the ghost Game Warden

[steve ypsi]

the year 1957 I was 16 in and my brother was 18 going on 19. it was spring time, I think it was early June my brother and I were fishing at ford Lake near the dam in the rock piles for small mouth Bass. Fishing with us was a older man we had met while fishing there over the past few weeks, He was from the Philippines and new to this country, when I say older man in a 16 year olds mind a person 25 or 26 was old. He was new to bass fishing but he had nice rods and equipment. he didn't know what to fish with or how, we taught him how to catch crawfish under the rocks and how to rig them and now he was catching big smallies to. when we were catching crawfish under the rocks we would find fish hooks which we kept to use since we did not have a lot of money to buy store bought hooks, we used old nuts and washers for sinker's and when we couldn't find them we used rocks tied on that fell off about every other cast and was a pain. we didn't dress much better than our rods looked either. our hand me down pant's and shirts that were pretty worn and a couple of sizes to big looked pretty darn good to me at the time. now the reason I am talking about our clothes and fishing's rig's has a purpose.
we were fishing for a couple hours with Chun (the philipino) just talking about fishing when Chun said in a low voice *you boys got your fishing license , I said I don't need one until I am 17, my brother said yea I got one. I wondered why he asked us that, he never did before. a few minute's or so later a voice behind me about 3 feet away said """hi fellas"" I darned near jumped in the lake it scared me so bad, Now this was about 11:00 AM, I turned and saw the biggest Game warden I have ever known, he looked like he was 8 feet tall, in reality he was 6-7 or 6-8 and med build, I was 6-3 and 145 pounds back then and he dwarfed me. I'm looking at him and my heart still racing from the scare he gave me and I'm thinking God this guy is big. the Game warden broke the silence asking us if we had fishing license's, Chun pulled his out and showed him, he looked at it and asked Mr chun a few questions in a low barely audible voice, Now I was expecting a booming voice like darth Vader to be coming from this giant man not this low polite voice. He turned to me and asked if I had a license?after I got my heart out of my throat from the scare I said no I am 16 and didn't need it yet, he asked my name and where I lived as we didn't carry I.D back then so I told him, he turned to my brother who I could see was shaking and asked if he had a License and my brother said no I don't need one I am 16, he asked him his name and where he lived, My brother told him, the Game warden smiled and said good luck fellas and walked away. I can't hardly remember my own name but I will never forget the Game wardens name, It was Carl Brushaber, not quite sure if the spelling is correct.
when he asked us our names and they were the same last name and address and we were brothers that he knew after talking to us, I gave my age at 16 which I was and my brother gave his age at 16, we weren't twins, we didn't look any thing alike, Brushaber didn't ask our birth dates which he could have very easily but he didn't.
I think he saw that we were pretty poor by our fishing gear and clothes and figured my brother couldn't pay a fine with out a real hard ship so he let him slide and just walked away.
where we were fishing was pretty open, I for the life of me to this day couldn't figure out how such a big man could silently walk up on us, I saw him after this many times over the years, he didn't try to sneak up on any one but he did.
we called him the ghost after this day. He left a lasting impression on me to this day by having compassion for my brother. I later went into Law enforcement my self and many people over the years benifited from Carl Brushabers treatment of us in 1957, in my work I let some go and I wanted to tell them about Carl and how he treated people but it would take to long so I just let them slide. I think Carl would approve where ever he is.
Steve

[One Eye]

Awesome story! I really appreciate you sharing this. It is amazing how people and events can shape the rest of your life. It sounds like the "Ghost" is definitely a driving force in your life.

Dan

[YPSIFLY]

Thanks for sharing your story.

I would love to see what Ford Lk. looked like in the 50's. I wish CO Brushaber was still on patrol in the Ypsi area.

[Engsetter]

Awesome story is right! There is the law and there is the spirit of the law. Enforcement of regulations is not cut and dry; nor should it be. By CO’s (or any law enforcement officers) looking the other way and treating some law breakers with compassion, they are showing that they have a heart; it happens everyday somewhere I’m sure.

By having an appropriate look at life and peoples current circumstances an officer can earn the respect of the community on his beat. But by being a bully an officer is usually a well known and highly disliked individual. Treating people with respect can go a long way.

[Sailor]

This story hits home-I'll bet it finds Boehr with
a knowing smile on his face!

[Banditto]

Great story once again. But did you ever notice that the great big lumbering tall CO's are usually the nice ones who don't push the issues. And the 4'10" CO's with high pitched voices are the ones who try to make it look like you are stealing the crown jewels and give you the business even when you are legal?

[dongiese]

Heck how about when your wading @ tippy and the hot little number comes walking up and starts a conversation. 5 minutes later she opens her jacket and i'm thinking wahoo:SHOCKED: , but it wasn't that she was showing me her badge and asked to see my licesne.

