Conversation with Game Rangers

[Ray Ford]

This past week end, while minding my tables at one of the many gun shows in Tulsa, I had a chance to speak with two Oklahoma game rangers.  We had a conversation that I feel has considerable relevance to Bigfoot hunting, and I thought that I would pass it on to all interested.

Telahnay's G'son and I had had a conversation a few days before in which we discussed the legality of carrying Deer-caliber rifles in the fields and woods out of deer season.  I told him that I remembered reading something somewhere about it being illegal to tote such guns since they could/would be considered "the means of acquisition" of game that was not in season.  That conversation was on my mind when the Rangers walked up.  I opened the conversation with them with the query, "Have you guys seen any Bigfeet lately?"  Both, good naturedly, said that they had not.  I then asked if I could ask them about something.  They said that I could.  My question was, "Is it legal to be in the fields and woods with a deer-caliber rifle when it isn't deer season?"  I mentioned that I had read something about it being illegal to have "the means to acquisition" of game out of season.  They responded that it generally was not a problem because "there are usually a few wild hogs around."  I took them to mean that the possibility of wild hogs justified having the rifle since the hogs can be hunted all years.  One of the rangers then added, "But not with game [Deer] in your possesssion." 

I pushed the question, "What about at night?"  They again said that there would be no problem.

I pushed the question again, "What about guns and lights at night?"  They began to hedge, saying, "If you're carrying a rimfire rifle or pistol and have a fur bearer license."  They were obviously talking about persons hunting 'coons, 'possums, and other fur animals. 

I pushed the question again, "What about big caliber guns and lights?"  At that point, one of them said, "It might be a good idea to call your area Ranger and tell him where you are going to be and what you are going to be doing out there."  One of them added, "If we get a call in the middle of the night and have to get out of bed and go check the situation out, we might write some tickets for harrassing wildlife."

I said, "Are you saying that, if you get harrassed in the night, you're going to do some harrassing?"  They grinned and nodded.

I concluded with the question, "Is it illegal in Oklahoma to harrass wildlife?"  They replied, "It is!"

Think about it the next time you go Bigfoot hunting!

 

[Teufelwald]

Think about this.....your camping out in the woods, and a 9ft 1200lb omnivore walks into your camp and you are unarmed...and the critter is pissed because it thinks you are on his turf!

[#59]

Think about this.....your camping out in the woods, and a 9ft 1200lb omnivore walks into your camp and you are unarmed...and the critter is pissed because it thinks you are on his turf!

IMHO, make sure you're in compliance with the local statutes and/or stay the heck outa his turf! 

[Ray Ford]

Think about this.....your camping out in the woods, and a 9ft 1200lb omnivore walks into your camp and you are unarmed...and the critter is pissed because it thinks you are on his turf!

IMHO, make sure you're in compliance with the local statutes and/or stay the heck outa his turf! 

Teufelwald,

The problem seemed to be, as far as these particular rangers were concerned, with the combination of Deer-caliber guns and lights.  Spot-lighting deer is a big problem in Oklahoma.  (We have one wheat field--we call it the lower south field--on our farm which lays against the Creek and butts up against the section road.  From that road, a person can just drive onto the field.  There is no fence.  We became aware this past year that there was a person or persons who was/were driving past the field at night and probing it with a light.  We don't know if they killed anything.)  Being caught by rangers with big guns and a high-powered light in the fields and woods at night is probably somewhat akin to being caught by the police behind a jewelry store with a "jimmy."  Again, they seemed to have little problem with a person having just a gun.   

T's.g.'s observation is a good one.  Most/many of us have concealed carry permits and my .44, my .41, or my .357 is not a problem in most places.  But there are areas where even concealed carry guns are not allowed.

If you are going to be in the alley behind a jewelry store with a small bar at night, have a good reason, and it might be advisable to advise the local law enforcement people.  Otherwise, you might get arrested for harrassing a jeweler!

[Teufelwald]

So don't be shining powerful lights, and you will not be mistaken for someone shining deer!

[Teufelwald]

Think about this.....your camping out in the woods, and a 9ft 1200lb omnivore walks into your camp and you are unarmed...and the critter is pissed because it thinks you are on his turf!

IMHO, make sure you're in compliance with the local statutes and/or stay the heck outa his turf! 

Absolutely!

[pattymac]

Some very good points.

I don't know the current game ranger in my neck of the woods these days. I knew the one before this one. He used a lot of common sense with the way he handle this area. He also made a lot of arrests. Shining lights seems to be pc for stopping and searching folks. Many times these same folks had poached game. One of the things that amazed me about him was how he always seemed to know where to look and when to look for these folks..........I have been told his replacement isn't as nice. I for one wouldn't want to push the envelope with these guys.

[pattymac]

Hey preacher right after reading here, I stolled over to this place http://www.alabamabigfoot.com/forums/forum15/270.html
 and low and behold a testimony of what can happen. Thought that was interesting.

[#59]

Hey preacher right after reading here, I stolled over to this place http://www.alabamabigfoot.com/forums/forum15/270.html
 and low and behold a testimony of what can happen. Thought that was interesting.

This quote is from the ODWC website ( www.wildlifedepartment.com ) and found under the Hunting Regulations section.

Headlighting

No person may attempt to take, take, attempt to catch, catch, attempt to capture, capture, attempt to kill, or kill any deer, feral animal or other wildlife, except fish and frogs or except as provided by law, by the use of a vehicle mounted spotlight or other powerful light at night, by what is commonly known as "headlighting" or use any light enhancement device (night scope). Provided, however, nothing in this code shall prevent one from possessing a .22 caliber rimfire rifle or .22 caliber rimfire pistol and a light carried on his person while in pursuit of furbearers with hounds during the legal open furbearer season, while possessing a valid hunting license and fur license, unless exempt.

The key wording IMHO is "...any deer, feral animal or other wildlife..." as a BF/SF may well fall within that parameter.

[pattymac]

Something I have wondered for a while. I was scanning the ODWC a while back. Its pretty specific about hunting trapping  fur bearing animals. Fur being a very important descriptor in the regs. What if the SF have hair and not fur. Hair is classified different than fur? Would that make the offense different?

I have stated to friends for a long time. LE has enough laws to cover just about dang near anything under the sun. If anyone cares to check. In Ok there are laws dating back to the 1800's still in use today if they choose to use them. This includes harrassing wildlife. Oh and if they are migratory that is another can of worms isn't it?