Dove hunting situation

[coach]

Took out a group of hunters this past weekend they dove hunted during the day and we hog hunted in the evening. Well got a call that the warden was in the ranch, I didn't worry cause I checked everyones license when they came in. We were in the back corner of the ranch hunting a water hole. The wardens came in checked everyones license and bag limit everyone was ok. Then one pulled the crop off the bird and told the hunter he was gonna give them a verbal warning for hunting to close to the feeders. Well the closest feeder was at least 800yds away and was only a protein feeder. I guess I got a little testy with him and spoke out loud told him last time I heard they were migratory birds and probably came in from feeding? I mean really was this necessary or was he just being a horses azz. Can anyone clarify the law for me?

[airduster29]

sounds like he was prying for info and maybe a little horses arse to

[grunterhunter8]

There is no specific distance stated regarding hunting over bait. So even if the feeders were 800 yards away you could have still received a ticket. As long as the birds are flying to or from an unnatural bait source it is illegal to shoot them. I say you are lucky no one got a ticket, especially after you got testy. Federal GW would have put the hammer down.

[dub]

I would disagree. It says "hunting over a baited feild." I don't know a shotgun that can shoot 800 yards. Plus protien feeders are not for doves and neither is corn. Man I would take that ticket just to get the Game Warden on the stand. I ran into a real piece of work DPS officer once. I had so much fun with him in court even the judge was mad at him. They can do what they want in the field but they can really lose respect from prosecuters, the judges, and their fellow officers. The only way though is to go to court and point out just how much of jerk they are. In Texas judges are elected by the people. The last thing they want is some Rambo cop making the people mad.

I would contact my state representatives for clarification to clarify the law. Be sure to include the Game warden's name. I would do it by email. Then print out the email and keep it in your truck. I did that once because a cop was giving warning tickets to people that had not broken the law. When I pulled a copy of the email from my representative he changed his tone real fast.

[DSmith]

As a rule of thumb, GWs rarely allow any leeway to a hunter/fisherman, hence their reputation.  To most of them, there is only black and white when it comes to the law, no gray area, no exceptions. 
I personnally wouldn't advise testing them in the field.  Worse case scenario, you lose the ordeal and take a chance on losing your hunting/fishing privileges for life. 

In the case mentioned above, just smile, inquire as to what the law is in regards to feeders, then nod and say "I didn't realize that, thanks for letting me know, Sir." 

Then, as he drives away, you can call him an "a^%hole!"      And you go back to hunting.   

[2Kranch]

 

In the case mentioned above, just smile, inquire as to what the law is in regards to feeders, then nod and say "I didn't realize that, thanks for letting me know, Sir."  

Then, as he drives away, you can call him an "a^%hole!"      And you go back to hunting.  

easier said then done when hes bein a Ahole

[DSmith]

I understand and I agree, but the alternative can be expensive, ruin your hunt, get your wife PO'd at you, etc, etc.....  to me, not worth it.   Arguing with a GW in the field is a losing proposition, if you must, do it in a court room.  Just my 2 cents.....

[cantexduck]

Dub, you are wrong. To or from a bait. Up to the warden to decide. Just like with a cop, if you run your mouth you deserve what you get.

[dub]

To be clear I never run my mouth to any law enforcement. I leave all the rudeness up to them. I only say yes sir/mam and no sir/mam. I did pull the email out for the DPS officer but I let him read it so he could clarify things for me.

Run your mouth go to jail. I don't mind getting a ticket but I do not want five seconds in jail. If the person is a jerk let them be a jerk. But only be respectful. I may be wrong so that is why I only make phone calls when the LEO is gone. If you are rude then you just give them a reason to be a jerk. But people that know me know I would never be rude to any LEO.

What I am saying is to be nice to the Game Warden. They can make life real hard for you if not. Then contact your representative for clarification. If I got a bad ticket I do not mind fighting it. But it is easier to avoid the ticket and get things cleared up to ensure proper compliance with the laws.

cantexduck you are right. But I do not believe protein feeders are bait for doves. There are too many doves out there to use bait for doves. I could see geese or maybe ducks but doves? I think the GW was being a jerk. I have had gotten along with almost every Game Warden I met. Only one did I make a smart comment to and later he appologized to me. I keep my mouth shut unless I know they are completely wrong and they are being rude at the same time. I carry my book in my truck. So when I am told something that I either think is wrong or I just don't remember I ask to look in the book. I have found that evrytime I have done this the Game Warden seemed to appriciate that I cared about following the law and they were happy to show me. I also imediatly unlad any weapon and put it down as soon as I see a Game Warden. I think they also like that I show them that respect.

They have a job to do. I do not get upset about a mistake. I just ask to be treated with some level of respect. But I do my best to stay respectful at all times no matter how rude they may be. The one I that was a total jerk I stayed calm and respectful the whole time. I also stay respectful in the court and let them be a jerk all on their own. Otherwise I am not just as bad I am worse.

[DSmith]

Dub, don't take my comments as offensive, merely as advice, and they certainly weren't intended to be taken as an accusation.   

[dub]

No problem kemmercurs. I just don't want to sound like I argue with law enforcement. I do believe that most are good people just like most of us. It helps me to stay calm to know that they do not get the final word the judge does. So I do not need to argue no matter how wrong they are. But I also know there are some people that have no business with a badge. When I was discharged I had several agencies try to recruit me. I did not think it was a good fit for me. I can be honest and say that I would not be good in law enforcement. But some people are not honest about themselves. Those are the people that I have a problem with.

I like dogs much better than people.

[MAV]

thats a bunch of bs come on so if you have deer feeders on your lease you cant hunt a tank in the same field. most men in the green uniforms and the men driving the black and whitecars on the highways think they are above the law. cant stand them but there are a few that just do their job but most think they are better people than most.

[treeingratterrier]

Took out a group of hunters this past weekend they dove hunted during the day and we hog hunted in the evening. Well got a call that the warden was in the ranch, I didn't worry cause I checked everyones license when they came in. We were in the back corner of the ranch hunting a water hole. The wardens came in checked everyones license and bag limit everyone was ok. Then one pulled the crop off the bird and told the hunter he was gonna give them a verbal warning for hunting to close to the feeders. Well the closest feeder was at least 800yds away and was only a protein feeder. I guess I got a little testy with him and spoke out loud told him last time I heard they were migratory birds and probably came in from feeding? I mean really was this necessary or was he just being a horses azz. Can anyone clarify the law for me?

What was in the crop that made him suspect somebody was hunting over a baited area???  Kinda off sounding to me, there is not a milo seed or corn seed anywhere down here right now, only way a dove could get corn or milo was from a spin feeder or from tailgate feeder, he prob assumed or suspected since you had a lot of hunters and were hog hunting as well with the same group that you might be trying to pull a fast one by baiting up the tank area and saying its just a protein feeder, protein feeder can toss anything put in it, or maybe he was just pumping for a confession, you never know, I have seen idiot dove hunter bait a tank on semi guided weekend hunts and almost get the ranch in trobule, dumbass idiot had bought maize and left the sacks in plain view in his car back seat after walking around the tank dam slinging it out by hand, they have to assume everybody might be doing it and test everbody to keep all in line, biggest thing on guided hunts for dove were idiots comingling dove on a tailgate and not keeping them seperate and unplugged shotguns brandnew from Accademylol    Bet he was fishing for a confession???  I cant stand most game wardens, were they feds or state wardens, makes a difference too as some dont even know when grain season runs or if there is a grain feild close by with standing corn in it or milo, corn will stand usally until nov or dec down here if hogs dont get it first???