I once had a tent up all night, for the dogs. wind was up and down from 25 MPH, so we dug em a hole, and pitched the the puppy hut. We were up the whole time running 6 or so rods. Rangers drove by about 6 times throughout the the night and never said a word. I was honestly unclear about the tent rule, and was never interested in sleeping out there anyway.
after way more than 6 or 8 drive-bys, the next morning around 8am, he stops, gets out and approaches us. Of course the two pooches came out to greet him. Not on a leash. I was pretty embarrassed, and was ready to humbly accept a ticket.
He was cool enough to explain that while he could see that we weren't sleeping on the beach, others may think we are, and make a stink about it; and That is why there aren't tents allowed after dark. I apologized for the dogs being free, but he said that they were obviously under control without leash and he'd overlook it, this time.
I thought that this was very tolerant and understanding of the ranger. He definitely had grounds to reach in my pockets that day, and did not.
The holiday weekend, is so crowded with chowderheads, it must make it impossible to keep a thumb on all of them.
I look at it this way....A giant pile of logs stinks, and is an eyesore, no doubt about that. But that person payed for their OSV pass, and will probably use it 2 or 3 times TOPS during the year. We payed the same price and will use it MANY more times in a year. To alienate the dingdongs, would drive down the demand for the OSV pass and weaken the (eventual) access position, and drive the price up for the rest of us fisherpeople.
I'm in no way implying that it's OKAY to litter on the beach, or that the rangers should condone this type of behavior. Just trying to see the bigger picture. Or look at the situation in a different light.
It's a number's game. You could head out over the sand twice a year, break every rule in the book, and not get ticketed. If you go out 25 times a year, and slip up a handful of times, you stand a better chance of getting a ticket. The probability is just not in our favor.
maybe I'm full of
, and just need to go fish!
-Chris