Frustrations with KFW

[luvtohunt]

I got checked Saturday night. Left my license in the truck, buddy had his. he checked our boat and everything was up to snuff. We had some jugs out that were labeled. Guy was very nice. He looked up my license by my social and the lady on the other end read it out as I could hear it. We respected him and he respected us. No ticket was given. I did offer to pull anchor and drive the quarter mile down the creek to the ramp to get the license though so that may have been what kept him from writing. not sure but I think it is up to their discretion totally like others have said. Sorry u had a bad experience but know that all KDFW guys aren't that way.

[smashdn]

Zip lock bag. Put your phone in it too.

[Jasonfishin]

They are just doing their job. They have actually seemed relieved the few times they have checked me and I had it.

I printed of several copies which I poor man laminate with good transparent tape. Keep a copy of the pdf on my computer and am able to reprint them when they get nasty.

So many people don't bother to get one so they have to be on the lookout. I have even seen people claim its in their truck and then when the officer volunteered to go with them to retrieve it they ended up getting caught in a lie.

I wish they could get people to follow the regs better but they have a limited budget. I see too many people not following harvesting rules and filling their cooler with all the fish they can carry.

[dericksn11]

I can understand the frustration but I would personally be happy to see game wardens on the creeks more. Being an avid smallmouth fisherman I know and have seen people keeping short fish and over creel limits but theres nothing I can do about it. I want to protect the resources we have in this great state.

[bass2reds]

I can understand the frustration but I would personally be happy to see game wardens on the creeks more. Being an avid smallmouth fisherman I know and have seen people keeping short fish and over creel limits but theres nothing I can do about it. I want to protect the resources we have in this great state.

I don't disagree with this at all. Living in Frankfort, public fishing waters are very limited. And what is here isn't exactly considered good fishing areas. And, just this spring I started fishing for trout stocked into Salato Wildlife area. Just to find something to pull on the line. And just being there a few day I witnessed people taking entire stringers full of trout to their car. When the limit is 10 a person if i remember correctly. I also saw people take out 10' bass and put them on the stringer. All of this happening in the KFW back yard. As their building might be 25 yards from the lake. I have also seen countless times people take out undersized brownies on the elkorn. And this is part of my point. these officers didn't seem to care about what was in my cooler. Even if it was only water, they didn't know that. Could have been 25 8in Smallmouth. This felt a lot more like a speed trap then it did in the name of conservation.

I'm all for protecting the resource for the next generation. But, I don't really know if KFW is. Or if they are more concerned with padding their pockets.

[jcb]

I don't disagree with this at all. Living in Frankfort, public fishing waters are very limited. And what is here isn't exactly considered good fishing areas. And, just this spring I started fishing for trout stocked into Salato Wildlife area. Just to find something to pull on the line. And just being there a few day I witnessed people taking entire stringers full of trout to their car. When the limit is 10 a person if i remember correctly. I also saw people take out 10' bass and put them on the stringer. All of this happening in the KFW back yard. As their building might be 25 yards from the lake. I have also seen countless times people take out undersized brownies on the elkorn. And this is part of my point. these officers didn't seem to care about what was in my cooler. Even if it was only water, they didn't know that. Could have been 25 8in Smallmouth. This felt a lot more like a speed trap then it did in the name of conservation.

I'm all for protecting the resource for the next generation. But, I don't really know if KFW is. Or if they are more concerned with padding their pockets.

If you don't know whether or not KFW is for protecting the resource for the next generation, you need to get to know KFW a little bit better.

[Shellkat]

Never had a bad experience with kfw,most are friendly and very respectfull. My only gripe is they will pick out a fisherman to check over a pleasure boat knowing good and well they are all drinking.

[dericksn11]

I don't disagree with this at all. Living in Frankfort, public fishing waters are very limited. And what is here isn't exactly considered good fishing areas. And, just this spring I started fishing for trout stocked into Salato Wildlife area. Just to find something to pull on the line. And just being there a few day I witnessed people taking entire stringers full of trout to their car. When the limit is 10 a person if i remember correctly. I also saw people take out 10' bass and put them on the stringer. All of this happening in the KFW back yard. As their building might be 25 yards from the lake. I have also seen countless times people take out undersized brownies on the elkorn. And this is part of my point. these officers didn't seem to care about what was in my cooler. Even if it was only water, they didn't know that. Could have been 25 8in Smallmouth. This felt a lot more like a speed trap then it did in the name of conservation.

I'm all for protecting the resource for the next generation. But, I don't really know if KFW is. Or if they are more concerned with padding their pockets.

This is nothing against you just more of an FYI but Elkhorn has a 12"-16" slot so you may keep fish under 12" or over 16". Most other rivers and creeks in ky are 12" min.

[kygorski]

A few years back, on the wolf river side of dale, I was trolling for crappies with small crank baits, then I was hailed by a tn game warden, [ there were two of them].One was determined to write a ticket. I had both fishing permits. They checked my live well, measured one fish[it was legal. I was wearing my PFD, had a cushion. then they asked about my fire extinguisher, it was good. And the then came silly. Where is your emergency paddle? I dont got none, wasn't going to work. But his partner said to let me go, I guess having a 60 hp motor, a 5 hp motor, a bow mount auto pilot, and a 12 volt rear electric motor, was assurance that i could handle an emergency. I fished the cumberland river so many times that the "possum cop" just waved when he saw me.

[smashdn]

Emergency paddle is very important. Never know when you may need it to pop some sense into someone.

[Shellkat]

Second the paddle for attitude adjustments

[robertdilbert]

police/fish and wildlife wardens can be 1 of 2 things.

1. if they were a loser in school, and a now a cop/game warden with power, they are absolute pricks.
2. if the were popular and/or just a normal kid, they are like you and me. out there to do a good job and serve the community.

i've seen this time and time again with kids i went to school with. sounds like you ran into #1.

As far as them checking fishing licenses, i feel like it is not done enough. more presence on the water would be a good thing.

As far as Canoe KY, this year has been a record year for them. i have talked to the co-owner about it and he has had hit record numbers almost every weekend. Unfortunately, he has also turned into a prick. i used their shuttle service almost every weekend last summer and i did the same thing every weekend. get there at 7:15am, unload my kayak, park my car, pay, and grab the 8am shuttle. i was doing that same exact thing this year and got chewed out (2 other people i didn't know did the same thing, and got chewed out) because i didn't go to the public put in float down and shuttle back. they're so busy, there is no room for people who are not renting to park their cars. i understand that they get their main income from rentals, but you bet i won't be using their shuttle service any more.