In my state the game warden can stop you in the field and check your license/permit, but only visually inspect your stuff. what that means is they can look in your boat, or look at you or look in your car, but cannot open a cooler, open a trunk, or ask you to surrender your game vest if you are in the field unless the game is visible such as a rooster tail feather protruding from the game bag. they can inspect your firearm, and even check the plug if there is a 3 shot restriction since the firearm is visible. they can observe if you are wearing hunter orange if required, and check the shells in your firearm to ensure they meet any nontoxic requirements, which includes unloading those in the chamber and magazine since they are part of the visible firearm. I am not a lawyer and dont push it with the wardens, and abide by the rules, so i try to be friendly and even ask them for information. but the warden always asks when fishing when i have fish in the live well with the lid shut if he can see my fish. i can agree or say no, but I always am happy to show him our catch. I am not sure of checkpoint rules which may differ between state wardens and USFW federal waterfowl guys.
