Remember that University of Wisconsin student who was recently tracked down by the Madison PD after they received frantic calls about a camo-clad man with a gun? Yeah, he was only a hunter returning from a less than fruitful day in the woods. It was probably easy to write that incident off, though, given that Madison is really just a big, hippie-infested college town best known for its lefty politics and being the birthplace of The Onion. That kind of crazitude could never happen elsewhere in the Eat Cheese or Die State…other than maybe Milwaukee, right? Au contraire, mon frere . . .
About 40 miles southeast of the capitol, in New Richmond, hunter Nathan Pieters was similarly ambulating his way home from an unproductive hunting expedition the other day and prompted some hysterical calls to the police, too. He was subsequently stopped by two members of the local constabulary. Nathan graciously took it upon himself to write up the incident himself and send it to us. Here’s his account:
On Monday, November 25th, the third day of the gun deer season in Wisconsin, I decided I wanted to go hunting. I hadn’t been able to get out thus far in the season. The only problem was I had to split use of the family car and ended up walking home. I was at the Betterly Wildlife Production Area for several hours, which was approximately five miles from my home and had told my family that I would be walking home after hunting and would be home in time to pick up my kindergartener. Accompanying me on this trip were my Mosin nagant for the field and a Stevens 320 12 ga, for the wooded areas . . .
After hunting, I unloaded both guns, secured the shotgun to my backpack and engaged the bolt safety on my Mosin, which I could only carry slung over my shoulder. I then walked up County GG the mile or two to 140th and all my encounters were positive. A few hunters in pickup trucks stopped and asked me where I was hunting, if I’d seen anything, had I got anything yet and I had a pleasant encounter with a mail carrier when I stopped for water.
I walked up 140th for about 10 or 15 minutes on the sidewalk when a large lady in a grubby red sweater drove by in a small car and began having visible fits, flailing her hands and making it obvious that she was calling 911. It made me laugh a bit and I continued on my way fully expecting to talk to the local PD.
About five minutes later, a New Richmond Police Dept SUV pulled up along side me and an officer asked me if I was out hunting. I responded that I was and was just headed home. He told me that they were getting calls from people who were concerned and was just checking on it, saying that the reports were about a man walking with “uncased long guns.” I recognize BS when I see it, so I corrected him, telling him that it would be a crime to cover them, that open carry was constitutional and referenced Wisconsin Attorney General Van Hollen’s 2009 memorandum regarding open carry. I also informed him that an individual should not be stopped just for the fact that he is openly carrying a firearm.
He then asked for ID and I politely declined, stating that’s my right. He asked again and why I declined and I politely told him that I had done nothing wrong and since he had to ask, he had no right to my ID. He told me he had to check it out. I agreed and told him he did and then I asked him if I was suspected of a crime, which he tried to evade answering.
I asked again and he said no, and I then asked if I was being detained or was free to go. He said “hold on just a minute” and began to head to his cruiser, maybe for the radio, and I asked again if I was being detained, a bit more forcefully, but trying to remain polite and diplomatic. He said no and I told him that I had kids to pick up from school and was still a ways from home and needed to go. He said “OK” and I then said goodbye and waved.
I didn’t get 10 or 20 steps when a St. Croix County deputy skidded to a stop at the curb beside me and demanded my ID, which I again declined. She told me that they were “fielding a lot of calls” and that I was being a problem. She claimed that I was close to a school zone and I corrected her saying that I was close to the 1000 foot limit, but was definitely outside it. She started fishing for a crime by asking me if I was wearing my blaze orange the whole time I was hunting, which I was (I don’t want to be shot – nobody does. We shoot the deer, right?)
She asked me if I was using expanding ammo, which I was. I told her to get to the point and she told me that I wasn’t doing anything wrong and acknowledged that it was my right to open carry and then offered me a “ride.” I asked where to, and she didn’t answer. At that point, I told her “No, I don’t really trust you or know you and I think I’m just going to walk.”
