Game Warden Field Notes

[Hot4huntin]

News Release
Media Contact: Tom Harvey, 512-389-4453, tom.harvey@tpwd.state.tx.us
Aug. 13, 2009

Game Warden Field Notes

The following are excerpts from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.

"More Than" Wardens: On July 25th, two Coke and Sterling county wardens were patrolling Oak Creek. Checking a boat for water safety, they began to leave and observed the boat capsizing. After a quick turn back to the capsized boat, the wardens noticed the pair in the water. Life jackets were thrown to the two, but one was having difficulties and could not get into the life jacket and was going under water. One warden jumped into the water while the other placed the boat next to them and led both men into the boat and to safety.

Thirsty As the Fish: A warden found a group of underage drinkers and fishermen hiding on a canal leading off Balmorhea Lake. After some talking to, picking up litter, and a few citations for providing alcohol to minors and littering, the subjects went on their way a much wiser group of young men.

Mom, Dad, Can I have a White-Tailed Deer?: On July 22, A Grayson County warden cited a Pottsboro man for possessing a white-tailed deer fawn. The subject had the fawn tied up to his front porch with a collar around its neck. The subject was feeding it a pasteurized milk and instant mashed potato formula. Case pending.

Trigger Happy: On July 25, A Coryell County game warden was in the process of writing several no fishing license citations to a group of fishermen on Lake Waco when he heard multiple gunshots coming from the Corps of Engineers property nearby. Upon investigation, the warden found three people in the woods shooting without a permit for the property. During a safety check for more weapons and ammo, marijuana was found on one of the subjects. All three subjects received citations from the Corps of Engineers, and one subject was transported to jail for marijuana possession. The subjects stated that they had just gotten new guns and couldn’t wait to shoot them. Cases pending.

No Tail to Tell: On July 25th, two Polk County Game wardens received a tip while they were checking fishermen below the Lake Livingston Dam about an alligator that had been killed illegally. The wardens patrolled a short distance to a campground and found a discarded alligator carcass that was missing the tail. A short interview and a quick search around a nearby bowfishing campsite yielded the alligator tail and two suspects. The suspects admitted to killing the alligator in the early morning hours on the Trinity River while bowfishing and were charged with taking alligator in closed season and no CITES hide tag/permit. Cases and civil restitution on a 5.5-foot alligator pending.

Got What They Deserved: On July 26, A Calhoun County Game warden received a call that some young men were shooting alligators from a boat in a city park. The warden got a boat and vehicle description and headed that way. By the time the warden caught up with the group, the flat bottom boat had flown out the back of the pickup truck hauling it away. The warden, with the help of a Calhoun County Game Warden, seized the boat, which had no VIN plate on its transom. Soon the group showed up to claim their boat, but in fact it had been reported stolen the day prior. Charges filed for failure to secure load; more charges pending.

No Bueno: On July 26, a Zapata County Game was spotting on Falcon Lake for illegal activity. At approximately 8:30 p.m., the warden observed a commercial fishing vessel enter Texas waters from Mexico. He observed the occupants of the vessel setting out gill net until 9:30 p.m. On July 27 at approximately 3:00 a.m., he and another warden got a boat and headed to the area where the Mexican fishermen were observed the night before. After about an hour and a half of waiting, they saw a Mexican fishing vessel heading in their direction loaded with gill net. The wardens made contact with the vessel and were able to take two individuals into custody. The two fishermen were transported to the Zapata County Jail and charged with fishing without a valid commercial fishing license and possessing illegal equipment in prohibited waters (gill net). The boat, motor, and approximately 3,300 feet of gill net were seized.

Hog Wild: A Haskell County Game warden had been getting complaints on people hunting feral hogs off the road near Haskell. It didn’t take him long to find part of the problem. At 1 a.m. on Sunday the 25th, the warden issued several citations ranging from no hunting licenses to hunting from a public road.

Red and Blue’s A Comin’ for You: A warden was returning home from Lake O.H. Ivie late Saturday night and observed a vehicle traveling a remote county road. He followed the vehicle for several miles, and the vehicle turned around. The warden turned on his headlights and red and blues and attempted to stop the vehicle for not signaling at an intersection. The vehicle failed to stop, sideswiping the warden’s patrol vehicle. The driver stopped a short distance down the road. The driver was arrested for DWI and the passenger for PI.

Stupid Is As Stupid Does: On July 25, a game warden was behind Bringle Lake when a truck went flying down the road and stopped right in front of him. A car then blocked the exit road and a man started walking from the car towards the truck with something in his hand. The truck started to move and a loud bang was heard. The warden stopped the truck and got in between the two vehicles. The man had picked up a rock and in the midst of road rage threw it through the back passenger window of the truck. The very irate man was placed in handcuffs to control him. The warden made contact with the driver of the truck, a very scared 16-year-old. She stated they had passed the man some time ago, and he had been chasing them every since. The man stated when the truck passed him, they threw a can out in front of him and it splashed on his car. The owner of the truck arrived, and the man agreed to pay for the damages so the owner would not press charges. After sitting in handcuffs for a while, the man said his actions were uncalled for and it was a stupid thing to do.

