Park Rangers

[Aristotle]

I'd be lying if I didn't admit that the majority of the time I smoke are in the woods of the beautiful parks I have in my area. 1 of the 3 never, ever have park rangers or even cops stop by. But the other 2, that I use less frequently, have park rangers on staff at all times. They never seem to hike the trails I smoke on anyway, but I'm curious about something.

Do these park rangers have any actual power? I'm very familar with how to handle real cops, but do park rangers have any rights to search you, or do you have to give consent?

If I ever do run in with a park ranger, can I just say "fuck you, I'll leave" and not getting any repercussions?

Thanks. Hopefully someone out there is an actual park ranger or knows of one.

Aristotle Reviewed by Aristotle on 10-10-2006. Park Rangers I'd be lying if I didn't admit that the majority of the time I smoke are in the woods of the beautiful parks I have in my area. 1 of the 3 never, ever have park rangers or even cops stop by. But the other 2, that I use less frequently, have park rangers on staff at all times. They never seem to hike the trails I smoke on anyway, but I'm curious about something. Do these park rangers have any actual power? I'm very familar with how to handle real cops, but do park rangers have any rights to Rating: 5

[the yeag]

well as far as i know, park ranger can only try to detain you and call the cops. but if they are a game warden to that is a differant story. park ranger-game wardens, are the only federal police that have absolute power over everything, they can even search your car or home withought permission, or warrent....~yes this is true~.....so i would be carefull

[Aristotle]

Wait, what?

Game wardens have the power to search without permission, but park rangers dont?

Sorry, I was confused when you said "park ranger-game wardens, are the only federal police that have absolute power over everything, they can even search your car or home withought permission, or warrent"

[the yeag]

well lots of park rangers are just regular people that work for the forrestry service. but some are game wardens to which makes them federal, so they can search your property withought a warrant. they passed that law so poachers could not get rid of skins or poached meat before the warrant was served..if they dont carry a firearm, there not warrdens..not trying to scare ya just be carefull..

[Aristotle]

Thanks man , that's what I needed to know.

But regular park rangers basically carry no rights in terms of search and seizure?

[Myth1184]

guys guys...

Park Rangers can search your vehicle without any cause, cause you are in a park. They cant "arrest" you but they can put you in handcuffs, haul you off to the Rangers Station, and wait for police to take you the other half of the trip. Basically, when your inside a National/State Park...Rangers are the law. Thats why you dont toke up inside a Park. Yeag above was right in a sense, Park Rangers are considered Game Wardens, since catching Poachers is part of their Job.

Wana know something fucked up..Game Wardens can come INSIDE YOUR HOUSE WITHOUT A WARRANT, and search your fridge.

[the yeag]

no you are wrong......sorry lots of rangers work for the forrestry department..but game wardens are a whole other ballgame...look it up..google it...i am right...i am so sure i would self bann myself if i was wrong

[ninfan77]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_ranger


And leeched off google::


at the federal level, you have:
- U.S. Park Police, charged with law enforcement at the national parks in Washington DC (The Mall, Washington Monument, etc.) as well as in New York City and San Francisco. They are the closest thing the federal governement has to municipal patrol officers.
- Fish & Wildlife Service Officers, charged with enforcing federal laws regarding fish and wildlife protection.
- National Park Rangers, who fall into two categories. One is comprised of the interpretative staff that gives talks and tours at National Parks; no LE powers. The other is made up of law enforcement personnel that enforce federal as well as state laws on National Park property.

In our state, we have:
- Conservation Wardens, which are often referred to as 'Rangers'. In fact, I was visiting a state park this summer and saw the park's CW driving a squad car marked 'RANGER'. They have state-wide law enforcement status, though they spend most of their efforts enforcing game and state laws at state parks, forest, and other state-owned natural areas.
- State Park Rangers, who are the ones that typically check people into campgrounds at state parks. Little to no legal authority.

Locally, many municpalities employ Park Rangers. In our city, the municipal park rangers do everything from running summer programs to doing maintenance to cleaning bathrooms at municipal parks. About all they can do is write parking tickets and other minor citations.

[Aristotle]

Hmm thanks for the info, guys. Google never lies.

I guess it just depends on who catches you. I mean it's really hard to get caught in a big park, especially now that it's getting cold.. but I just wanted to make sure that average park rangers couldn't detain you.

[HeyItsMe]

I always thought most of the park rangers, branched of a regular LEO, the criminal justice system. Im pretty sure they can act like normal police being there the police of the woods, but I realy dont know.