She then began to get louder and told me that I was too close to a school and was scaring people and that pickup was beginning soon to which I replied “I know, I need to be there to pick up my own kid and you’re going to make me late. Goodbye.” I then proceeded to continue south down 140th and about a half mile or so later she pulled up behind me again, this time almost hitting me with her cruiser. She jumped out and yelled at me that “we are fielding a lot of calls and if we continue to receive them we are going to do something.” I asked “like what?” and she told me “you will be going to jail.”
At that point I got angry and told her: “No, I will not be going to jail. That is a violation of my Constitutional rights. Leave me alone or I will get an attorney and sue you.” I then turned and walked away, but unsnapped my Smith & Wesson SD40, and the jacket pocket containing my BUG just in case she attacked me. I continued along 140th to 157th and went to a neighbor’s house, and asked for help and permission to cross their private property to make it home safely.
Throughout the encounter, I was taking pictures on my cellphone of the deputies following me. At one point, she was just a few yards behind me and when I turned to take a picture, she sped off and the other backed up. At other times, she hung back a couple hundred feet.
And people wonder why cops are hated so much?
From my own observation of Glock malfunctions, a leading cause of malfunctions is excessively dirty magazines causing failures to feed. I don’t have stats or anything like that, but have observed this numerous times when Glock operators do combat reloads on the range. After dropping the mags in the dirt a few times, the rounds will get hung up in the mag. Again, no stats or anything. Just what I have observed. Under normal conditions, and making sure the mags are clean, this is unlikely to happen
4 guns to hunt deer? Call me a FUDD but this sounds more like another open carry zealot out to prove a point…
Note carefully I am not defending the cops in particular the female if this is an accurate version. She needs more training if so. But this starting to smell like the guy in tx who the jury found to be causing a problem de
It shouldn’t matter. And you must have missed the part where it would have been illegal for him to case his long guns.
A rifle, shotgun and pistol is not much for going out into the woods and hunting. That’s standard for many.
There’s other game than deer when you hunt.
It’s really annoying when you hunt and find no deer sign and squirrels are everywhere and you didn’t bring a shotgun or .22.
When I would deer hunt with my grandfather as a kid, he always had a 12 ga. with him as well for taking a few dove if the deer were not present.
“We’re fielding a lot of calls…” Is it a crime to do something legal, that just happens to look suspicious to others?
‘Cause you’d think the police would be satisfied with finding out that the MWAG isn’t one.
The only ting the cop did right, and it should have happened immediately after their first conversation, was to stand off a reasonable distance and make sure he was just a law-abiding hunter heading home. Observation of a potential suspect is one thing, bullying and harassment of a citizen not committing a crime is another.
I just got back from hunting. You handled it better than I would. I’ve had it with morons.
In the article:
—
Above all, Shilts urged the need for the public to trust law enforcement officials.
“We cannot do our jobs if we don’t have the public’s trust,” Shilts said. “It just doesn’t work. If the public doesn’t trust law enforcement, this whole thing isn’t going to work.”
—
Hey sherriff, maybe if your
officersthugs weren’t so hostile and aggressive you might gain a little trust. You can’t demand trust, you have to earn it.“but unsnapped my Smith & Wesson SD40, and the jacket pocket containing my BUG just in case she attacked me”……. WTF kind of drugs are you on? Sounds like your just asking for trouble to me. Seriously google map the area and there were other ways to travel that were not within a block or two of 2 elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. He could have traveled on County Rd GG took a left onto 150th st.and then a right onto 160th ave to get to 157. I would pull this post down and not give this clown the attention he craves
Yes there were and I was not going to walk on the side of a road for any longer than I had to. A hunter was just hit and killed recently, wearing blaze orange no less. Sidewalks are safer and legal when outside a school zone. 1001 feet or 1300, doesn’t matter. Legal is legal.
