Limekiln Ranger Attitude

After hearing earlier reports of the poor attitude exhibited by the new Limekiln SP ranger (Dave Garcia), I experienced him myself last week. He is worse than I was led to believe by the earlier reports. This is a shame because the guys who work for him (Rick and Sam) are great. Garcia is ruining Limekiln for guests with his dictator approach to everything and attitude that everyone is a criminal until proven innocent.

Upon departure last Friday, I asked Rick how I could express my disappointment to superiors regarding how ranger Garcia has turned Limekiln into a much less pleasant place to visit. I was given a "How are we doing?" questionnaire. I completed it with lengthy comments about how Garcia has changed the whole atmosphere at Limekiln and how this new attitude will reduce interest in using this exceptional resource.  If you too would like to comment based on your experiences, write a note to:
California State Parks, Attention: Mary Veliquette, P.O.Box 942896, Room 1431, Sacramento, CA 94296-001. Garcia needs to be reassigned. His people skills are terrible. If you share this viewpoint, a note on your experience could help.

Hey Bob - sorry you had to experience the uglyness of that particular ranger. I'd like to spend a weekend at Limekiln some time in the future but I'd hate to deal with that dude again.

I'll definitely do my part to voice my opinion on this ranger's attitude. Thanks for the info.

I just park on a pullout and sleep in my van.  Last time down it was hard to find a pullout to ourselves.  Why pay to take BS from that dude.  I swung through there once and determined that it was unsuitable for fishing launches any.  Largeish surf, longish walk to the beach, and few parking spots.

When I was out there he wanted to see my license when I came in.  I took off my jacket because I was hot from hauling my kayak to the top parking lot.  When I showed him my license he told me, " you know I could write you a ticket"  and then said "hey I'm a nice guy just doing my job" What a prick!!!!  

Guy like him avoid at all costs!  I will write in about my experience.

When I was out there he wanted to see my license when I came in.  I took off my jacket because I was hot from hauling my kayak to the top parking lot.  When I showed him my license he told me, " you know I could write you a ticket"  and then said "hey I'm a nice guy just doing my job" What a prick!!!!  

Guy like him avoid at all costs!  I will write in about my experience.

Regarding the wearing of a license while carting your kayak back to the car, I don't think the ranger has a leg to stand on. You were not fishing at the time. In fact, what if a friend that never made it on the water was the one actually moving the kayak for you, while you dealt with gear on the beach? Do you need to wear your license while driving home? It would be interesting to see case law on this subject.

Take a look at Section 700(a):
 "Every person,while engaged in taking any fish amphibian or reptile, shall display their valid fishing license by attaching it to their outer clothing at or above the waistline so that it is plainly visible."

And Chapter One, section 1.72 of the General provisions

"Take. Hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill fish, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans or invertebrates or attempting to do so."

Does not say anything about the wearing of a license while transporting fish. In fact, a search through the regulations for the word "transport" only brings up references to transporting clams, abalone, live fish, and ling and rockfish management areas.

I don't suppose that California has any hunter or fisher harrassment laws ? Because it sure seems like this fellow is bordering on that sort of activity, and under the color of authority as well.

Regards,
Scott

Whether he has the authority or not on some of the details, it is his little empire and he can make life miserable for you whether he is right or wrong. Again, guilty until proven innocent is the apparent theme.

Remember, he has a gun on his hip. Consequently, what you or I think or what the regs actually state matters little at the time.

Like he's going to shoot you.  If he took that gun out, his boss would get a letter from you claiming to suffer post traumatic stress, and letters from about 10-15 other kayakers that 'witnessed' the ranger threatening to assault you without cause..  See how long he's working there then.

Actually, I was thinking that if he ends up looking like a fool in court a good number of times, that can't be good for his career. And drawing a firearm on a couple of kayakers would probably mean re-assignment, once the dust settled.

Scott