I remember, fondly. That's the one mentioned earlier in this thread. How are y'all doing?!?
Here's the story:
I get a call at the fishwrapper from a pal about some nonresidents (Indiana, I believe) who were putting the wood to bluegills and shellcrackers at Guntersville in spring ... probably May, although I can't be sure.
My caller ain't happy about it and already has contacted the game warden. They've already been doing a little surveillance and watching these good ol' boys go fishing in the morning -- multiple people in multiple boats -- and bring in a shitpile of fish, fillet them, put them in the upright chest freezer (strapped into the back of their pickup truck!), eat lunch, and then go back in the afternoon for another round.
My pal said he checked one or two really good shellcracker bedding areas and it looked like a vacant moonscape. Y'all know how a good shellcracker bed can be, but it's possible to put a bigtime hurting on it. He was pissed and disappointed.
I get invited to watch the bust. Game warden walks up "undercover" in his greens and boots but with a plaid shirt over his regular shirt (and badge, and gun/belt). Exchanges the "How y'all doins?" and such, and after they start bragging about how well they're doing he asks to see licenses, fish and shows his badge.
No harsh words were spoken, but they looked like puppies being chastised for peeing on the carpet. Not a damn peep out of any of them as the GW is looking through the freezer, counting what he could count and getting his work done.
By this time, my pal and I have walked over. The violators -- nine of them, I believe -- don't know if we're also game wardens or who we are. We didn't say anything to them but talked with the GW. Walked around a little bit. I had my notepad and pen, making notes.
One of the violators walked up and sheepishly asked, "May I go to the bathroom?" Now, this is a group of men probably 55-years old or older, and older. I'm almost that age and God help me if I ever do anything that stupid, because I'd be embarrassed, too.
"Yes," I replied firmly, "but don't go anywhere else and come right back."
I had to walk away to hide my grin, I wanted to laugh so hard.
I think there was something like 256 or 276 counts of being over the limit. Maybe more. It was huge. Their freezer was chocked with bags of fillets. It pissed me off, too.
And I wish more guys were like my pal - vigilant, pissed, disappointed, and ready to contact the GWs to try to get something done. The GWs can't do it all or be everywhere, and can use hunters' and anglers' help when possible. They ain't always the bad guys ... but they want to catch the bad guys.
Last edited by Clem; 12/05/12 11:08 PM.