Agreed. I was enjoying the article until that line jumped out at me.
Anyone who thinks they will prevail in either court or the media ‘defending themselves’ against the police hasn’t thought long and hard about what they are doing. He went from polite 2A activist to something else at that point.
The equilibrium between the government fearing the people and the people fearing the government has been lost. The government hasn’t feared the people for decades, and recently the peoples’ fear of the government has grown exponentially. The government’s response, esentially, has been to give the finger to the people. Too many people see the country and the government as one. That’s why they’re reluctant to openly oppose the government. The govenment and the country are not the same. Eventually the people will have to take the country back from the government, or be enslaved by it.
Sounds like a cool project.
I have my doubts as to whether it ever gets picked up in Hollywood. They’ve had all the time in the world to fix their interpretation of a sword being drawn from a scabbard, and they just don’t care. They like the sound they have because it’s dramatic. The same would probably go for the silencer. The real sound is awesome, but Hollywood’s fake sound is a lot more dramatic.
It would be nice to start hearing these sounds in movies, though. Just one little tiny bit of subliminal authenticity for the masses.
She jumped out and yelled at me that “we are fielding a lot of calls and if we continue to receive them we are going to do something.”
Something like go back to the station and help answer those calls instead of harassing me before I call my lawyer.
You were well within your rights, and I would not have done anything different myself, but don’t get the idea that this is over, my friend. If they took the trouble, they will have had no problem discovering your name and address. Expect that “knock on the door in the dead of night”, and give your lawyer a heads-up. Would be a good idea to ask for a number where he, or his designated associate can be reached instantly at any hour. If he refuses, find a real attorney, not a wills, divorces and bankruptcy clerk.
20 years ago, we’d make cross country pilgrimage from Indiana and Ohio to Minnesota for Thanksgiving, driving across the state of Wisconsin, to my childlike mind, everyone in WI hunted, there were deer strapped across car hoods and roofs and hanging out of trunks, blood dripping from pickup tailgates, everywhere, I’m a little shocked that people in WI freak out about a guy with a hunting rifle or shotgun during hunting season…weird.
I was good with everything done until this…. “I then turned and walked away, but unsnapped my Smith & Wesson SD40, and the jacket pocket containing my BUG just in case she attacked me.”
She is still a law enforcement officer even if she wrong. Better to fight it in court for her falsely arresting you, then a shooting occurring. I don’t know of a single circumstance where drawing down on a cop is right, or a smart move. It will almost always wind up with someone dead and the survivor isn’t exactly a winner either. I support police who are trying to do their job, obviously in this situation she was wrong, but my mind never would have gone to even touching or thinking about going for my gun.
“My feelings about guns are that they are scary and dangerous.” And with a bit or knowledge and training, those feelings of fear and dangerousness can be easily overcome. I wish you the best, young man.
Overall you did what you should have done…
But ” I then turned and walked away, but unsnapped my Smith & Wesson SD40, and the jacket pocket containing my BUG just in case she attacked me.”
I dunno about that one…
Revolution would most likely result in anarchy. You always try peaceful, civil resistance at first. It has worked multiple times. Armed resistance is only as a last resort and you try to keep that as controlled as possible (abide by the laws of war, no killing innocent women and children, etc…). Otherwise the violence will go out of control and your new, replacement government has a good chance of being tyrannical.
With some of the stuff that is said on this site, and how influential it is in the gun world, I would bet that the government monitors this site 😀
I’m certain of that. In the form of DHS, who put out a contract to do just that. How are things in the DC Fusion Center? Quiet so far?
for the record, I was watching those hearings that day, for reasons I can’t explain. maybe I wanted some background noise on…. like white noise. Maybe I was just playing with the new channels my uber-ultra-cheap-ass-basic-cable lineup suddenly decided to give me (yes massa! thank ye massa!)
all I could think of while watching that hearing is… Why haven’t we impeached this motherfucker? (president)
Talk about a load of crap…Completely bogus review.
