Court Information, Civil Restitution, Statutes, Regulations & Public Notices

Court Information

Texas Game Wardens and Park Police Officers are commissioned peace officers and file court cases with a variety of courts, depending upon the individual location and situation. Court clerks and officers alike use a variety of tools to classify and dispose of those cases. Some of those tools are contained here.

TPWD Violation Codes/Cites: Listing of Water Safety, Fishing, Wildlife and Other violation codes
Arrest Citation Disposition Report - Court (PWD 460A) | PDF: Form for court clerks and officers to submit fines to the agency
Officer Disposition Report - (PWD 460B) | PDF: Form for officers to submit citation dispositions

Civil Restitution

In addition to the criminal penalty for hunting and fishing violations, the department will seek the civil recovery value for the loss or damage to wildlife resources. Failure to pay the civil recovery value will result in the department's refusal to issue a license, tag or permit. During this period, it is a criminal offense- punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine ranging from $500 to $4,000, or both- to hunt, fish, or participate in any activity that requires a license or permit issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife. For questions, please email the Civil Restitution Department at civil.restitution@tpwd.texas.gov.

Civil Restitution Payment Options

At this time, we do not process online payments, and debit or credit cards cannot be accepted. To submit a payment, please provide a money order or cashier’s check made payable to Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Mail Payments To

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Attn: LES Revenue

4200 Smith School Road

Austin, TX 78744

Payment Plans

If you would like to request a payment plan, please contact the Civil Restitution Department at civil.restitution@tpwd.texas.gov.

License Reinstatement

A person who seeks reinstatement of license privileges following license revocation, denial or suspension must apply for license privilege reinstatement and pay a $100 fee.

NOTE: Texas is a member of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (IWVC) which allows member states to share information about wildlife violators and to deny licensure to persons who have failed to comply with conservation law in member states. For example, if a person has had their hunting, fishing or trapping privileges suspended in any member state, the suspension may be recognized by any other member state. For more information call (512) 389-4381.

Statutes & Regulations

The law enforcement officers employed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have the same powers and privileges as any other state peace officers. They have the same authority as a sheriff, for instance, to arrest, serve criminal or civil process, and require aid in serving criminal or civil process, and may arrest without a warrant any person in this state for violating the law. The primary duty of the agency’s law enforcement personnel is to enforce statutes (for example, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code and the Texas Penal Code) enacted by the Texas Legislature, as well as regulations (sometimes referred to as “proclamations”) enacted by the Parks and Wildlife Commission under authority delegated by the legislature. In addition, Texas game wardens hold federal commissions issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Commerce for purposes of enforcing federal fisheries and wildlife laws in Texas.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Code (Statutes): Statutes passed by the Texas legislature
Texas Parks and Wildlife Administrative Code (Regulations): Regulations passed by the agency commission
Federal Dove Baiting Law: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, Dove Hunting and Baiting overview
Federal Waterfowl Baiting Law: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, Waterfowl Hunting and Baiting overview
Federal Fishing Regulations: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council overview of federal fishing regulations
Reading Statutes and Bills: Reference from the Texas Legislative Council

Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (IWVC)

Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact logo
49 states are now members; Hawaii remains a non-member.

What is the IWVC?

The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact is a national agreement among 49 U.S. states, to share information about hunting, fishing, and trapping violations. If someone violates wildlife laws in one member state or has their permits revoked or suspended, such actions may affect their privileges in other member states.

How does it work?

Violations that lead to license revocation, suspension, or failure to appear in court in one state can result in license revocation or suspension in other states. Furthermore, non-residents who commit wildlife violations can often be cited (instead of arrested/booked), if that’s allowed under the law in the charging state.

If a non-resident fails to comply (e.g., doesn't pay a fine or show up in court), the charging state, their home state, and all other member states can suspend their hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. When the violation is resolved or the suspension period ends, all states can reinstate the violators’ license privileges.

Why this matters

The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact allows member states to treat non-resident wildlife violators as if they were residents, enabling enforcement through citation and personal recognizance rather than arrest, booking, or bonding. Furthermore, poachers or violators can’t simply cross state lines to avoid consequences, the suspensions and convictions will now follow them wherever they go. Ultimately, this levels the playing field; wildlife laws matter in every state, and those who break them can’t escape consequences by treating state lines as loopholes.

Texas Rules & Details

Texas is a member of the IWVC
Under Texas law (31 TAC § 55.675), TPWD has established policy to share information with other states, appoint an administrator for the compact, refuse issuing licenses/tags to those under suspension in other states, and process nonresident violators from compact states in the same way as Texas residents.
There is a process for license reinstatement after suspension or revocation. Any outstanding compliance issues like fines, civil restitution, or the license suspension period must be resolved. There is also a license reinstatement fee of $100.00.