There’s Something in the Water!: On July 27, two Red River County Game observed a spotlight in the distance. The wardens located several individuals a short time later bowfishing in private waters without landowner consent. The wardens summoned the boat to shore and noticed the driver throw something in the water before exiting the vessel. It was found to be methamphetamine, and the subject was placed in custody. Cases pending.

Gotcha!: On July 26th, an Aransas County Game warden apprehended a subject who bought a large amount of shrimp from a commercial shrimp boat captain and then proceeded to set up shop down the street and resell his shrimp at a profitable amount. As the warden approached, the subject asked him if he would like to purchase some shrimp. The warden stated, "No, but I would like to see your license." The subject handed him a recreational fishing license. A citation for no retail truck dealer’s license closed the "shop."

A Diamond in the Rough: A marine theft warden obtained a Tampering w/Government Documents conviction on a Tarrant County man, who was also a known "cat burglar." The individual bought a Baja boat in Oklahoma, paid $54,000 cash, and then falsified the PWD-143 to avoid the taxes. The individual was very hard to locate due to being in jail on another fraud charge. Subject was ordered to pay $2,367.87 to TPWD, and got time served. The U.S. Treasury Department was also investigating the man on similar charges. They served a search warrant on his home and found 85 loose diamonds in a vacuum-cleaner bag. They also found over 100 more diamonds hidden under the carpet that were traced back to prior home burglaries. The boat, a Hummer, and other vehicles were seized.

[JvT]

How about an update.

News Release
Media Contact: Tom Harvey, 512-389-4453, tom.harvey@tpwd.state.tx.us (tom.harvey@tpwd.state.tx.us?subject=RE%3A%20Game% 20Warden%20Field%20Notes%20%2820091007b%29)
Oct. 7, 2009
Game Warden Field Notes

The following are excerpts from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.

Paying for his crime: On September 20th, a Galveston County game warden received an OGT call about an individual who had killed a pelican. When the warden arrived at the location, he found a dead brown pelican on the beach. Statements were taken from witnesses and when his investigation was completed, he was able to obtain a confession from the violator. Citations were issued and a $4,720 restitution bill is pending.

Record-speed law enforcement: A Coke County game warden received a call about a deer that had possibly been shot on the Coke/Runnels county line inside a high fence. The deer was found on top of a tank dam and had been moved and drug up against the fence. Four hours later, a suspect arrived at the scene, threw over an unidentified object and went to work on the 8-point buck head. The warden was there in record time and the landowner signed affidavit class B criminal trespass; possession of illegally killed deer during closed season. One poacher went to jail.

All the elk in El Paso: Two El Paso game wardens received a call from the El Paso PD about an elk that was discovered in the backyard of a northeast El Paso residence when the owner went out to clean the pool. They arrived to find a very large and very unhappy Aoudad buck. With assistance from the Texas Department of Health veterinarian and his tranquilizer gun, they were able to move the animal without incident.

Educational rattlesnake: On September 20, a Grayson County Game Warden received a call from a man whose 9-year-old son had caught a baby snake that he believed might be a rattlesnake. Warden Moses went to the location and confirmed that the boy had indeed caught a baby Timber Rattler, which is a threatened species. The snake did not have its rattle yet. The snake was confiscated and will be used for educational purposes.

Protecting doves: On September 19, a Somervell County game warden and a Hamilton County game warden were patrolling Hamilton County when they entered a field with eight hunters, five of whom were kids, who were finishing up for the day. When the wardens checked the bag of one of the kids, they found an Inca dove. The hunters were all educated about the Inca dove. They were taught that it is a protected species and they were shown how to identify it. The dove was confiscated.

Rolling on the river: On September 20, a Somervell County game warden was patrolling along the banks of the Paluxy River in Somervell County when she observed three children on two ATVs riding in the river. When Warden Kuykendall pulled up, the kids took off down the river. Warden Kuykendall borrowed an ATV from the Dinosaur Valley State Park and with the assistance of a Park Ranger, the kids were found riding in the river upstream. When the warden and Park Ranger found the boys, they had sunk one of the ATVs up to the seat and were trying to get it out. Warnings were issued to the three juveniles for violations of the 2003 state law prohibited motor vehicle traffic in riverbeds, and the parents were contacted.

Right into the hands of the law: During the early morning hours of Sunday, September 20, a Coryell County game warden was patrolling an area near the Leon River known for poaching activity when he saw a vehicle on a nearby county road stopped on the bridge crossing the river. Several people got out and began moving around. Soon several shots rang out, and the vehicle sped away from the area unknowingly heading straight for the warden. He waited on the highway and when the vehicle exited the county road, a traffic stop was conducted. The driver, a young woman dressed in camouflage, admitted that she and her boyfriend had just shot from the road into the Leon River. The woman stated that she had just gotten a new pistol and needed a place to shoot it. Citations were issued for shooting from a public roadway.

