Texas Hunting Forum
Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect
Posted By: Texas Dan
Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/01/17 04:55 PM
The discussion in another thread brings up the point that being human, TPWD officers can make mistakes when it comes to interpreting laws and restrictions.
Have you ever seen a case where your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect after you checked with TPWD officials in Austin, or with Federal officials in cases involving migratory game birds?
I can remember one minor incident several years ago when an officer questioned the manner in which I marked the back of my license after taking a buck. I had checked the box that stated I had taken a buck with a minimum 13-inch spread. He told me I should have only checked the box if I had taken a spike. Upon closer inspection, he found that my license had been printed on license paper from the previous year in which the boxes were marked differently than the current year.
Posted By: 8pointdrop
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/01/17 05:01 PM
I've never had a ticket from a game warden and don't plan to get one. The laws are not hard to understand and if there's grey area I call the warden. I don't like arguing with law enforcement so I listen to what he says and take it even if I think I'm right and he's wrong.
Tried to fight a traffic ticket once, I was right and the officer was mistaken. Lost a day of work and still had to pay the ticket.
Posted By: Texas Dan
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/01/17 05:04 PM
I've never had a ticket from a game warden and don't plan to get one. The laws are not hard to understand and if there's grey area I call the warden. I don't like arguing with law enforcement so I listen to what he says and take it even if I think I'm right and he's wrong.
Tried to fight a traffic ticket once, I was right and the officer was mistaken. Lost a day of work and still had to pay the ticket.
The question was really directed at those who checked on the correct interpretation of game laws before being issued a citation.
Posted By: krmitchell
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/01/17 05:22 PM
Best thing TPWD does is allow you to email them questions, then you have your question/answer documented in writing.
Posted By: SnakeWrangler
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/01/17 05:56 PM
Best thing TPWD does is allow you to email them questions, then you have your question/answer documented in writing.
Posted By: charrisonLSON
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/01/17 07:44 PM
When I worked for the outdoor newspaper, we had a lot of issues like this come up. Duck hunting over millet (manipulated vs. non-manipulated), dove hunting near a feeder (baiting vs. not baiting), and multiple others where the law really was grey depending on the issue. I'd get quotes from the local county GW, then have someone in Austin higher up the chain say the opposite. They get confused like we do.
Bottom line is- if you have a question, call your local county warden. Invite him out to your lease and let him see that you aren't trying to break the law. Most of them (a few exceptions) are hunters, really good guys and they are just trying to do their jobs.
Posted By: Sneaky
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/01/17 07:59 PM
Law enforcement officers are often wrong. This says a lot more about all the convoluted laws than it does about them.
Posted By: Sniper John
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/01/17 10:51 PM
Sure,
I was sculling a canoe shooting Dove on a corps lake. Game warden told me my boat had to be beached, anchored, or tied up, and not under way. I was also told I could only shoot waterfowl from a boat. I knew both was legal to do and legal game for the location, but did not argue the point. The game warden was polite and did not give me a ticket. I believe the issue was the fact that it was an older long time warden. Early in his career he would have been correct, but regulation wording for shooting "waterfowl" from a floating craft had changed to "migratory game" several years ago. And "Under way only applies if by motor or sail". Hunting migratory game by sculling with no motor or sail is legal. I handled it by stopping what I was doing and thanking the game warden, then when I got home I emailed TPWD law enforcement in Austin with questions for the same hunting scenario. Then I printed out my reply and carried it with my license when hunting that way. Problem solved. I had a conversation just last week with a lifetime waterfowl hunting guide where the gentleman told me shooting ducks from a paddled moving pirogue was illegal per his game warden. It probably was when he was told. It is a common misconception.
Posted By: cmc
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 12:45 AM
I've had wardens in the same boat disagree on laws and three of them all pulled out books and started reading and looking for laws and then decided that I was somehow in violation and wrote me a ticket and took all my crab legs and put them on ice in their boat. It wasn't until I called the office that I got the explanation of the law and they said we found it on a different page from the page listed for crabs. Well freaking thanks for that!
Posted By: rifleman
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 01:09 AM
Yes...wanting to issue <13" tickets (make contact) via harvest log on a MLD3 lease. I knew the answer to that one since I helped put the mgmt plan together. His attitude sent that one South.
Posted By: CuzTheyFly
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 05:26 AM
Not in Texas, But in California we had a State Game warden make a call on a young snow goose that was later over ridden by a Federal Game Warden that we took our issue to. Back in 1987...
I did hunt with a crazy Cali Duck hunter that once played a mean trick on a brand new California female game warden. She as she checked us out in the field, he said Oh you got me, I do not have a plug in this gun. He handed her his over and under and she whipped out her ticket book just as a senior training warden approached us... Needless to say the lady was quite red faced..
The Game wardens in California were much more hostile back then versus the Texas game wardens,that I have dealt with here over the years. Kinda of a Public Hunting land versus private hunting land thing. Nearly all the warden's I have encountered in North West Texas have been very professional and respectful to deal with. Yet another reason I like living and hunting in Texas versus California....
