So. Carolina DNR Decoy

[BillJ]

What you boys think? I've had a run in with this SCDNR agent.. Bad actor!

 

[GetReal]

I know that in SC, you basically need an act of Congress to shoot an alligator that is threatening to kill or maim your children.

 

[slm9s]

You can't look at deer in a moonlit field? Wow. That video is upsetting.

 

[Knotwild]

I hate to say it, but here in SC the game wardens don't amount to much. They are under staffed and LAZY. I knew some who were assigned to salt water work and to log hours on the boat they would put it in the water, leave it running, and go shoot the breeze in the seafood store for a few hours.

Most of the time, the fake deer is used where there have already been instances of night hunting. But those DNR officers were out to get him for sure. If they wanted to get him honestly, they would have waited for him to shoot (which wouldn't have happened). I know they thought they would take it to court and convince a jury of intent due to a loaded rifle in the truck and night vision. This day and time who needs a light?

Funny story: When I was young there was a guy in my home town who was known to shoot deer with a light and out season. He had a cooler behind his house and 12 months out of the year he sold meat. He used 22lr, 22 magnum, and 22 Hornet. He would have someone drive, shine and shoot the deer, and mark the spot with some trash. After he killed enough he would dump the gun and they would go back with a wheel barrow and pick the deer up. To my knowledge, he was never prosecuted, but his activities were common knowledge.

I also knew a guy who rented 2000 acres across from a place I had on a river. He was a harbor boat pilot in Charleston SC. 3 of them were riding around one night drinking and shining deer on their property. Somebody hopped in after taking a leak and a Steyer 270 went off and shot the transmission. They were standing around thinking about what to do next and DNR rides up because they heard the shot and arrested them.

SCDNR is not what I would call a respected professional agency.

 

[Knotwild]

I know that in SC, you basically need an act of Congress to shoot an alligator that is threatening to kill or maim your children.

Maybe in the developed areas around the coast where the crazies that have moved in and might throw a fit, causing trouble. They protected alligators so long that they have become a real problem. But whacking one on a golf course is tough without going through the proper channels. But they are not a problem where people know and understand the danger they pose.

 

[timeout]

Obviously, I do not have any knowledge of SC hunting laws. Watching only this video, I suspect they had prior info on the hunter and wanted badly to charge and arrest him. IMHO it seems like he didn't do anything to indicate that he would shoot at the decoy and in fact, never shot at it. I side with the hunter. In my state the loaded rifle in the vehicle would land oneself a ticket, not to mention the safety aspect.

 

[dryhumor]

Positioning a vehicle’s headlights can prompt a stop. Particularly if a decoy is set out. SCDNR rules are pretty specific about shining, who can and when, etc.

Legal shooting hours are essentially a hour before sunrise and a hour after sunset. Technically, walking to or from a stand with a loaded rifle before or after shooting time could be considered night hunting if pushed. Night time varmint hunting has its own set of rules.

The fact that his rifle was loaded, and that he paused travel to look at deer was what probably prompted DNR to charge.

I wouldn’t have pulled the guy over unless he shot. And if he didn’t and I did pull him over, I would have just had a conversation with the guy, and let him go. After watching him unload his rifle, then the lesson sticks….

 

[J.d. Popkes]

When are these game wardens going to be put in check? By that I mean state laws. They have been given way to much authority. They have been allowed to trample constitutional rights. Empowered and directed to trample the constitution, by the state. I can not believe what people accept. I suspect it’s the demographic that game wardens are dealing with. Decent law abiding people who have something to lose. They just play nice and get along. Think about it, your local sheriff’s deputies can’t get away with what game wardens do. No way.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Obviously, I do not have any knowledge of SC hunting laws. Watching only this video, I suspect they had prior info on the hunter and wanted badly to charge and arrest him. IMHO it seems like he didn't do anything to indicate that he would shoot at the decoy and in fact, never shot at it. I side with the hunter. In my state the loaded rifle in the vehicle would land oneself a ticket, not to mention the safety aspect.

