5/27 DFG Abalone Checkpoint in Boonville

On the way home yesterday went through a DFG Abalone checkpoint in Boonville on HWY 128.

The officers were very pleasant and professional.

I felt fortunate that my report card and license were handy and that I hadn't stashed them in my kayak or something.

They checked all three of my coolers and asked me a few questions and sent me on my way. This was my first time at an abalone checkpoint on the highway and it was as quick and painless as it could have been.

Anyway, just wanted to share my experience and say thanks to DFG for being out there trying to cut down on poaching etc.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

ps...also saw DFG busting a large group of divers at Albion on Sunday AM. From what I overheard it sounded like it was a sting operation and that there were multiple vessels/groups working together.   

I am comfy with the check points...it's the brief moment it takes to fill  out cards/tags just after landing on the beach. I can't seem to get that part done quick enough and double check then  triple check as I couldn't imagine life without a fishing license ...

Many years ago I was checked at the truck on Hwy 1. The warden questioned my over used iron...maybe a bit to worn on the tip. He checked my abs and didn't notice any knife marks on them and was good with it. While discussing a young fellow with a three foot long screw driver came back to his car....the warden told me to take care of it and headed off to cite that guy...

How about these poor guys.....
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/DFG-s-abalone-checkpoint-bags-pot-merchants-3187300.php

I am comfy with the check points...it's the brief moment it takes to fill  out cards/tags just after landing on the beach. I can't seem to get that part done quick enough and double check then  triple check as I couldn't imagine life without a fishing license ...

How about these poor guys.....
http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/DFG-s-abalone-checkpoint-bags-pot-merchants-3187300.php

Yeah, the tagging is a pain...but it is what it is.

They had dogs at the checkpoint yesterday too...I assume to look for drugs? They poked around in the car a bit and I am sure if it stunk like weed they would have searched more thoroughly?

I called my wife's uncle when I was done and let him know to just be honest if they asked if he had any abalone. I had gifted him one and it was in the shell and tagged and in a ziploc bag in the freezer of his RV. I told him that it was 100% legal so not to try and hide it or anything (he's not a diver and doesn't know the rules and I didn't want him thinking he had to hide it or that I had done anything illegal etc)....they just waved him through so it didn't turn out to be an issue.

Sincerely,

Jim

We passed by yesterday as well, early afternoon.  Either they were packing it in for the day, or on lunch break, but we didn't get stopped. I'm glad to see them there, hope they busted a whole bunch of poachers this weekend.

I think the ab checkpoints are weaksauce. But I'm biased after a family member was cited for transporting abs out of their shell.
This was over 10yrs ago and we were returning from a 2-week campout at Paul Dimmick and only had ~8 abs among 4 divers. But silly us...we cleaned them in the campground and didn't eat it all. So we vacuum sealed the uncooked leftovers and put em in the RV freezer. After a citation, Mendo Co court date, and a thousand dollar fine...my family decided to stop harvesting abs (and our 30+ year family tradition was cast aside).
Also note how the ab checkpoints always coincide with upcoming local Abalone fundraisers. Hmmmmm

I think the ab checkpoints are weaksauce. But I'm biased after a family member was cited for transporting abs out of their shell.
This was over 10yrs ago and we were returning from a 2-week campout at Paul Dimmick and only had ~8 abs among 4 divers. But silly us...we cleaned them in the campground and didn't eat it all. So we vacuum sealed the uncooked leftovers and put em in the RV freezer. After a citation, Mendo Co court date, and a thousand dollar fine...my family decided to stop harvesting abs (and our 30+ year family tradition was cast aside).
Also note how the ab checkpoints always coincide with upcoming local Abalone fundraisers. Hmmmmm

That's a bummer Pat. But man after seeing how many poachers (real poachers, not like make a mistake and vacuum seal leftovers and freeze them stuff) they were busting right there at Albion I gotta say I understand and appreciate how they have to enforce the rules by the letter of the law....

As far as the local abalone fundraisers....I guess I would rather have the confiscated abs be put to good use rather than just destroyed so kinda makes sense if they coincide checkpoints with a way to utilize the meat?

I dunno....come ab diving with me and Andy and we can start a new tradition for you and Carrie and the kiddos. 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

They had dogs at the checkpoint yesterday too...I assume to look for drugs?

They may be sniffing for abalone.
One DFG lady up here has a dog that sniffs for Quagga mussels.
What better way to get past DFG than by having your card filled out properly, your abs tagged properly, everything in order and very handy when they ask only to have several under sized and over limits stashed in the sidewalls??
I may be mistaken, but with so many carrying the med marijuana cards it would seem pot sniffing dogs would be sniffing it out all the time, much of which would be legal.

But man after seeing how many poachers (real poachers, not like make a mistake and vacuum seal leftovers and freeze them stuff) they were busting right there at Albion I gotta say I understand and appreciate how they have to enforce the rules by the letter of the law....

No doubt, I appreciate and encourage the guys who are there to bust the "real" poachers. You know, proactively going out & engaging divers to locate and stop poachers. But the checkpoint thing kinda lazy IMO.  and yes, my opinion is totally biased

We saw that checkpoint as we drove out Monday morning.  Could not believe how many wardens were there, seemed like a f&g reunion. 

Checkpoints are not my favorite thing, but if they stop poachers I'll go through one every day I dive.   

So coming from the ocean was the check point before or after the Brewery?

Seems a little reactive rather than proactive.  Efficiency takes a dose of both.

So coming from the ocean was the check point before or after the Brewery?

it was at the fairgrounds, before the brewery/hwy 253