dangerous job. Many times they are forced to work alone, and in remote areas. Sometimes back up can be up to an hour away, if there is any back up. I'm sure there are some wardens who are jerks, just as there are jerks in all walks of life. But to lump all VA Game Wardens as jerks or whatever is just not right.


I can't speak for other states, but VA game wardens are not "rejects." Many are former local, state, military and correctional officers and have been through more than one law enforcement academy.

Sorry for the rant, it is now time for me to go hunting!:)

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

Consider a pocket tape recorder when ''Rosco'' acts up again.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

It takes a big pair to go up to people in remote areas who have guns and arent afraid to break the law and dont know a thing about ethics. I've only run accross a GW officer here in Henrico once, he was pretty cool and could have given me a ticket for fishing in a closed park (I didnt know this park closed since it was a boat landing, honest mistake ). He let us go and I have never gone back since. They have a tough job and normally deal with jerks. I have found you need to be very understanding with the police and GW. It doesnt help every time but most.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

Whatever....the way i see it take of the badge drop thegun and aspand lets see who has the big pair as you say jestan. This past weekend we were "checked" again. Been hunting same piece for years. Jerk knows were legal. Gives guys a hard time for shooting young deer, hey dont know about yall but I hunt for meat not trophys. Even thoughi got plenty on the walls. I plan to report him and file a complaint.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

Well I finally asked my lawyer buddy I mentioned earlier whom also happens to be the property owner what he thought about all this. He says that I may be able to get out of two of the three tickets, however, depending on what mood the judge is in, the fine could still be 3 tickets worth in amount. My court date isn't until the season is over in late January so I'm not too sure if this is good or bad.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

From What you've said, I believe you'll be found guilty. Ignorance is no excuse. Is this a MA or do you have the option of paying the fine? If you can pay, I believe I would take the high road on this one and not $#@up for 3 years. I shot a nice 8 or10 on Friday that crossed the fence to an adjacent Property. Iwent to ask the landowner for permission to retrieve which is the law. He would not grant it so as far as I know The deer is stll laying there. What a magnificent waste!

Brad

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

i have people spotlight deer in my yard ever week from oct to jan the shot at the deer a most of the miss but some of the get on but the do no get the deer becouse i run out side and shine the light on them and they don't come back after the deer i have called all kinds of officers even called the game wardens about it they telll me ever time they will come by the house to talk to me some time this week about it well that week has never come i have a pole light on in my yard all the timebut that don't stop them from shooting at the deer in my yardit kind of scarey because i only live 75 yards from the road game wardens don't care about us the just want to give tickets to the good gaysi would like to get this stop be for i take maters in my on hands this isn't right that the bame wardens will not come to stop some one tell me what to do about it

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

shoot back at spot lights. when wardens come tell them you took care of it and to get off your property.

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

Eastern va,

Do you really think anyonewill take you seriously posting crap like that?

baerstopper,

I hope you do not listen to the above post from Eastern va. Go to the local sheriff's office and speak with the sheriff or contact the supervisor at the regional vdgif office. Have your dates and times of when you called and who you talked to. I would really be suprised if you did not get results. Be polite and calm but make sure they understand you are serious andfeel like you are being given the old "run around."

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

i have already called them the said they would be oversome time this week to fill a report that was 3 weeks ago i've called the game warden ,sherffs ,and the foresty warden no body wants to talk to you about it

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

That is why I recommendedin my previous postgoing to the sheriff in person and explaining your problem. I would give him the dates, times and names of the officers you spoke with who stated they would come fill out a report. Just curious, but when you contacted the game wardens and the sheriff's office, how did you contact them? Did you call 911or did you call the local office?

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

im telling you they dont care. all they want to do is bother people and write their tickets just like most cops. Va hunter you gotta prob with how i would handle things just keep them to yourself. the man ask what people would do i told him what i would do. im done. good luck BAER..

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

Eastern va,

Last time I checked this was a public message board. If you do not like people posting replies to your posts then there is a very simple solution. Do not post!I am entitled to my opinionjust as you are entitled to yours. I'm sure if we took a poll, you would find that the vast majority of people would not recommend for someone to "shoot back at spotlights."

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

the sheriefff came out here the first time but didn't wright up a report because we didn't get a tage # and he said he would up call the game wardenhe didn't want to wright a report up but i noww you got good ones and bad ones

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

I agree with you 100%. There are a lot of nice conservation officer's nation wide that are there to enforce our game laws. Those are the guys that understant an honestmistake. The are doing a job that they enjoy. The ones that wait for hours thinking you don't have a deer tag,then get p----- off when you do and give you a ticket for something else. This happened to me in Kendall Co. Illinois in 1984.Or,go up to deer stands and make hunters get down to check their deer tags.Or, try to take a gun from someones before they have time to hand it to them. This happened to some other guys the same season. Since then this warden has calmed down some. ''He is getting older.'' His gun doesn't respond like it used to. P.S. I was born and raised in S. West Virginia. I left in 72. Can someone recommend good areas for grouse or deer?

RE: Bummer weekend in VA
 

Well, speaking as a law man myself. Some of you are just plain childish. What's with all the Law bashing going on in here. It's not easy work. There are jerks in every occupation. Some of us hate writing tickets. I can't stand writing tickets. About the quality of people working as wardens. In most states it's damn hard getting a job. Most get put on a list and wait 2-3-4 yrs, not to mention a 4yr degree.So please stopbashing someone who has worked hard to get where they are, and is doing his/her job. You bash them you bash me, Not Cool!