[magnumhntr]

Heck how about when your wading @ tippy and the hot little number comes walking up and starts a conversation. 5 minutes later she opens her jacket and i'm thinking wahoo:SHOCKED: , but it wasn't that she was showing me her badge and asked to see my licesne.

http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/lachen/laughing-smiley-018.gifhttp://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/lachen/laughing-smiley-018.gifhttp://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/lachen/laughing-smiley-018.gifhttp://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/lachen/laughing-smiley-018.gifhttp://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/lachen/laughing-smiley-018.gif

[trout]

Great story again!
I have a few CO stories of my youth but they'll remain offline :)

I will say this, "as a kid I could run really fast in the dark" :)

[boehr]

Another nice aticle. I feel the same way about Michigan hunters much of the time. Sometimes I don't feel that way too but soon come to the realization that it is only a few that make the other 98% seem bad at times because that other 98% are great guys and gals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2004/12/06/outdoors/00lead.txt

By BOB LAMB / Tribune Outdoors Editor

At times, hunters and game wardens may disagree over hunting regulations, whether the law has been broken, whether a warning is warranted or why a citation is issued.

However, in times of danger or worse yet, tragedy, you can be assured that hunters and wardens will come to each other's rescue or stand side by side.

I received an e-mail several days ago from Randy Stark, Wisconsin's chief warden. Stark's message was about the deaths of six hunters and two more injured in a shooting spree in Sawyer County on Nov. 21, the second day of the state's traditional nine-day gun-deer hunting season.

I read the message, and then read it again. It brought a lump to my throat and I choked back tears thinking about the families that were left behind in the wake of this horrific loss of life.

Despite the fact that this massacre was over a deer stand and trespassing on private property, it wasn't about hunting.

Wisconsin's age-old sport of deer hunting may have received an undeserved black eye because of this tragedy. However, the way hunters responded minutes after this homicide should also be mentioned.

For that, we turn to Dean Gullickson, a conservation warden in Chippewa Falls, Wis., who was involved in the initial response and investigation.

"As the media reports go out on this terrible tragedy, I'd like to tell you what I experienced from the Wisconsin hunters I contacted last Sunday.

Many Wisconsin hunters found themselves in the middle of a hot zone as we tried to apprehend the suspect wanted for multiple homicides. I asked them to leave the area for their personal safety. Not one of them complained about giving up their Sunday hunt.

The vast majority of them volunteered to stay and assist in the apprehension of this suspect. I was offered coffee, use of ATV's, use of firearms, use of cell phones and use of hunting camps.

When told, ‘Thank you, but we would just as soon have all civilians leave the area so that no one else would get hurt,' they thanked me and relayed to me their thanks to the other wardens and officers for what we were doing.

One hunter said, ‘I'm sure glad to see the wardens here.'

I said to one hunter, ‘I am sorry that we have to interrupt your hunt.'

I then explained the situation to him.

He said, ‘No need to be sorry, I'm sure glad we have you guys out here. Be safe.'

I was overwhelmed by the number of hunters who were willing to put themselves in harm's way to stand side by side with wardens and other law enforcement officers to apprehend the suspect. All this, with a DNR airplane circling overhead and the reality that the suspect was nearby.

Doubtless, this tragedy will leave a cloudy mark in the history of deer hunting in Wisconsin.

As for this warden, I am refreshed knowing that we have so many Wisconsin hunters who are willing to help us when the need is there. I am humbled by their actions and proud to serve them as a Wisconsin conservation warden."

[steve ypsi]

Bumping this for the new people on the board who haven't read it, there are 5000 more members than when I first ran this story,

[beerun]

I'm kinda new here, but I've read every story that you have posted since my being a member here. And in every short story it feels like I'm right there! Thank you for sharing another great read :)

[Ron84]

Cheers for the great story Steve. ;)

[2PawsRiver]

Another Great Story :)

As outdoorsmen we all have had encounters with the COs in our areas, mine was in the UP, during the early 70s. He not only enforced the law, but had a great deal of information for a teenager just getting started, and alot of patience when he encounter me and the other Kids I hunted and fished with, sometimes a little crossways with the law. He only had to chew us out a couple of times and somehow always knew how to contact our parents. :)

As with you, years later I got into Law Enforcment and didn't realize how much I had learned from him until I did :)

[trouttime]

Steve,
I am beginning to think that you cannot tell a bad story ;) Thanks again for another great read!!

[steve ypsi]

2PawsRiver
I didn't realize untill many years later how Much Carl Effected the way I carried myself in my Job in police work, he was one of the reasons I got into police work, I couldn't get into the game division at the time, it was pretty well filled
Thanks every one for the comments but if it wasn't for Carl I couldn't have written the story.. His few words that day changed my life for ever. it will be 20 years in Oct that I have been retired and 48 years ago that Carl entered my life and I remember it like it was yesterday. I also am thankfull for this board that allows me to post stories and especially this one about Carl so his Name can live on as one of the decent people. I wish I could have told him about My life after that day and how he changed it.

[David G Duncan]

Steve,

Thanks!

I enjoyed your inspiring story even more the second time.

Wish you great health and happiness! And hope some more stories from your past will come our way through this forum in the near future.

Thanks Again!

