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Post by Mike C. on Aug 11, 2016 9:35:17 GMT -5
I'm not trying to stir the pot here, so don't jump down my throat, I just want to see if others have this experience too... I pretty much have been hassled by a park ranger every single time I'm at this lake, at least the past 4 or 5 times over a couple years. I got a ticket for my canoe registration being out of date (it expired end of june, got ticketed July 3rd), I got a ticketed another time because I was drinking a beer (I know, I know, but I'm freaking 35, I'm not a teenager and I certainly wasn't making a ruckus, apparently someone saw and tattled on me). The other times they just wanted to check my fishing license, and another time checking for my life vests. I let a friend borrow my canoe one time and she got ticketed here because she left the life vests in the car. I have talked to a few others who have had similar experiences. I understand you need to follow the rules, and they are making revenue by ticketing people, but it seems kinda harsh. I love this lake, but I won't even go here anymore. It seems like they are looking for reasons to ticket people, if your license is valid then they want to check your cooler to see what else you might be doing wrong. I fish all the area lakes, MC, FC, but this has only ever happened to me here. I also know someone who's car got broken into here, and no one was ever arrested for it, so you can get away with stealing from cars but god forbid you have a beer while you're fishing. My point is, at what point does being a stickler for the rules become discouraging people from coming to the lake? I am beyond done with this lake.
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Post by me on Aug 11, 2016 10:13:07 GMT -5
Follow the rules and you have no worries. Registration out dated...get a new one. It's not rocket science.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 11, 2016 11:27:21 GMT -5
I for one am glad the Rangers are down there. I have had many great conversations with them over the past several years. Quite honestly; if you are following all of the rules you have nothing to worry about. Imagine their jobs; running around the lake having to check if everyone complies. And then when they don't they argue with the Rangers about it. I'm surprised these folks are as nice as they are dealing with all the BS they have to. Do you know how many people shore fish on the lake without a license? It's a heck of a lot cheaper to buy a license than it is to get the fine but yet people still try to get away with it every year and then argue when they get caught. It's well know that you aren't allowed to have alcohol out on the lakes here; would I love to bring a 6-pack along with me; SURE WOULD! but it's not allowed so I never have. As far as the registration on the canoe; bottom line is it expired; where do you draw the line as far as letting it go. It's clearly stated on the sticker and you always get the renewal in the mail so if it expired; that's on you.....not on the Rangers. So not trying to be a jerk but it sounds like each time you received a ticket or fine you were in the wrong. I know I always comply 100% so I welcome them to stop by for a check and a little chat.
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Post by redman on Aug 11, 2016 11:51:05 GMT -5
100% echo Frogmans response.
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Post by Harry Miles on Aug 11, 2016 12:22:48 GMT -5
The rangers are doing their job. You got caught (multiple times) not following the rules. You are not special. Follow the rules.
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Post by Mike C. on Aug 11, 2016 12:41:56 GMT -5
I understand I was outside the limits of the rules, but the times I was withing the rules I still do not feel like I need to be confronted by park rangers, and they were NOT nearly as friendly to me as they apparently are to you guys. I don't know, I am from Colorado, out there it's much more relaxed, if you're not making a mess or being a jerk no one pays you any mind. Here I feel like I'm being watched when I'm fishing, even if I am following the rules it kind of takes away from the experience and being able to relax to me is whole point of fishing. I don't know, sorry guys, Colorado is VERY different.
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Post by Mike C. on Aug 11, 2016 15:07:17 GMT -5
You know what, you guys are right. After thinking about this for a couple hours, I can see the difference between here and CO- the rangers don't need to be really policing people in colorado because there's never 1000 people at the lake at once. There's just not the volume of people. There are probably more people at marsh creek on a saturday than lived in my entire town where I grew up. Its just kind of a culture shock for me. I have NEVER heard of anyone being cited for drinking beer in a state park in colorado, save for maybe teenagers. In fact I can remember having a conversation, beer in hand, with a park ranger and I don't think either of us thought twice. So yes, I guess I never really thought about it, but I can see the difference and I guess I can understand why it's like that here. But man, you guys should all go fishing out west at least once, you can fish in peace and quiet and be the only person for miles. No teenage kayak armadas either.
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Post by Harry Miles on Aug 11, 2016 16:15:40 GMT -5
Most the rangers in the area are nice folks. They'll float by, ask the basics (life jackets, licenses) and keep on going once you show them. They'll remember you as well, so after a couple times, is usually just a friendly wave and "how's the fishing?".
There are a lot of people on the local lakes and there are plenty that they need to deal with that are over their limit keeping fish, don't have licenses, etc.
Chambers is the best lake around, its not generally as crowded as the others and we usually see the rangers there once or twice a month (we're there every weekend). Its quite peaceful before 7am or so. I recommend checking it out in the off-peak hours and I think you'll find the relaxation you're looking for.
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Post by Mike C. on Aug 11, 2016 16:44:06 GMT -5
Thanks for the tip Harry, I may have to try that. I do think it's the best lake around. I get it about following the rules, I was mostly miffed that someone called and ratted on me about drinking a beer. I'm sure that's the law in Colorado too but it's not one they enforce so I wasn't even thinking about it, stupid I know. But out there the park rangers are looking for illegal hunters, trappers, kids shooting guns in the woods, etc. Here I guess the big state park offenses are being unlicensed or over your bag limit. It's just something I never really thought about.
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blink
Junior Member
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Post by blink on Aug 11, 2016 18:03:13 GMT -5
Lets see if I get this. You want to be on the lake with an expired registration, drink beer, and not have a life jacket on board and you think this is OK ? I only have one thing to say - GOOD RIDANCE !!!!
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Post by Mike C. on Aug 12, 2016 9:43:38 GMT -5
No Blink, I think you are missing my point. So no, you don't get it. I don't want to do any of those things. My question was really if the rangers seem more prevalent at this lake than others. For the record, my canoe is always registered except the one time, I am always licensed, and honestly where I grew up I don't think anyone goes fishing without bringing beer. If you grew up thinking that this is how fishing is, I feel bad for you. Get out west and do some fishing there.
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Post by Mike C. on Aug 12, 2016 10:10:40 GMT -5
In addition to living in Colorado I moved around the country (and overseas) a bit when I was in the military and have fished almost everywhere I went. I have never been anywhere where something as benign as FISHING is policed as heavily as it is around here. And I'm really surprised that everyone here is 100% on board with that, but I guess if that's how it's always been and you guys are used to it. But I do understand that this area is so congested if they weren't policing us the lakes would be trashed. It's a shame.
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Post by Didymo on Aug 12, 2016 14:57:44 GMT -5
It's an outrage that you got a ticket. I mean all you did was break the rules. Bunch of jack-booted thugs!
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Post by Mike C. on Aug 12, 2016 15:21:02 GMT -5
Well I didn't realize everyone here was such a goody two-shoes. Enjoy your fishing under the watchful eye of Big Brother.
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Post by Loghomebuilder on Aug 12, 2016 21:06:36 GMT -5
Mike C- I feel you on this bro. Im from texas and yeah pa is VERY strict about drinking. Takes a little getting used to. The PA folks don't realize the other 90% of the country don't have to deal with the weird liquor laws. In texas it aint fishin if you aint drinkin a beer! Hell you can drive with an open container! Not that I recommend it. But here they treat you like a criminal for having a beer. It sucks you got busted but I aint suprised, they do take it seriously. I'm sure you aint the only one out there drinking beers, I think people don't wanna fess up to it on the forum
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