It’ s not often I have a person tell me about all the ways he breaks game and fish laws in an unsolicited conversation, knowing full well I’ m a game warden. •
Fishing & Hunting Opportunities Located on the west end of Devils Lake!
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Behind the Badge
Small Talk by Zane Manhart ND District Game Warden
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One afternoon a few years ago I was in an auto parts store buying a new battery for my patrol truck when a man that I knew came in and sat down on the stool next to me. He immediately started making small talk.
We discussed the weather and other topics which are usually the case when people are talking to the game warden. Eventually, the conversation turned to wildlife issues.
This gentleman told me that he doesn’ t do much with wildlife other than take home a roadkill deer occasionally. The parts clerk immediately perked up and looked at me to see how I would react.
I told the man he was required to have a permit to possess any deer even road-killed wildlife. I told him that either a game warden or a deputy could issue him a permit for a roadkill if he needed one.
He then told me that when he sees an injured deer near the road he stops and puts the deer down.
Again, the parts clerk looked right at me. Then she shot a glance at the man as if to say,“ Stop talking.”
I explained to him that he needed to be authorized by a game warden to put a deer down. He didn’ t seem to understand why that might be a good idea, but he kept on going.
He asked if I was going to a parent teacher conference. I said that I was as soon as I got my battery. He said he was also going to parent teacher conferences.
Then he started to lament that he had better things to do than spend his evening at the school. I asked him what he had to do that evening that was better. He told me he’ d been chasing coyotes with a snowmobile with his kids.
This time the parts clerk looked at him with an absolute look of surprise as if to say,“ I can’ t believe you keep talking.”
I think I must have looked a bit surprised myself, because I certainly was.
I told the man that in North Dakota it is a misdemeanor to pursue coyotes with a snowmobile. He got a funny look on his face, then didn’ t seem to want to talk much more.
After leaving the store I checked the online records system and discovered that the man didn’ t even have a hunting license. I contacted my supervisor about the incident, and it was
decided that warden Zachary Schuchard would investigate.
A day or two later Warden Schuchard interviewed the man who admitted to everything that he had previously admitted to me. He was cited for his violations. To this day, that remains one of the most interesting small talk sessions of which I’ ve been a part.
It’ s not often I have a person tell me about all the ways he breaks game and fish laws in an unsolicited conversation, knowing full well I’ m a game warden. •
Fishing & Hunting Opportunities Located on the west end of Devils Lake!
Est. 1883
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Make Plans to Attend These Yearly Events Minnewaukan Fffistival 1 st Saturday in March
Fishing Tournament & Raffles Sponsored by the Minnewaukan Fire Volunteers & Community Club.
Rock The Lake Fishing Tournament 1 st Saturday in August Fishing Tournament, CornHole Tournament, kids games, parade, supper and dance. Proceeds benefit the Minnewaukan Fire Department
701-473-5735 Email: mwkncity @ gondtc. com City of Minnewaukan • 170 Main St. E • PO Box 192 • Minnewaukan, ND
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