Re: calling all DOW rangers!(fish cops)
What do you specifically want to know about? I don't advertise it much, because it's only a part time gig, but I'm involved in the water patrol in my conunty. Not with the DNR, but the sheriff's office. DNR guy has a huge territory and checking fishing licenses is one of many duties he performs.
Most LE aren't a very open group of people- other than with other LE. You really have to get to know them and gain their trust and respect before you get much out of them. I've seen all sorts of idiocy on our local lakes, one imparticular is very popular and crowded in the summer. We're mostly about saftey- typical duties are stopping violators who are operating recklessly- blowing thru no wake zones, pontoon boats using docking lights as headlites at night, jet skis operating after dark, watching for BUI's. Typical stop would involve checking registration, life jacket/preserver count, horn works, fire extinguisher charged at reachable, stuff like that. Typically we issue warnings to first timers unless they're really blatant violators or operating very recklessly. And trying to keep the drunks from operating watercraft that's really challenging on water- field sobriety test on a boat. We deal with rude, obnoxious people, body recovery (boat crashes, drownings, etc.), all while trying to protect everyone and not get injured while on duty. It's a rather thankless job sometimes, so it's easier just to keep quiet than id yourself as a cop and have everyone complain about getting cited for speeding and how horrible their encounters with the law have been. Kinda like a doctor at a party- everyone comes up and asks them about all their aches and pains.
Starting to get the picture of why now? I do have many stories and have seen some pretty scary stuff, and a lot of extremely funny stuff. Ask me about naked guy some day.
