07-21-2018, 05:06 PM
The only real issue here is the letter vs. the intent of the law. In theory every law or rule in this country is black and white. In reality, there are thousands and thousands of laws that have some kind of grey area. It is up to law enforcement and other officials to use common sense judgement on when to apply some of these rules and when to ignore them. If you think this doesn't happen on a regular basis, you are kidding yourself. It happens all the time, in all kinds of places, for all kinds of reasons.
Now with that said, it doesn't mean anyone has to cut you a break or let things slide. They often do, and they often should though.
Like I said, in WY I often fish off of docks. Docks hold fish, and can get you out to deeper water that hold fish. I get off as soon as I see someone launching their boat or coming in to use the dock. It has never been a problem and never will be. I have literally had rangers, fish and game officials, policemen, you name it, come down and speak with me and never bust my balls over this issue. Nor have I ever been scolded by boaters.
If its after dark particularly and nobody is in sight, you should be able to fish the dock regardless of what the sign says. I don't see why people are so uptight about that. If someone or their family is using a dock for fishing during the day, and getting your way and bothering people... 1) Chew their butts 2) call someone to enforce the darn law.
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Now with that said, it doesn't mean anyone has to cut you a break or let things slide. They often do, and they often should though.
Like I said, in WY I often fish off of docks. Docks hold fish, and can get you out to deeper water that hold fish. I get off as soon as I see someone launching their boat or coming in to use the dock. It has never been a problem and never will be. I have literally had rangers, fish and game officials, policemen, you name it, come down and speak with me and never bust my balls over this issue. Nor have I ever been scolded by boaters.
If its after dark particularly and nobody is in sight, you should be able to fish the dock regardless of what the sign says. I don't see why people are so uptight about that. If someone or their family is using a dock for fishing during the day, and getting your way and bothering people... 1) Chew their butts 2) call someone to enforce the darn law.
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