[D_Hunter]

As someone that works very closely with the Conservation Officers, I can also testify how when things get "tough" for the CO....hunters/fisherman/outdoorsman are the 1st to offer their own equipment and manpower.....


I also have a story of meeting a CO as a kid. He is still on the force and now I talk to him several times a week. He didn't remember the time he let me go with a warning about taking a bass out of season ( I was about 13) but we talked about this a while back and I thanked him for it after all these years. He was almost embarrassed about it.

[ScottC]

Bumping this for the new people on the board who haven't read it, there are 5000 more members than when I first ran this story,
Thanks for the bump. I am one of the new people that have not read this. Great story.

[Fordfreak]

Steve,
You look farmiliar to me, Ive probably seen you around town before.:)
I too grew up fishing Ford Lake at that very same place you were talking about. I also have had a few encounters with the local CO, in every instance, the officer was polite, courteous, and very professional. He even allowed me to ask him questions about his line of work, which took up at least 30 minutes of his time.
That is a very good smallmouth spot isnt it? Of course now I have a boat and can fish the whole lake...

Fordfreak

[steve ypsi]

Steve,
You look farmiliar to me, Ive probably seen you around town before.:)
I too grew up fishing Ford Lake at that very same place you were talking about. I also have had a few encounters with the local CO, in every instance, the officer was polite, courteous, and very professional. He even allowed me to ask him questions about his line of work, which took up at least 30 minutes of his time.
That is a very good smallmouth spot isnt it? Of course now I have a boat and can fish the whole lake...

Fordfreak
I don't get up town much in the last 8 years, I worked at Builders square part time about 1996 for 3 years in the hardware dept until a friend got sick and I quit.
If you see me I have a white chevy trk and almost always have the little dog in the photo in the trk, she will be hanging out the window

[brokenarrow]

Steve
Great story, I grew up as a son of a narcotics detective. Most of the officers that hung around my father, I knew very well and spent some time with many of them. The story's you would hear from the older policemen are priceless. I was told once (probably around 1979) that times are changing and so are our officers. (This was told to me around a campfire while bullhead fishing with a few policemen and my father) One guy said that there are a few different types of crimminals and he treats each one differently. They all are law breakers/violaters etc. This sticks in my head 25 years later. He said there are guys who unknowingly violate/break the law, guys who knowingly break the law and are ashamed of it. There are fellas that knowingly break the law and just don't care, and then there are true crimminals that should be put away. Said each kind of guy he try's to treat differently for each kind will benifit the most from a different treatment.
Sounds to me like Carl was from the same gene pool.
I still believe that the old way of handling situations could still be useful in some instance but I fear that too many times "now a day" the respect is just not there by the majority of our youth. Not all of them but more than it should be.
Anyway thanks for sharing that with us "again"

[ArrowFlinger]

Heck how about when your wading @ tippy and the hot little number comes walking up and starts a conversation. 5 minutes later she opens her jacket and i'm thinking wahoo:SHOCKED: , but it wasn't that she was showing me her badge and asked to see my licesne.


She showed you hers, you got to show her yours :lol:

[steve ypsi]

Bumping to let the new members read
This was my first check by a game warden 49 years ago,

[marksman72]

I live and hunt near Allegan Co. just SW of Grand Rapids. When we were younger, we used to Goose Hunt the Todd Farm Refuge Area in Fennville. Back then and today, you may hunt in specific zones around the refuge area but not in it. During the 80's there was a specific officer that was named "The Ghost" because, as you mentioned, he could sneak out of nowhere and check for stamps, licenses and shell count. He would walk out of corn rows, brush and even the ground! It does have an lasting impression on you especially when your younger. Gives me chills! :yikes:

[ArmyHunter]

Great story. It is amazing how people influence our lives and shape our future. There can never be enough positive role models.

Thanks for sharing your tale.

[Bucky]

thanks for sharing your great story.

[Pauly3511]

good stuff super story, I had a similar thing happen when I was younger with a DNR officer and I will never forget it. thanks for sharing

[SgtSabre]

Good story with a good moral.

As a new LEO for our local county parks, I have planned to make checking fishing licenses a point on my next patrol cycle since March 31st has now passed and new licenses are required. I will keep your story in mind as I do this.

[All_Buizness]

Hey Steve,

Very nice story, It is good to hear how people of authority can influence you especially when it comes to making the right decisions and getting into law enforcement yourself to help make a change. This had happened to me as well at that age and I was so impacted from the positive influence of several police officers I too became a police officer. I too wanted to treat people like I was treated with dignity and respect. I have been in law enforcement for 12 years and I train every new guy the importance of dignity and respect and that sometimes people should get breaks. Now it is makes me feel great to watch these youger officers giving breaks and and hearing the citizens talk positive about our officers.

Hope to see ya around sometime Steve. I work only a few minutes south of Ypsi.

[steve ypsi]

All_Buizness
Did you Know Ray walton or Jay I believe he works at your Department

[steve ypsi]

bump for the new people

[Backwoods-Savage]

Steve, it is good that you bring up some of your stories for the new members. This story really tells what kind of a person you really are. All heart. Thanks for telling all those great ones.