Via Free North Carolina, this story makes my blood boil.
"The sheriff’s department says they’ve received more than 50 complaints from people just out enjoying the woods when they were stopped by an overly aggressive forest service officer.
It appears this exploding confrontation between Sheriff John D’Agostini and the U.S. Forest service may come down to guns, and the right to carry them, and whether U.S. citizens are allowed to bring them onto federal land.
Cory Ward is an avid outdoorsman who frequents the El Dorado National forest. But he’s concerned this paradise could turn into a police state.
“I have felt intimidated,” he said.
He’s got a long list of complaints against federal officers who patrol the forest.
“They want to know what you’re doing here, where you’re going, do you have any firearms on board.”
Apparently, going to the woods just to have fun is now a reason to stop and interrogate.
Apparently, going to the woods just to have fun is now a reason to stop and interrogate.
Over the decades, I have burned a barrel of powder in that forest, and there is nothing suspicious or wrong with that. To start questioning people aggressively like this is an effort at intimidation, and the sheriff is right to call the feds on it.
The Forest Service supervisor who runs these out of control officers should lose their job, along with the Sturmabteilung wanna be's that he/she is employing.
The Nationals Forests have been overrun by the cartels. They have claimed thousands of acres as their own, growing millions of pounds of marijuana. Entire sections of forest nationwide are under cultivation, with these "farmers" harassing and shooting trespassers and using sophisticated camouflage and technology to hide their multi-million dollar operations and camps. Waypoints and holding stations in the woods are created for drug mules, coyotes, and transformers. Stumbling through the public forests has become a dangerous and risky proposition for an innocent visitor. Still wonder why you get harassed? Visit at your own risk.
ReplyDeletehttp://articles.latimes.com/2012/dec/26/local/la-me-mexican-marijuana-20121226
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/12/27/drug-traffickers-target-national-forests/1795001/
Twenty years ago an acquaintance of mine told of friend deer hunting on the coast range running into a pot patch, and having to dive behind a redwood while someone emptied a machine gun load of ammo into it. Pot growing is a definite problem, but no reason to harass everyday people obviously just enjoying themselves in the woods. The pot growers try to keep a low profile, and grow in really remote areas. If the cartels are that bad down in LA, then the authorities need to swamp the wood with law enforcement to drive them out, and secure the border.
DeleteForest Service people often call themselves "Federal Law Enforcement Officers" when they're conservation officers who are allowed to enforce some laws on BLM land. Most of them are completely worthless, having gravitated to the job for a number of reasons. I've had run-ins with some of them in the Mojave Preserve. They're invariably badge heavy and don't seem to know the law that well. I on the other hand schooled myself and knew precisely what the rules were, and I obtained permits from their office in Barstow, often times when I didn't need them as a process of over kill that is necessary in dealing with petty bureaucrats.
ReplyDeleteReplying (respectfully) to AndyWas, I go everywhere prepared. Sacramento is more dangerous than Truckee. Best be armed and prepared. Have extra fuel, extra water, extra food, extra ammo, walk softly and carry a big stick.