Game Warden Encounters and Stories

[Alan]

I had a game warden stop by my deer blind last fall. Turns out he was a fellow hunter and we ended up chatting for an hour. Anyone else had a friendly encounter?,Ever had a game warden give you a hard time about your tags? I got stopped once with an expired tag, and it was a tense moment, but he was pretty cool about it in the end.,What's the strangest run-in you've had with a game warden? I once got checked at a fishing hole, and the warden ended up showing me his fishing secret!,My buddy and I were out duck hunting when a game warden showed up. He asked if we had a federal stamp, and my friend just about fainted. Anyone else been caught unprepared?,I had a run-in with a game warden who was super serious about everything. But then he told a hunting joke that had me rolling. Anyone have similar experiences?,Do game wardens have a sixth sense for finding illegal stuff? I once thought I was in the clear but got stopped as soon as I packed up. What happened to you?,Had a funny moment when a warden checked our licenses but ended up sharing the spots where the best fish were biting! Ever had a warden be your ally?,I once got pulled over by a game warden who was more interested in my dog than my license. Anyone else ever had a random distraction that shifted the whole mood?,Ever get checked while you're trying to take a photo of a trophy? I got caught mid-selfie, and the warden laughed. What's your most awkward check?,I remember a warden that checked our gear while we were camping. He ended up giving us better tips for setting up camp. Any humorous tales from these situations?,Does anyone else feel like game wardens have an uncanny ability to show up right when you think you're doing something wrong? We once had a warden pop out of nowhere!,I got checked during a late-night fishing trip, and it was pitch dark! The warden was nice but made me feel a bit nervous for a moment. Who's had a close call?,Ever been so nervous during a check that you completely blanked on your hunting license number? That happened to me once! What's your most embarrassing moment?,Had a game warden praise my hunting setup but warned me to be careful with my tags. Have any of you gotten good advice during your checks?,What's your take on game wardens? I know they're just doing their job, but sometimes I feel like I'm under a microscope. Any opinions or experiences?,Got my license checked while out hunting with my son. The warden was really nice and even shared tips on where to find the best deer. Anyone had a positive experience?,I always thought game wardens were intimidating until I met one who turned out to be a great guy. Ever had your perception changed during an encounter?,I was once checked after a long day fishing, and the warden ended up giving me a new bait suggestion. Did anyone else get good tips from a warden?,Ever been in a sticky situation with a game warden? I almost got a ticket for having a line out after hours once. How did you navigate it?,What's the wildest story you have about encountering a game warden in the field? I once saw one chasing down a renegade raccoon while checking our licenses.,Was out on a boat and got stopped by a warden. They were super laid back but asked some surprisingly detailed questions. Anyone else feel grilled sometimes?,Anyone ever had a game warden show up while you were processing your catch? I once had a warden come right at the moment I was quite the mess!,I thought it would be just a normal check until the warden asked for a photo of our biggest fish. Anyone else caught off guard by such requests?,Ever been checked and realized a minor detail was off with your gear? I got lucky once and ended up being let off with a warning. What about you?,Do you think game warden checks are getting more common? I've had a couple this season that felt unusual. What are you all experiencing?,Have you ever had an encounter with a warden that turned into a full-blown discussion about hunting ethics? I am curious about what everyone thinks on these topics.,I was in the woods when a game warden showed up for a routine check. He ended up giving me a detailed tutorial on tracking deer. Anyone else learned something valuable?,Ever had a game warden advise you on local poaching issues? I was surprised to learn so much during one of my checks. Anyone else feel enlightened?,I met a game warden who also happened to be a veteran. The stories he shared were incredible. Ever been inspired by an encounter with a warden?,Has anyone had a game warden show up unexpectedly at a hunting party? I had one crash a cookout and ended up joining us for lunch!,I once got checked by a warden who was a total grouch, but then he cracked a smile when I told him a hunting joke. Anyone experienced a similar shift?,Ever had a warden compliment your gear? I had one give me props for my rifle setup. Has anyone else felt appreciated during a check?,What's the funniest excuse you've heard from someone when being checked by a warden? I once heard a guy say he was hunting mice. Still laughing about that!,I got checked while trying to lure a deer with a call. The warden couldn't help but chuckle. Any amusing run-ins like that?,One time a warden showed up while we were arguing about who had the bigger fish. He just rolled his eyes and reminded us to keep it civil. What's your story?,Ever been checked and thought you were in trouble, but it ended up being nothing serious? I had a close call once that turned into a good laugh.,What's the most intense encounter you had with a game warden? Mine was during duck hunting season when I had to explain my decoy setup!,I got checked in a remote location, and it turned out the warden was an old friend. We reminisced more than he inspected. Ever run into someone you know?,Anyone else feel a bit jittery when a warden pulls up? I swear my heart races every time! What's your feeling during these checks?,Ever had a warden ask you a random question that took you completely off-guard? One asked me about my favorite hunting place, and I blanked!,Have you ever had a warden burst your bubble about a hunting area? I once found out my favorite spot was a no-go area right after getting checked.,I was fishing when a warden approached, and I thought for sure I was in trouble. Turns out he just needed directions. What are your check stories?,Got stopped for a license check after not seeing a fellow hunter for a while. We ended up reminiscing about old hunting days with the warden!,Anyone ever end up getting a citation due to a misunderstanding with a warden? I once almost got a ticket for not having my license on me but got lucky.

 

[Old Slater]

My two uncles and a few were heading up to Pocahontas County back in 86 to hunt. As soon as they got off of the Scenic Highway and turned onto US 219, they ran over an 8-point buck. This was on Sunday evening and it was snowing hard and very cold. The buck was still alive under the truck. So, the other vehicle went down to Marlinton to call a game warden to see what to do. The game warden told them to shoot it with a 22 and check it in as a bow kill and go on to their hunt (rifle season). Upon returning to southern WV a well-known game warden that was a go-getter (we called him "Too Tall" back then) pulled up behind them and turned on the blue lights because he saw antlers in a truck in a county that has no rifle hunting. Now "Too Tall" was very serious about his job protecting the game in his county and if you looked guilty, he would find out if you are guilty. He asks about the buck and one of the occupants says. "Yeah, I had to shoot that ther buck with a 22 pistol". I think he had them all spread em out LOL. After some careful explaining about what happened he called it in and the game warden in Pocahontas County corroborated their story and straightened things out.

Bob