Friendly ranger encountered on Buffalo

[Tim Eubanks]

I had a ranger (in a rec kayak) check my fishing license Sunday just below the 65 bridge. A first in all my many trips. She did not check coolers, trash bags, etc. PFD's were visible so she didn't ask about those. Very nice conversation. She said glass on the river was the big problem of the day. We saw her later sitting under a bluff in the shade with binocs looking upstream for violaters.

I told her partner better informed floaters at put ins would reduce most of their problems. He indicated they were working on it.

[Ryan Center]

Yeah right.

[Lifejacket]

Yeah right.

I second that motion. "Better informed" means less ticket revenue and more expenses on advertising.

Was this NPS ranger or AGFC officer?

[Tim Eubanks]

NPS ranger. We put on Saturday at the upper Tyler Bend put in and were immediately "pulled over" just past that riffle by ranger Rick. He looked for pfd's, coolers with no glass, and trash bags.
As "trip leader" I'd made sure that each boat in our group had what was required by law. No problems here.

We put in Sunday at Baker's Ford. Ranger Rita was there, looking at the likely rule-breakers. From what I over heard, she was polite and informative. I did see here "apprehend" a glass container before it got on the river. Wonder if any alternatives were offered.

Also wondered to what degree the concessioner informed floaters as to the rules: what not to do.

It would not take too much paint: NO GLASS, PFD / person, trash bag/boat, secure your stuff.

[nike54_la]

Just my two cents....what happened to personal responsiblity? These laws are posted in a lot of public places and in the Arkansas fishing guide. Why should someone depend on the enforcement officers to educate everyone. Why don't we place that responsiblity on the person? I guess that's the way it goes these days. Blame someone else for what you didn't know.

If I get pulled over by a cop for breaking a state law, I really don't beleive I could defend it by "I didn't know, you or your fellow officers should have told me".

Ok, rant over. Bash away.

[Randy Dodson]

Just my two cents....what happened to personal responsiblity? These laws are posted in a lot of public places and in the Arkansas fishing guide. Why should someone depend on the enforcement officers to educate everyone. Why don't we place that responsiblity on the person? I guess that's the way it goes these days. Blame someone else for what you didn't know.

If I get pulled over by a cop for breaking a state law, I really don't beleive I could defend it by "I didn't know, you or your fellow officers should have told me".

Ok, rant over. Bash away.

You do have a valid point but just to play the devil's advocate....we have to take a test to get a drivers licsence, written and driving so most people driving a vehicle are for the most part informed of the laws of the road.

Most people renting a canoe on the Buffalo or any other river are not aware of the laws concerning paddling a canoe or kayak unless they're veteran renters. And even though that's not a valid excuse, it would still be nice to inform these people. The very best reason to inform them through a sign or through the outfitter is to keep glass and trash off the river, not to keep money out of ranger Rick's pocket.

I for one would like to see less glass on the river instead of people getting fined for having it on the river.

[Scoupe]

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." That was one concept my parents pounded into my thick skull as a kid. Certainly seems to apply here as well. Of course, so was the concept of personal responsibilty as mentioned above. Hence, I've known since before the interweb even existed that glass was a no-no and boaters everywhere are required to have PFDs on board.

Signs stating the regulations would keep honest folks from making honest mistakes, and Ranger Rick would probably still be kept busy enough writing tickets those who chose ignore them, or think they don't apply to them.

[Cowper]

Signs stating the regulations would keep honest folks from making honest mistakes, and Ranger Rick would probably still be kept busy enough writing tickets those who chose ignore them, or think they don't apply to them.

I think that hits the nail on the head. I have seen dozens and dozens of signs, billboards, etc, for every enforcement officer I have seen on the river. We could post a speed limit sign on the freeway every 100 feet, and if we had zero enforcement, folks would still drive much faster than the speed limit every day.

Every outfitter I've dropped in on has one or more signs summarizing the litter law, and a stack of mess bags to hand out. And they simply don't rent boats without PFD's, unless you as a renter refuse the PFD because you brought your own.

I wish it wasn't this way, but, education plus enforcement is going to bring better compliance with these laws than education alone.

Guess what law has been proposed, but can never get out of committee? A "bag law" for Pick-up trucks. Studies show blowing trash from trucks is a major component of highway litter, but every proposal to require securing the loose stuff, basically a "mesh bag law" for trucks, gets shot down before it can get out of the gates.

[Twindad]

Rangerette asked to see contents of my cooler Sunday while 13 y.o. Twin #2 and I were putting in at Baker's Ford. Then, 200 yards above takeout at Tyler's Bend, double rangers were waving boats over to 1. check coolers, 2. life jackets, and 3. tie downs. I was in violation of #3, but nothing was said. The final show was at the Tyler Bend/US 65 intersection, where ranger boys/cops? had a perp face down in the grass with hands in zip ties. I imagined this conversation:

Me: Need any help?
Cops: No, move along, sir.
Me: I wasn't talkin' to you, ranger-boy.

Needless to say, I just THINK snappy stuff like that, rather than say it.

What do you think they would do if you wouldn't pull your canoe over or wouldn't open your cooler? The Zip-tie treatment? (Mind you, I'm completely WITH the NO GLASS program)

Tom Lewis

[Paddlegal]

Just my two cents....what happened to personal responsiblity? These laws are posted in a lot of public places and in the Arkansas fishing guide.

No I agree with you! I happened to go on a trip with a member who carried glass bottles. I will name no names.

[Paddlegal]

Yeah right.

I second that motion. "Better informed" means less ticket revenue and more expenses on advertising.

Was this NPS ranger or AGFC officer?

I disagree with your sentiments. A good friend of mine, playing in the water with his son, ran into the water and rammed a piece of glass all the way through his foot. Real vacation spoiler that was. Bloody trip to the emergency room. Maybe we are responsible people but many of the general public are not.

[fryingsquirrel]

Don't feed the Bears....Need I say more?
[*]For the more challenged (like me) I am trying to insinuate the rangers as the bears[*]
Squirrel out...