Game Warden Field Notes
July 28, 2017
Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030
Note: This item is more than six years old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
Too Fond of the Fawn
A Bexar County game warden was called by Alamo security about a woman walking a white-tailed fawn on a leash. When she arrived on the scene, the warden questioned her about picking up the fawn on the side of the road. The woman claimed she came to the Alamo to take Fourth of July family photos. The game warden tried to explain the state law forbidding possession of game animals, but she would not listen and became very upset. The fawn was seized and taken to a licensed Texas Parks and Wildlife rehabilitator and charges are pending. Tourists were educated at the Alamo about attempting to take game animals as pets.
Illegal Netting Isn’t Easy
While patrolling Willacy County, a game warden received an Operation Game Thief crime stopper call regarding three individuals who were possibly working a gill net within a public waterway on the west side of the county. After arriving at the location, the warden witnessed two exhausted individuals putting the final touches on a freshly set gill net. After a few minutes, the fishermen finally noticed they were being watched by a game warden and one of the individuals immediately said, “Well sir, I’m not going to deny it, you caught me.” The warden proceeded to inform the exhausted individuals that it was time to remove the illegal net from the water and receive citations. Cases are pending.
Hooping it Up
A game warden was patrolling north Toledo Bend Reservoir during the long Fourth of July weekend when he noticed two individuals in a small boat with what appeared to be a hoop net, which is illegal for use in Texas waters. The warden observed the subjects through his binoculars for a while as it appeared they were trying to find a location to place the net. The netters spotted the warden and attempted to flee, but were overtaken. Upon questioning, the subjects admitted to having already placed a hoop net in Texas waters and were cited for illegal means and methods. The case is pending.
Fizzled Out
Game wardens were patrolling the annual Fourth of July fireworks show on the Sabine River for water safety compliance. At the conclusion of the show, the wardens stopped a vessel for improper lighting. When the blue lights on the wardens’ boat were initiated, the subject would not stop his vessel and accelerated. Finally the wardens were able to get his attention to stop the vessel. The operator had an expired registration, one minor onboard was not wearing a personal floatation device and another was wearing a PFD improperly. The boat operator also exhibited signs of possible impairment and after failing a field sobriety test was arrested for boating while intoxicated. He also received a citation for child under 13 years of age not wearing a life jacket and multiple warnings. The case is pending.
Time for Plan B
A Real County game warden received a call near midnight from a ranch foreman about two kayakers who were stranded on the West Fork of the Frio River. The warden arrived on the scene and began visiting with the kayakers. They told him they put in around 4:30 p.m. and had only traveled approximately 6 miles. They told him they were planning to kayak to Concan. He advised them they were 25 miles from Concan by road. He also advised them to rethink their trip because they were going to have to drag their kayaks most of the trip due to the river being low because of the lack of rain. The warden took one of the kayakers back to their vehicle so they could load up their kayaks and come up with another plan. They were very thankful for the warden coming out so late to help them.
A, B, C, D, B, W, I
Travis County game wardens arrested two subjects for boating while intoxicated (BWI) on Lake Travis after observing the men switching driver’s seats. One of the wardens asked the original driver, who was wearing an ankle monitor, to recite his ABCs. After reciting a portion of the alphabet he stopped and was asked to continue, but stated, “No, I can’t actually.” This subject was placed under arrest for BWI. The second driver, who was already on probation for DWI, was hiding in the cabin of the boat and was subsequently arrested as well. The cases are pending.