SD Game Checkpoint issues 147 citations in 24 hours!

[Duckslayer100]

Some people's kids... http://www.mitchellrepublic.com/outdoors/hunting/3884128-24-hour-game-stop-nabs-147-violations

Aside from the dingleberries that were caught chucking their pheasants out of the window pre-check, this was my favorite:

In another instance, Alban said someone hunting deer who was traveling from Wyoming had six of his nine deer untagged. The animals were seized and the hunter was cited.

 

[H82bogey]

While I'm totally onboard with stuff like this, someday, someone is going to complain about the check points. Just like what people do with DUI checkpoints. Unless someone is being suspected of committing a crime, they don't have any authority to just stop a motorist from traveling.

 

[guywhofishes]

holy cow!!!

 

[Lycanthrope]

I wonder if they were just untagged, or if they were actually poached.... That makes a difference IMO.

 

[SDMF]

While I'm totally onboard with stuff like this, someday, someone is going to complain about the check points. Just like what people do with DUI checkpoints. Unless someone is being suspected of committing a crime, they don't have any authority to just stop a motorist from traveling.

Not sure about SD, but MT regs make it mandatory to stop if you've been or are going hunting:

All hunters and anglers are required by law to stopas directed at all designated check stations ontheir way to and from hunting and fishing areas,even if they have no game or fish to be checked.

It'd be easy enough to have the check @ a rest-stop like they did then have a LEO on an overpass looking for folks who failed to stop and cars lined up on the off-ramp to chase them down like they do for speed traps over holidays.

 

[KDM]

No mention of "divine bovine" infractions at this game check. However, I do concur with you statement Guy.

 

[Account Deleted]

The libertarian in me really dislikes the idea but cripes are they effective. Overall, I think that most laws are generally respected, traffic, etc. But there is just something about game and fish laws that turn so many people into scoundrels.

 

[H82bogey]

Not sure about SD, but MT regs make it mandatory to stop if you've been or are going hunting:



It'd be easy enough to have the check @ a rest-stop like they did then have a LEO on an overpass looking for folks who failed to stop and cars lined up on the off-ramp to chase them down like they do for speed traps over holidays.

4th Amendment of the US constitution.
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.

Again, I like the idea that poachers and violators get caught. Drives me crazy when I hear about people overharvesting fish or game, but I think just like DUI checkpoints, eventually someone is going to get educated enough to put a stop to these.

 

[KDM]

The libertarian in me really dislikes the idea but cripes are they effective. Overall, I think that most laws are generally respected, traffic, etc. But there is just something about game and fish laws that turn so many people into scoundrels.

Yep!!! I have mixed feelings about this type of thing as well. Making EVERY person traveling on the interstate pay with their time to catch the few knuckleheads that want to take to much game doesn't quite sit square on my radar, but then again I would give up a few minutes of my time to catch these same knuckleheads. So I guess I'll just sit quietly on the sidelines and watch.

 

[Pinecone]

had I known all the wardens were east river nevermind

 

[Duckslayer100]

I agree with the whole leeriness about unwarranted search and seizure, but here's my 2 cents in bulletpoint form:

• This was 147 citations in 24 hours during a game checkpoint magnitude that hadn't been conducted in more than a decade.
• Let's say, for a moment, that's on the high end. Drop it down by 30 percent or so. That's still, on average, 100 citations a DAY during the hunting season that go unnoticed.
• This tells me poachers have NO fear of getting caught because they, more than likely, DON'T get caught.
• Western states are severely understaffed when it comes to field COs, thus it's easy to get away with shooting a few extra birds or shooting deer and just banking a tag for another day.
• You and I, the good law-abiding hunters, MUST be vigilant end report any and all suspicious activity. That's realistic the only way these bozos will get caught because the state and federal agencies simply don't have the resources to police OUR outdoors as thoroughly as they should.

Or am I completely off my rocker

 

[Account Deleted]

I agree with the whole leeriness about unwarranted search and seizure, but here's my 2 cents in bulletpoint form:

• This was 147 citations in 24 hours during a game checkpoint magnitude that hadn't been conducted in more than a decade.
• Let's say, for a moment, that's on the high end. Drop it down by 30 percent or so. That's still, on average, 100 citations a DAY during the hunting season that go unnoticed.
• This tells me poachers have NO fear of getting caught because they, more than likely, DON'T get caught.
• Western states are severely understaffed when it comes to field COs, thus it's easy to get away with shooting a few extra birds or shooting deer and just banking a tag for another day.
• You and I, the good law-abiding hunters, MUST be vigilant end report any and all suspicious activity. That's realistic the only way these bozos will get caught because the state and federal agencies simply don't have the resources to police OUR outdoors as thoroughly as they should.

Or am I completely off my rocker

All good points. I have turned in several blatant violators and educated some not so blatant ones.

 

[Captain Ahab]

Yep!!! I have mixed feelings about this type of thing as well. Making EVERY person traveling on the interstate pay with their time to catch the few knuckleheads that want to take to much game doesn't quite sit square on my radar, but then again I would give up a few minutes of my time to catch these same knuckleheads. So I guess I'll just sit quietly on the sidelines and watch.

Ditto

 

[johnr]

I don't break laws so much, so I don't worry any about game checks, but think stopping every vehicle is a big suck fest

 

[deleted_account]

its unconstitutional. I dont care how many people are caught at these things, as we all know its a slippery slope when you start bending the constitution for feel good reasons.

 

[Kurtr]

If your heading west on hiway 12 during opening of west river deer plan on sunday evening being stopped on west side of the bridge coming into mobridge.

 

[westwolfone]

"It's good with me since I'm not breaking any laws."

I bet a lot of Jews said that while their neighbors were getting hauled off.

Totally against them.

 

[Duckslayer100]

"It's good with me since I'm not breaking any laws."

I bet a lot of Jews said that while their neighbors were getting hauled off.

Totally against them.

Yes, because we all know the Holocaust ultimately began with Hitler's decree to begin widespread game checkpoints...

 

[deleted_account]

why not register guns? if you have nothing to hide and dont break the law we shouldnt care. It will be worth it for those handful that get caught.

 

[Mort]

Reminds me of a checkpoint at the lewis and clark bridge many years ago, I believe around 2000 or so, mind you, 85 S is the only south bound highway getting to williston, I was hunting 3B1, coming home saw all these lghts at the bridge, thinking it may have been an accident...nope...game check. When came my turn, they asked me if I had 'anything'..I said no....they said mind if we check...I said, sure go ahead, check back of truck ( had a camper top at the time) check my rifle. One of the wardens that checked me absolutely couldn't beleive I didn't have any game on me, he was even trying hoax me into telling me where I hide the game...LMAO...if you had game or fish they made you go into the boat ramp parking lot...I saw several trucks sitting in that parking lot...I just chuckled, I'm sure someone got nailed. Since then, they haven't conducted one at that point, just too much traffic during this oil rush. I have no problem with being checked.