Is your concealed carry loaded? While in your vehicle, on your person?

 

[Doug Casner]

We need more rules and laws everywhere. Ive heard people say, there oughta be a law against that. There probably is if you look. Doug

 

[J.d. Popkes]

You can't look at deer in a moonlit field? Wow. That video is upsetting.

No. That’s the states deer. It’s a cash crop for the state, on private land probably. Don’t look.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

We need more rules and laws everywhere. Ive heard people say, there oughta be a law against that. There probably is if you look. Doug

Sarcasm? Please clarify that “we need more rules and laws” part.

 

[GetReal]

Maybe in the developed areas around the coast where the crazies that have moved in and might throw a fit, causing trouble. They protected alligators so long that they have become a real problem. But whacking one on a golf course is tough without going through the proper channels. But they are not a problem where people know and understand the danger they pose.

SC. DNR ppl told me that alligators are found in places like Spartanburg, several hours from the coast, because college kids grab up 2 foot alligators as pets down at the coast, but once they've grown big enough, they don't know what to do with them. So they release them in ponds and lakes.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

I wouldn’t have pulled the guy over unless he shot. And if he didn’t and I did pull him over, I would have just had a conversation with the guy, and let him go. After watching him unload his rifle, then the lesson sticks…

Please explain your position here.

 

[Doug Casner]

Im sorry I didnt splain myself. I assumed everybody knew that was BS. Forgive me J.d. Doug

 

[GetReal]

Im sorry I didnt splain myself. I assumed everybody knew that was BS. Forgive me J.d. Doug

Seemed pretty obvious to me. A shooter begging for more laws? Pretty obvious sarcasm. Kinda like a guy drowning in the ocean praying for a big ole rainstorm at sea.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

You ain't from around here are you boy..............well, you in a heap o' trouble now!

 

[timeout]

Is your concealed carry loaded? While in your vehicle, on your person?

Yes, concealed carry of a pistol is loaded on person or in a vehicle. This created an issue with rifles and the first year there weren't any laws to prevent having a loaded rifle in the vehicle. They changed the statute wording somehow to squeeze that loophole. I always unload my rifle anyway for safety purposes. I need to look that wording up again.

 

[timeout]

When are these game wardens going to be put in check? By that I mean state laws. They have been given way to much authority. They have been allowed to trample constitutional rights. Empowered and directed to trample the constitution, by the state. I can not believe what people accept. I suspect it’s the demographic that game wardens are dealing with. Decent law abiding people who have something to lose. They just play nice and get along. Think about it, your local sheriff’s deputies can’t get away with what game wardens do. No way.

You are 100 % correct. The FBI can't even get away with what a game warden can.

 

[timeout]

Is your concealed carry loaded? While in your vehicle, on your person?

Here is the law regarding your question:
Transportation of firearms
Is it true that firearms no longer have to be unloaded or in a case if in or on a vehicle?

The new change made under the concealed carry legislation that took effect on Nov. 1, 2011, was the elimination of the requirement to unload or case a handgun before it is placed, possessed or transported in or on a vehicle, boat, snowmobile or ATV. Handguns can also be loaded while inside or on a vehicle.

More recent legislation has relaxed the laws for transporting other types of firearms, but there is a difference between the laws for handguns and other types of firearms. Effective Nov. 19, 2011, long guns, such as rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders, will no longer have to be in a case in order to place them in or on a vehicle, or to transport them unloaded in or on a vehicle. A loaded firearm, other than a handgun, can only be placed or possessed on the top or exterior of a vehicle which is stationary. Additionally, it is important to be aware that unlike handguns, it remains illegal to actually load any long guns (rifles, shotguns & muzzleloaders) while the firearm or person loading it is still in the vehicle. All long guns must be outside a motorized vehicle before a person may load the firearm. Once loaded, a long gun can be set down on a stationary vehicle, but must be unloaded before the firearm is placed inside or transported in or on the vehicle. Long guns must also be unloaded before they may be placed, possessed or transported in a motor boat with the motor running.