Own C-9 and many other pistols.
Is it cheap? Yes
Is it ugly? Yes
Is it heavy? Yes
Is it accurate? Yes
Is it dependable? With a Kel-Tec polish, absolutely.
I figure the reviewer had his head so far up his butt, he couldn’t hit a barn with a basketball. What a crock.
He might possibly be . . . the most interesting man in the world. Really. And he might even look the part when his beard grays a little.
Stay thirsty my friends.
Politicians lie and scheme. I was pretty sure of that fifty years ago.
I’m not familiar with WI laws, and I’m far to lazy to look them up on my phone, but I can see her offer of a ride being an attempt at a backdoor charge.
In MI, where I’m from, and in OH, where am I am now and assuming I read the law correctly before I moved, the only way to legally transport a long arm in the cab of a vehicle is cased.
I can imagine had he would’ve been hit with an illegal transport….
Um, the case subverted the Second Amendment because the Supreme Court allowed a case to proceed without the defendant or any attorneys representing the defendant!!!
It’s counsel, not council.
Re Duranty – there is no doubt he was an apologist for Stalin, but your statement is factually incorrect. The New York Times does not award the Pulitzer Prize – Columbia University does, and in the case of Duranty, the Pulitzer was awarded for NYT articles he’d written prior to the famine.
The NYT did support rescinding the award posthumously. It was Pulitzer that decided against it. You can read why in their own words at http://www.pulitzer.org/durantypressrelease
Stating incorrect information like this in an otherwise OK article doesn’t help.
Thanks for the correction. I will see about an edit. If you look, I already caught the spelling error.
That man does not deserve to hold the glorious C96…
So is the paperback any more effective for wiping my ass with than the hardback?
Great article.
FDR was without a doubt the Obama of the 1930s/40s – and vice versa.
Abolish the NFA.
I know this is old but I found a 9mm baby eagle for $300 and really like how it felt. Is this a decent price?
I read Gun Guys and liked it very much. I didn’t agree with everything in it, but the man is not a dolt and his words flow nicely. The most boring thing in the world to me is reading a book with which I agree completely.
There is a lot to think about before you can safely be discharging a gun in the typical house. Do you know where everyone else who might be in the house is? Could the bullet go through a wall and hit someone outside or at a neighbor’s house. Could the deer hit you at the wrong time and cause you to shoot yourself? Do you know where and how to shoot a deer to actually kill it or is your hunting experience for something else like elephants or ducks. Do you have the right kind of gun for killing deer? Has the deer left while you were thinking about the questions above?
Identifying some of the people who for mental health reasons are dangerous with guns could stop some of the violence, but it’s hard to do. Another problem is that the person who owns the guns may not be the one with the mental health problems as happened in Sandy Hook. If insurance was required that would pay victims even if someone other than the owner did the shooting, then the insurers would be asking questions about inappropriate family members. Authorities in some provinces of Canada do ask about families of gun permit applicants.
The one piece of gear I’m not hearing about is the smartphone with a hands-free pic, video and upload app.
If anybody knows of a good one of these for Android 4.1.2, I’d be glad for the recommendation.
Calling the Sheriff is a good step. I wonder if a conversation with him/her or one of the friendly cops would be interesting now. “Hey, about that kerfuffle the other day. The way that escalated surprised the hell out of me. Can you help me understand what’s going on here?”
Purchased the SA stainless “loaded” 1911 in 2007. Always wanted to own a 1911, read the reviews and chose this over a Glock. Out of the box could not hit the broad side of a barn, dealer could not believe it and found out for himself when he shot it, sent it back to SA, couple weeks became months… got it back and retured to the range and found very little improvement. Looks great, no big deal to take down and clean, however there is very little confidence level with this gun! It is currently decorating the interior of a safe. Very sorry I made this choice!
