Hog Blocked

[Stonepointer]

About a month ago, I decided I wanted to get a California pig tag for use during the last week of turkey season.

I was going to go into an area that contained both types of game and also considered it would be nice to have a few more chances at hunting a major food source after the last major season and before the new license cycle.

So I went to a local sporting goods store (one named for a certain number of large game animals in North America) and asked for a pig tag.

The girl at the counter started going through all the license and tag documents they keep behind the counter, but she did not know really what to look for, so she called her manager and he started thumbing through the file folders briefly, as if not even looking at all, and then he looked up gave me a very odd and angry gaze, then put the DFG folders angrily away and said to me snappily that the DFG had recalled all their hunting licenses, tags, and stamps.

I saw several of the DFG hunting documents when the girl first thumbed through them, so I know they had at least some hunting tags and stamps.

I knew this guy was lying, but did not let it bother me and left the store without any animosity and even thanked him for looking.

I then drove to a local gun and archery specific supplier and retailer a few miles away and asked them for a pig tag and they had no problem giving me the tag, after I filled out the necessary forms with my license information. We even had the usual small talk one either hears or engages in at such stores such as population, game size, bragadosia, bs, etc.

Now, I have not really tried to let what happened at the first retailer bother me, but every now and then, it pops back up in my mind to abrade my Eire. :mad-fumin-red:

I can not really say 100% what motivated this person was to act like this was, other than he did not like hunting or hunters, even though they sell merchandise directly related to just such an activity (guns, ammo, and hunting supplies), besides all the other cheap low quality sporting goods from China for other outdoor pursuits that they sell.

Could what this first retail manager did, be described as a form of hunter harassment, or constitute a form of obstruction and interference with a state government agency?

 

[GVOllie]

Could just be a case of their 5% not being worth the effort to do the paperwork. Luckily, when I picked up mine, the girl at the counter was happy to search through everything to tell me what she had in. I was able to get my license, first and second deer, bear, pig, upland, and survey stamp. The only thing I need to go back for is state and federal duck, and I have enough time for that.

 

[k_rad]

Seems like some retail store employees that don't know about a subject get, embarrassed and then agitated in stead of just admitting they don't know. If the guy was letting his ego get in the way of giving good service, You should be upset. If he was giving you the"dirty killer"attitute then you should be really upset and talk to a manager...my 2cents

 

[Live2hunt]

I then drove to a local gun and archery specific supplier and retailer a few miles away and asked them for a pig tag and they had no problem giving me the tag, after I filled out the necessary forms with my license information.

I was at Big5 three weeks ago trying to buy a pig tag. The lady told me the same thing that DFG recalled all their 2009 hunting license and tags. All they have were the new 2010. I ask for the new 2010 license and she opened the box. I took a peek and sure enough there weren't any other license and tag besides the new 2010.

Are you sure you bought a pig tag? Don't recall having to fill out any form when buying a pig tag.

 

[Stonepointer]

Are you sure you bought a pig tag? Don't recall having to fill out any form when buying a pig tag.

Excuse my mistake; a single little form which I think they kept a small part of that contains my license number, name, address, and phone number.

After about 20 bucks was shelled out, the form was filled out, I then received an orange 2009/2010 California Resident Wild Pig Report Card good through the end of June with a detachable tag that asks method of take, time, locality, sex, if dogs were used, time of kill, and any other necessary information and that it is required to be in possession during the hunt.

I was aware that the DFG was getting ready for the 2010/2011 licensing documents to be put out in July, but there is no reason to have all the necessary licenses, tags, and stamps for 2009/2010 removed or recalled when spring turkey season was still in full swing and there are still hunters out there that might want to fill their bags with more than one type of game.

This guy just outright lied to me. I am in a firm belief that his reasoning was of an anti-hunting sentiment, although there is really no way to prove it.

 

[TonyS]

Although I certainly would not appreciate driving clear over there to that store to be lied to, ie "we don't have any tags", there is another way to look at it.

Can you imagine working all day long at a job that promotes hunting and fishing while you, in your heart, hate the whole idea? Sounds like that guy immersed himself in hell.

Grin.

 

[#1Predator]

Stonepointer;

I was aware that the DFG was getting ready for the 2010/2011 licensing documents to be put out in July, but there is no reason to have all the necessary licenses, tags, and stamps for 2009/2010 removed or recalled when spring turkey season was still in full swing and there are still hunters out there that might want to fill their bags with more than one type of game.

My two pennies:

Most license agents (except those who order via C.O.D.) have to post a bond with the DFG to insure the state does not loose any license money. Many retail stores are limited in the number of licenses they can keep on hand by the size of the bond they post (i.e. a $10,000 bond limits the agent to no more than $10,000 worth of fishing/hunting licenses, tags, stamps, etc.). All monies and unused outdated licenses, tags, etc. must be returned to the DFG before the new year's licenses, tags, stamps, etc. will be sent to the retailer. Some retailers can afford to keep a small number of "old" licenses on hand while still getting their new year's licenses, some cannot.

Some large retail license agents (Wal-Mart, etc.) require their stores to send in all monies and outdated licenses, let's say, by May 15th so their central office can bundle everything together and get the entire package sent to the DFG. The sooner this is done, the sooner they receive their new licenses but it will leave them without any licenses for a short period of time.

My solution - I bought a lifetime fishing license (sent to me each November for the following year) and an enhanced lifetime hunting license (new license, upland game stamp, Cal. duck stamp, deer tag app, and five pig tags sent in early May for the following year). No fuss, no muss, no additional fee hikes. It's one of the best deals I've ever made.

 

[83Yota]

I second what #1Predator said.
They have to send them in, this has happened to me before as well.
Buy all your tags at the beginning of July and you will not run into this issue.

 

[leftyhunter]

I have enjoyed a positive experience buying deeer apps and pig tags at my local Big 5. No retailer can always hire perfect people so stuff happans. I am sure the Big 5 corporate office would be very interested in your experience and make the necessary adjustments to their rude personnel.

Leftyhunter