water patrol harassing fisherman

[artcarney_agr]

I agree with everybody else ...Let the drunk wakeboarders , and party boaters , who blair their welfare music loud enough to knock the pond scum off your boat be....We the fisherman need to be checked over and over again because we are the threat. By golly what if you didnt have a whistle or a horn , things could get way out of control from us who love and appreciate the outdoors........The more I think about it I think the Federal Gov. should step in and do something about us crazy outdoorsmen.

Why does everyone think that wakeboarders and party boaters are all drunk? Geez what a tough crowd. I wakeboard and like to party too! If I do plan on getting drunk, I have a DD just the same as if I were going to a bar with friends. There are responsible people out there still. Fishermen aren't perfect either and catch their fair share of stereotypes, but by bashing others they really aren't any better than those they bash. The fishing community deserves better than that. Make friends, not enemies.

I was in a bass boat yesterday (Sunday) anchored up by the dam, floating around with beer in hand (in a cup of course); I waved to the game wardens as they went by towards the dam, to which they nicely waved back. They were just checking the guys fishing up by the dam.

It has been my experience that KDFWR will not check unless they have probable cause. Fishing is probable cause, because you may not have a license. Seeing a guy drinking from a whiskey bottle is probable cause, along with unsafe operation, overloading of a boat, or anything else that resembles irresponsible behavior. They don't like checking every boat and will only do so if they feel it necessary. If they cruised through the crowd and saw nothing going on, then why do you feel like they should have been checking regardless? That's just stupid. KDFWR officers need to make the most of their time on the water trying to make the waters and wildlife as safe as possible; checking every boat on the water does not achieve this.

[Swift1]

Why does everyone think that wakeboarders and party boaters are all drunk? Geez what a tough crowd. I wakeboard and like to party too! If I do plan on getting drunk, I have a DD just the same as if I were going to a bar with friends. There are responsible people out there still. Fishermen aren't perfect either and catch their fair share of stereotypes, but by bashing others they really aren't any better than those they bash. The fishing community deserves better than that. Make friends, not enemies.

I was in a bass boat yesterday (Sunday) anchored up by the dam, floating around with beer in hand (in a cup of course); I waved to the game wardens as they went by towards the dam, to which they nicely waved back. They were just checking the guys fishing up by the dam.

It has been my experience that KDFWR will not check unless they have probable cause. Fishing is probable cause, because you may not have a license. Seeing a guy drinking from a whiskey bottle is probable cause, along with unsafe operation, overloading of a boat, or anything else that resembles irresponsible behavior. They don't like checking every boat and will only do so if they feel it necessary. If they cruised through the crowd and saw nothing going on, then why do you feel like they should have been checking regardless? That's just stupid. KDFWR officers need to make the most of their time on the water trying to make the waters and wildlife as safe as possible; checking every boat on the water does not achieve this.

First off I never said all wakeboarders and party boaters are drunk. Secondly Im glad you are a responsible while drunk. I have the pleasure of fishing Taylorsville ( wakeboard capital of the world) and I can tell you from first hand experience that the majority of the ones I see are the most rude , disrespectful people Ive ever had the displeasure of coming in contact with. That being said I understand that its public waters and "to each his own". Also if you have ever had the pleasure of being checked three times in less than a month in your same boat on the same lake by the same officer you might would have different opinions on "probable cause". But I guess getting back to the original point by the original poster is that it would be nice to see our officers give our lovely friends in wake barges some attention to. In all my days on the water I can never recall seeing an officer checking on the Wakeboarders?? Sorry if I came off as bashing , Can we have a group hug now.......

[Bass_King2007]

Boys the problem is they have the badge and the gun and you dont!! they will do what they want when they want too... Yes i dont agree with some things they do but o well tuff titty said the kitty!!

[rudeZ20]

Jarrod well said.

Art, As an FYI if you need a DD while you are boating it is still ILLEGAL! Alcohol on public waters is against the law. Whether you ar drinking it or not.

[artcarney_agr]

Jarrod well said.

Art, As an FYI if you need a DD while you are boating it is still ILLEGAL! Alcohol on public waters is against the law. Whether you ar drinking it or not.

To each his own.

[ResidentCombo]

Noticed the same thing on Laurel This weekend....

[ResidentCombo]

From the LC.com Forum...

This is the whole sentence:
"This department’s agreement with the Kentucky State Police that allows our sworn officers to take enforcement action on violations of statutes other than KRS 150 and KRS 235 will be modified to remove the violations of KRS 189.515(1), Operating ATV on Roadway and KRS 222.202(2), Drinking Alcohol Beverage in a Public Place.

Enforcement action, if necessary, may be taken on all other violations of the Kentucky Revised Statutes"