P.S, will be purchasing Glock 21 4th Gen within the next six months : )
It scares me that this is just crazy enough to be true. Good luck getting people to care who don’t already though.
People will give up anything for convenience methinks. Hence or current predicaments with the governement.
How about Mom’s Demand Teacher Training for Active Shooter Scenarios? Just sayin…
I just received 4 10 round Pmags and none would hold open the bolt, the follower seems to get stuck opening the bolt catch, I opened the Pmags and wiped with Armor All, I soaked them for 10 minutes assembled the mags, I only wiped off the top of followers they work great now no problems, I guess new mag is tight and to much friction with the spring and mag body, this may allow some break in time for mag to loosen up.
My heart is broken too… what about my heart?
When these “attacks” occur we always have these protesters and politicians waving the bloody shirt and basically… guilt tripping you into relinquishing your rights. My heart is broken about this – where is my sympathy and attention?
I’m going to a gun show right now after reading this.
http://grandamericanarmsshows.com/
I’m through. I have zero empathy for Newtown or its people. They are the poster boys insanity and for not protecting your children.
The very fact we are discussing the possibility of armed rebellion is a step towards it becoming a reality. In my opinion, The Government, (not Your Government), has been telegraphing it’s intention to scrap The Constitution in it’s entirety. The 2nd Amendment is just the easiest target to begin the process. If you step back and look at the overall picture, it might look as if individual freedom has already been subjugated to the few that demand special laws and exemptions, and they get them. It is called currying favor (IE: buying votes), not for one group, but for many groups. Some time ago it was reported 60% of the US population identified themselves as being part of one diverse group, or another. They are united in their diversity. The other 40%? No word on those.
The tactical looks similar to the Sako TRG 42. I wish I had the money for one.
I submitted mine come on guys keep the comments going
Will the dark truth about leftist icons be told along with their triumphs?
Those damn Republicans once again voting to take our guns away. /sarc
Nothing wrong with having a loaded gun on your lap while playing cards at home. Never know when the JBTs are going to bust down the door. I personally don’t play cards or keep a pistol on my lap, but I won’t knock the practice.
By the way,these guys are stupid idiots,completely asinine way of approaching crime,but then again they’re liberals so what do you expect.
I always say” if you want to live in Stupidville do as the Stupidvillians” !
You guys might want to be careful who you champion here. You’ve got one side of the story-his. He’s known on various internet forums under the screen name Wimwag, and he has quite the arrest record. The following link is Wisconsin’s court records. Any entries with a full birthday are criminal cases. My guess is that he open carries because he will get denied a CCW permit, and that’s hard to do here.
https://wcca.wicourts.gov/pager.do;jsessionid=9A3AC03856ED0EF514AAA1BA13E1D734.render6?cacheId=67B1A37C05C0E102E86840CC5EB20C35&offset=0&sortColumn=0&sortDirection=DESC
Lol I have the permit. I open carry when I want and conceal when I want. I do whichever because i can. That day I was concealing two handguns. Today I will conceal because it’s cold and I don’t feel like tucking my jacket in.
;-). Careful who you listen to Mike. Doug Huffman has been stalking me since this incident. PM the moderator on opencarry.org and ask. Or don’t and be the idiot you seem to be.
Haters everywhere.
I love it when people knee jerk and react a way they’re told to. My advice, read the article. The Sheriff sided with me. That guy would be the deputy’s boss. Top dog in the county. Have a nice day.
By the way, permit number 124886. Molon labe
Anyone care to say where the snowball falls on this hill? We know it will be a monster by the time it hits bottom. I do believe it’d be smarter not to give it a push. I live it a heavy Caucasian pop. town in Kansas, being as I appear. I ain’t white to them,Cops, I can relate to the numerous pointless cop stops, harassment / racial profiling. I keep seeing mention of polls, ballots, voting etc to change things. How the hell do people think we got to this point to begin with?! I agree peaceful means are better and to outthink the opposition regardless its form. But….