Changing his story: On Sept.17th, a Houston County game warden was contacted by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office regarding the remains of a deer that was found on property that was the subject of a sheriff’s department investigation. The suspect, who was also a convicted felon, was located, and he admitted to killing the deer by running it over with a 4-wheeler. After a three-hour search, the warden located a .22-caliber Magnum rifle hidden under the steps of a residence. The suspect confessed shortly thereafter to killing the deer with the rifle. Later that day, the warden received more information about another carcass left on the side of the road near the location where the first deer had been killed. A subsequent interview with the same suspect the following day yielded another confession for killing the second deer. Another game warden interviewed a second suspect who also admitted to hunting from the road. Cases are pending. Charges include taking game animal from a public roadway; possession of stolen firearms, a 4-wheeler and other miscellaneous personal property; fictitious plates; and felon in possession of a firearm.

Coming clean: On September 20th, a Cherokee County game warden received a call from a landowner who had found a deer carcass on his property with the antlers removed. The warden collected a .22-caliber Magnum shell casing from the scene and noted that 4-wheeler tracks lead from the carcass to a neighbor’s house. The initial interview with neighbor and his grandson resulted in a denial of involvement, but subsequent investigation yielded the collection of a machete used to remove the antlers from the carcass and a full confession from the grandson. Case pending.

Sweaty sleep: On September 17th, a Hardin County game warden received information that a Saratoga resident was in the process of skinning a white-tailed deer behind his residence. Upon the game warden’s arrival, he observed a subject running under a vapor light in the direction of the residence. Moments later, the subject in question appeared from behind his house sweating from head to toe. He told the warden that he had been in bed trying to get some sleep and denied he had been hunting. After receiving consent to search, the warden noticed fresh drag marks leading into the woods. The warden recovered a freshly killed deer that his subject had tried to conceal after hearing the sound of a vehicle entering the neighborhood. Cases pending.

Deer rescue opens dove season: On September 20, an Atascosa County game warden went to Charlotte to donate some confiscated doves. The warden noticed a fawn deer in a dog kennel surrounded by hog dogs at a residence in Charlotte. The warden made contact with the homeowner, wrote a citation, confiscated the fawn deer, took it to a licensed deer rehabber and then continued with his confiscated dove donation.

Hunting in the rain: While working dove hunters in central Duval County on the morning of Sept. 19, a game warden and a deputy game warden heard numerous shots from various locations. After checking three groups of hunters, they issued four citations, and confiscated 23 doves. After lunch, the deputy game warden received a call that a truck was driving down a nearby county road with men were shooting doves off of power lines from the bed of the truck. Three wardens broke camp and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. One of the wardens issued two citations for hunting from a public road and having an open container. That afternoon, scattered showers crept into the area. As the deputy game warden and game warden drove into the showers, hope of finding the hunter became slim. Within the hour, however, two of the wardens heard a number of shots, even though it was raining. As they moved into position to check the field of hunters, the sky was filled with doves. After making contact with the hunters, many of whom were hunting in rain jackets and slickers, 462 doves were confiscated and 23 citations were issued for hunting over bait. At the end of the day, the game wardens and deputy game warden had issued 27 citations and confiscated 485 doves that were illegally killed over baited fields in Duval County. Cases pending.

Fishing in the rain: On Sept. 24, four game wardens helped present a Kidfish youth fishing event for Coronado fifth graders. The event was held at Ceta Canyon. There were about 80 kids and most were able to catch a fish, despite the cold weather and rain.

Birds and burritos: On September 19, a Coleman County game warden helped sponsor a dove hunt at Talpa for six 8-to 10-year-old Webelo Boy Scouts from Troop 644 of Muenster. The boys harvested 18 doves, cooked burritos for breakfast, shot clay birds and camped out in tents to work on their camping badges. The Texas Game Warden Association presented each Boy Scout with a cap.

Drowning in Lake Fork: On Sept. 18 at approximately 6:15 a.m., a 63-year-old Garland man fishing the McDonald’s Tournament (estimated 4,000 participants) on Lake Fork fell overboard. A two-day search ended in recovering the victim’s body in approximately 26 feet of water. Side Scan Sonar was used to locate the victim and divers were used to recover the body. Three District 3 game wardens along with the Wood County SO, Quitman Fire Department, North East TX Search & Recovery Team and the Alert Academy Dive Team assisted in the recovery.

All in a day’s work: September 20th, two Travis County game wardens were patrolling Lady Bird Lake by kayak when they came across two subjects who were just breaking camp from a night’s stay on the shore. While approaching, the wardens noticed a stringer coming off of the end of the kayak beached on the shore. After a short discussion with the subjects, it was determined that neither had a current fishing license nor any identification. After checking the subjects through dispatch, it was discovered that one subject was wanted for failure to report for probation on a theft charge from Hays County. A check of the contents of the kayak revealed a .22-caliber Sig Sauer Pistol, several illegal knives and drug paraphernalia. The subjects were asked to collect their belongings and escorted upstream to a local park where both where cited and one was turned over to Austin PD and charged with possession of prohibited weapons and the outstanding warrant. The wardens went back to kayaking.