My mother-in-law has 155 acres 8 miles west of Cisco, it is in 2 counties Eastland and Callahan. My stand and feeder are in Callahan. I took vacation this week to hopefully catch the rut. I got down there sat, and planned on being down there until sunday. This is the first time that I have hunted my feeder and did not see a deer. I have no idea what has happened to all the deer, but I knew they were not coming into my feeder. Thur had arrived and still nothing at my feeder so I decided to hunt my dad's stand to try and get a hog. Well a old 7 point came in and it was the 1st deer I had seen so down he went. I thought that the Eastland county was not in the 13" rule and Callahan was in the 13" rule. I tag the deer, quarter it and put it on ice. I get home friday night put some more ice on the deer and would head to the processing plant sat. Well I get to proceessing plant and the game warden was there, I had my 8 year old and 4 year old with me and was going to have my kids meet a game warden. I back the truck up and here he comes. I show him my license when asked and we began talking about our yougest boys gookie eyes. Mine has Downs Syndrom and has had alot of eye issues. We unloaded the ice chest and he opened it and looked at the deer quaters. He then took the rack and begin to measure, it was 9 and 3 quarter's wide. I thought nothing of it, until he called me over to his truck and began explaining what I had done, and he would have to take the meat and horns. I felt about a inch tall, getting the 2 counties confused. He was very friendly and said that he could not give me a warnning in this violation, but the deer would not be waisted and it would be giving away. I told him I understood. This is my first violation I have ever had and cant believe I made this stupid mistake. The ticket was for possession of Illegal buck and he checked civil restitution. Under seizure he checked NO. Does anyone know what the fine is going to be? I hope it is under $500.

Sorry to hear about that, swk. tough break.

Sorry to hear that, and it's an honest mistake on your part and a hard lesson to have to learn, but once you pull that trigger you have to know the law.

Don't know how much the fine is, but it's pretty steep from what I've heard.

I believe its $300.00. Sorry to hear that, that sucks that you lost your deer!

a guy on my lease got hit last year with a letter like 2 months after got inital ticket for 300 and there was like a 1300 restocking fee and it stated he was not able to get hunting license in tx until it was pd in full . Hopefully this wont be your case . sorry to hear this happened brother

Ouch, sorry to hear about that. I am scared to death of doing something I should not be doing because I hunt multiple counties. That is why I check and double check.

Too many 'sorrys' in this thread not enough 'should have read the book'. They GIVE you the book. READ IT.

That sucks. Thanks for posting though. Read the book guys.

that is true, or at least be "smarter about which county you record it under" since the same land is under both counties from what i understand

It is an interesting case with his hunting area being in both Eastland Co.(under AR) and Callahan(non AR).

What county is the gate in? I heard if you have one gate then use that as your county of reference as that is where the GW will be stopping you anyway most of the time.

Man that's too bad. Live and learn, though.

That sucks. Why did you take the horns with you to the processor?

Because you have to show prove of sex until your final destination and is finally processed.


Please read the book guys, it will save you LOTS of money.

One i killed a few years ago after i shot it read 13.5 inches....man was i relieved!!!!

Do good, well-intended hunters sometimes get cited? You bet they do because we all make mistakes.

I once got cited for hunting a baited field while dove hunting in Mississippi. I was hunting with a friend, and the guy who worked the field thought he had done everything right. I federal LEO informed all of us otherwise.

Just learn from the experience and move on.

yes I could of put the other county but it then becomes a Felony if your caught. I would of not shot the deer if it was in Callahan because I thought it was 13".
the gate is in callahan and so is the majority of the lease. I am not looking for any sympathy. adamp_p is right, everyone needs to read the book before season and at least few times during the season. Keep one in your vehicle, so you can look something up. There is alot of people that once they make a kill they get the deer tagged but forget to put the county, ranch and date on the back of the license. If there is any doubt read the book.

Took some brass to post this up. Obviously there is true remorse and a lesson learned. The post should help others to check and learn before they make the mistake. Thanx for posting.

Yep, good post.

Yes sir, way to be stand up. The fines are set by the JP in each county, so the Warden could do you right and speak to the JP and plead your case to him. If you just do the mail in thing, it will be the recommended fine. Go see the JP, BEFORE the court date, and discuss it with him.

Wow I sure hope it isnt to costly for you. I think as said by others you should talk to JP.

I guess I am just a little confused by this:

"Notice: It is unlawful to possess a deer, pronghorn antelope with proof of sex removed unless the deer or antelope is at a final destination and has been quartered."

His deer had been quartered and had been at the house a couple of days before taking it to the processor.
Also the book says this:

"However, to prevent delay or problems (cold storage or processor refusing to accept meat, etc.) when taking portions of game (meat/head/hide) that you have processed at your home to a commercial processor or taxidermist, simply attach the appropriate hunting license tag and/or permit or a wildlife resource document to the portion of game."

Nothing about proof of sex here. I mean what if I was to decide I wanted some burger made out of the deer I killed a couple of weeks ago? I don't still have that does head laying around to take with me to the processor.


Not starting an argument, it is just confusing to me.

swk, did you still have the antlers attached to the head?

tough break!