Driving Off Established Trails

[Shockwave]

Confusing: You can't have a loaded firearm in your vehicle for MOST hunting, but you can shoot furbearers out of a vehicle. What says I'm not deer hunting, but hunting coyotes?

Every hunt turns into a coyote hunt when you see one.

 

[Shockwave]

A long time ago, I didn't draw a tag but my wife and buddy did. My wife was 7 months pregnant and they walked a tree row that ended halfway through a field. I sat in the truck on the other side to watch them. After they got to the end of the tree row I decided to drive through the stubble field to pick them up instead of making them walk the rest of the way or walk back to the other road. One of the farmers from around that area turned me in for driving off an established trail. When I got the call from the game warden I explained that I was not hunting and their hunt was over since they got to the end of the tree row. Needless to say, I was mailed a ticket and paid it. To this day I think I should have fought it in court and I might have won.

 

[fly2cast]

Most of these responses don't address the original question. I happen to have some experience being threatened with a ticket for driving off the road last year when duck hunting. The game warden did not know the laws regarding this either as he told me I was in violation of the law but only gave me a "warning". I wrote his boss to get clarification because I could not find clarification in the rules. This is what I was told: You can drive off the established trails during rifle season only when waterfowl hunting. I suppose this is because people need to drive in fields to set decoys. It is unlawful for any other kind of hunting. What an established trail is can be a little tricky to define but if its there from year to year, has a road of dirt, not grass, it's possible its an established trail. I can't remember the details of the definition. By the way, it was Eric Schmidt that did not know the law regarding this. I find it ironic because he'll write you up for looking at him cross.

 

[ND58201]

Seems like a bullshit law saying where people can drive on the land they own

Their not saying they can’t drive wherever they want on their land. They are saying they can’t shoot public wildlife while driving wherever they want on their land. Pretty simple really

 

[Kurtr]

Their not saying they can’t drive wherever they want on their land. They are saying they can’t shoot public wildlife while driving wherever they want on their land. Pretty simple really

I can understand if the the vehicle is under power and chasing deer shooting out the window but its bullshit not to be able to drive out where ever and sit in the pick up with it stopped and look for deer on land they own and if they see one get out and shoot it. Nothing to do with public wildlife. Its a law wrapped in judgement that is used to give bullshit tickets

 

[Bacon]

Most of these responses don't address the original question. I happen to have some experience being threatened with a ticket for driving off the road last year when duck hunting. The game warden did not know the laws regarding this either as he told me I was in violation of the law but only gave me a "warning". I wrote his boss to get clarification because I could not find clarification in the rules. This is what I was told: You can drive off the established trails during rifle season only when waterfowl hunting. I suppose this is because people need to drive in fields to set decoys. It is unlawful for any other kind of hunting. What an established trail is can be a little tricky to define but if its there from year to year, has a road of dirt, not grass, it's possible its an established trail. I can't remember the details of the definition. By the way, it was Eric Schmidt that did not know the law regarding this. I find it ironic because he'll write you up for looking at him cross.

Funny, cause I only have good things to say about Eric. It’s early in the year and I already have hunter fatigue.

 

[7mmMag]

Funny, cause I only have good things to say about Eric. It’s early in the year and I already have hunter fatigue.

I called the G&F to ask them if I can legally carry a rifle with me while my wife is trying to fill her deer rifle tag. They weren't quite sure of the answer, so they gave me Eric's number. I called him and he explained to me that I can legally carry a rifle if I have a furbears license and that I can't assist (shoot/shoot at) a deer for her. He was very professional and helpful.

 

[Jiffy]

You can legally carry a rifle no matter what!!!

Just don’t shoot at anything you don’t have a license for.

 

[Walleye_Chaser]

Shoot at a deer for someone else?? WTF?!?

 

[Shockwave]

I've had some good experience with Eric, and some bad. He stopped me on a section line one year and asked why I was driving in a field. I advised him I was not in a field and that I was on an established trail. He continued to tell me I was wrong so we drove over to the spot. Once he saw it was an established trail he seemed disappointed he didn't get his big bust. He proceeded to check our rifles and licenses and then went on his way. Not even an apology after being a prick when accusing me of driving in a field and then being wrong. I have had a few run ins with him since and he has been very nice, so maybe he was just having a bad day.

 

[labhunter66]

You can legally carry a rifle no matter what!!!

Just don’t shoot at anything you don’t have a license for.

That is not true. You can not carry the same type of firearm when accompanying a moose, elk, or bighorn sheep licensee. So if they are hunting with a rifle, you can not carry a rifle. You also can not carry a rifle if you are accompanying a youth hunter during the youth season.

 

[7mmMag]

That is not true. You can not carry the same type of firearm when accompanying a moose, elk, or bighorn sheep licensee. So if they are hunting with a rifle, you can not carry a rifle. You also can not carry a rifle if you are accompanying a youth hunter during the youth season.

Correct.

 

[Allen]

I think that what we are all learning here is that one needs to read the proclamation each and every year. I would bet there are a fair number of hunters that haven't read the actual proclamation and regulations in several hunting seasons.

 

[Jiffy]

That is not true. You can not carry the same type of firearm when accompanying a moose, elk, or bighorn sheep licensee. So if they are hunting with a rifle, you can not carry a rifle. You also can not carry a rifle if you are accompanying a youth hunter during the youth season.

Fine me.

Nevertheless thanks for the clarification! It’s important to know!

 

[Ruttin]

That is not true. You can not carry the same type of firearm when accompanying a moose, elk, or bighorn sheep licensee. So if they are hunting with a rifle, you can not carry a rifle. You also can not carry a rifle if you are accompanying a youth hunter during the youth season.

It might be a G&F violation but it sure as hell could not be treated as a criminal offense. I will carry any firearm I want at any time i want in ND and there is not a goddamn thing anyone can do about it. Save me the "gun free zones."

 

[Wally World]

According to the US constitution, Fourth Amendment, law enforcement needs probable cause to justify a search or seizure. Seems this original protection against "unreasonable" searches and seizures has been violated by some law enforcement in the name of protecting animals. Our rights and protections are slowly being eroded by the system as to make it easier for law enforcement to catch law violators. If they check everyone, they encounter including farmers or ranchers out working in their fields, they will make their arrest numbers go way up justifying their tactics.

 

[Eatsleeptrap]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but isn't there implied consent with a hunting license just like a drivers license? When you get a hunters safety number and buy a hunting, fishing or furbearer license, you agree to allow yourself to be checked by wardens when hunting, fishing or trapping?

 

[Wallyworld]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but isn't there implied consent with a hunting license just like a drivers license? When you get a hunters safety number and buy a hunting, fishing or furbearer license, you agree to allow yourself to be checked by wardens when hunting, fishing or trapping?

What about the other people that don't buy hunting or fishing licenses but still get questioned? The only time they stop all vehicles is when they are doing sobriety check points which is also a violation of the fourth amendment. They always tell us it's for our protection and it may be but it is a slow encroachment and erosion of our constitutional rights.

 

[wslayer]

It might be a G&F violation but it sure as hell could not be treated as a criminal offense. I will carry any firearm I want at any time i want in ND and there is not a goddamn thing anyone can do about it. Save me the "gun free zones."

Try that while accompanying a youth and see where that gets ya, Rifle or shotgun. Can't bitch about the ticket they right ya, just saying. What's that teaching the youth.?

 

[Ruttin]

Try that while accompanying a youth and see where that gets ya, Rifle or shotgun. Can't bitch about the ticket they right ya, just saying. What's that teaching the youth.?

It would be teaching the youth that you have a right to bear arms and it shall not be infringed upon. Period.