I read the entire writeup. And offer my opinions from the GW side....

The OP violated two wildlife laws...by his own admission...and is now angry because a game warden did his job and discovered the violations. How do you think a game warden can see if your traps are marked/tagged without disturbing the set? He is allowed by law to do this and to seize traps set in violation. Dont have to return them either as illegally set traps are contraband, not just evidence. But, the OP said the NY GW did return them,and the OP is still unhappy.

The OP also ALLOWED the GW to conduct a consent search at his home and then got irritated because the GW didnt apologize for not finding any more violations. Seriously? THE OP made the choice to allow the warrantless search. The GW did his job by asking for consent. If refused that would have ended that.

The OP also states over and over that his trapping area is the most rural area in half the country then is puzzled why the GW found him and looked at him closer. The OP's sign was the ONLY sign there. It's easy to follow the only sign found. The GW kept looking closer because he found violations the first time he checked the OP. Would any of you do any different if you were a GW? Im gonna check you out if I'm not sure you are legal. Its the job!

All of us, as sportsmen and women, have an obligation to comply with wildlife laws and regs. The courts have ruled time and again that it is in the best interest of wildlife conservation to accept field compliance checks that are slightly more intrusive than what would be allowed at say a traffic stop for traffic violations. Research it if you think Im wrong. Take a look at the open fields doctrine too.

The OP is recreating on public land, but his story reads like he is inside his home. GW dont need probable cause to inspect/enforce wildlife laws in the outdoors, especially on public land. Even on private land reasonable suspicion will start the legal ball rolling. The GWs dont make any laws or set any regs. We do try to use common sense when we can but I see no harrassment here. Just a guy that caught standing a bit short and is irritated that he got caught.

A GW inspecting the legality of any trap is not considered "tampering."

I would think a trapper understood this.

But I see that's not the case. Could someone explain how a trap can be inspected for legal requirements (tag/name/lic #/jaw spread/etc without the set being disturbed?

I would like to know this because I can use the info to teach the next class of Ga game wardens in May 2021 how to do it.

A GW inspecting the legality of any trap is not considered "tampering."

I would think a trapper understood this.

But I see that's not the case. Could someone explain how a trap can be inspected for legal requirements (tag/name/lic #/jaw spread/etc without the set being disturbed?

I would like to know this because I can use the info to teach the next class of Ga game wardens in May 2021 how to do it.

Savell,
Im trying to get a ride-along with TX game wardens in the Coldsprings area. Sorta a state to state familiarity thing..

I'll watch out for the dude holding the beer bottle like a club. He'll get the first one..

Swamp , based on my conversation with a local warden they must think that it falls under the reasonable articulate suspension needed prior to disturbing the set. So why do you assume that something is wrong and needs to be inspected not that its correct and there are no violations?

I also believe that someone participating in a legal activity that said activity can't be grounds of suspicion.

If Tags are a Legal Requirement and You chose not to have them on your set traps you have no defense or excuse for not having them on your trap. You earned that Ticket. Your past experiences/feelings have no impact on the Law.

If it is against the law to set baited body Grip traps and your weasel traps meet the definition of a body grip trap.
Which by your description they do....You earned that ticket too...

As far as the harassment part, (Which it sounds like he is doing to me) His defense will be I am checking on a trapper with multiple violations.

You should have made him get a Warrant to look at your stuff. Anything he finds will not help you and can only hurt you.

... what surprised me most about the whole deal was a Game Warden actually got out of the truck and walked more than ten feet from it lol

Here in Ga, trapping is considered a commercial activity, requiring a commercial license. Therefore, inspections involving closer scrutiny is permitted. Some states may not be like Ga.

If a Trapper sets out 50 traps for Red Fox, the Game Warden has the right to dig up all 50 traps; to see if they are all legal? Does the Game Warden reset all those traps that they dug up ?

If a Trapper sets out 50 traps for Red Fox, the Game Warden has the right to dig up all 50 traps; to see if they are all legal? Does the Game Warden reset all those traps that they dug up ?

If we tag the poles on our under ice beaver sets the warden doesn't have to disturb the trap to find out who he's dealing with. He's still legally allowed to dig the traps out if he is so inclined. Might be worth asking your warden if a tag displayed above your set would suffice.

... what surprised me most about the whole deal was a Game Warden actually got out of the truck and walked more than ten feet from it lol