Posted By: SnakeWrangler
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 11:55 AM
Law enforcement officers are often wrong. This says a lot more about all the convoluted laws than it does about them.
Word^^^^^^^
Posted By: Double Naught Spy
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 01:26 PM
Game warden on Lone Star Law said it was illegal to hunt hogs without a license...which isn't quite true.
Posted By: Cajun Raider
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 01:42 PM
Unless something has changed recently, The Texas Hunting and Fishing Annual Guide has always stated that to hunt Feral Hogs a Hunting License is required. If this has changed in the last few years then I apologize.
Posted By: ducknbass
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 02:57 PM
Closest I've ever had was 2 different wardens patrolling the same area telling me two different things on an area of a wma that i was duck hunting. One said it was okay other said it was not. The biologist for the wma was hunting the area as well. I emailed Austin and there interpretation was that it could not be duck hunted at which point i bounced a question off the Austin representative and he could not answer. The next year the map changed and it clearly showed the area as huntable at which case the rest of north Texas started hunting it instead of just half.
Posted By: ducknbass
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 02:59 PM
Game warden on Lone Star Law said it was illegal to hunt hogs without a license...which isn't quite true.
Hunting and protecting your property are two different things.
If you have a license you are requires to retrieve the game to avoid waton waste. If your a farmer protecting your property from invasive hogs you cannot retrieve the hog.
So hunting is the key word there.
Posted By: glocker17
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 03:07 PM
Thats incorrect as well, you have no need to retrieve feral hogs. Wanton waste does not apply.
Manual does not state that a landowner cannot keep feral hods shot while doing damage.
Exceptions
A hunting license is not required to hunt the following:
Coyotes, if the coyotes are attacking, about to attack or have recently attacked livestock, domestic animals or fowl.
Depredating feral hogs, if a landowner (resident or non-resident) or landowner's agent or lessee is taking feral hogs causing depredation on the landowner's land.
Fur-bearing animals, if the hunter possesses a trapper's license or if the fur-bearing animals are causing depredation.
Posted By: ducknbass
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 04:34 PM
Thats incorrect as well, you have no need to retrieve feral hogs. Wanton waste does not apply.
Manual does not state that a landowner cannot keep feral hods shot while doing damage.
Exceptions
A hunting license is not required to hunt the following:
Coyotes, if the coyotes are attacking, about to attack or have recently attacked livestock, domestic animals or fowl.
Depredating feral hogs, if a landowner (resident or non-resident) or landowner's agent or lessee is taking feral hogs causing depredation on the landowner's land.
Fur-bearing animals, if the hunter possesses a trapper's license or if the fur-bearing animals are causing depredation.
Not correct.
The law is quite clear. It is against the law to 'Hunt an exotic without a valid hunting license.'. The following link (
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publicat.../hunt/nongame/) states at the beginning of the first section covering 'Nongame and other species' that the subject of feral hogs is covered in the 'Exotic Animals and Fowl' section by stating 'Does not include feral hog (see Exotic Animals and Fowl).'. The Exotic Animals and Fowl section reads as follows:
EXOTIC ANIMALS AND FOWL
Exotic animal refers to grass-eating or plant-eating, single-hoofed or cloven-hoofed mammals that are not indigenous or native to Texas and are known as ungulates, including animals from the deer and antelope families that landowners have introduced into this state. Includes, but is not limited to feral hog, Aoudad sheep, Axis deer, Elk, Sika deer, Fallow deer, Blackbuck antelope, Nilgai antelope, and Russian boar. Exotic fowl refers to any avian species that is not indigenous to this state, including ratites (emu, ostrich, rhea, cassowary, etc.).
There are no state bag or possession limits or closed seasons on exotic animals or fowl on private property. It is against the law to:
* Hunt an exotic without a valid hunting license.
* Hunt an exotic on a public road or right-of-way.
* Hunt an exotic without the landowner's permission.
* Possess an exotic or the carcass of an exotic without the owner's consent.
Penalty: A person who violates these laws commits an offense that is a Class A Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor ($500-$4000 and/or up to one year in jail
Posted By: therancher
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 04:41 PM
I've never had a ticket from a game warden and don't plan to get one. The laws are not hard to understand and if there's grey area I call the warden. I don't like arguing with law enforcement so I listen to what he says and take it even if I think I'm right and he's wrong.
Tried to fight a traffic ticket once, I was right and the officer was mistaken. Lost a day of work and still had to pay the ticket.
That's a ridiculous statement. Unless you are saying wardens are so ignorant they can't even understand simple laws. Plenty of examples of wardens not knowing the laws they enforce above.
Here's another example. I own 3 ranches under mld. Since it is physically impossible for me to be 3 places at once, I pre sign all mld tags and give them to my hunters. The warden at one of my ranches strolled into camp and issued a citation to my hunter because I pre signed the mld tag. I called the warden when I found out and explained the law and asked him to check it out, and next time to use a little more logic before whipping out his citation book. He ended up apologizing for his mistake.
So, you're left with 2 options. Either the laws are so complicated the folks enforcing them struggle to stay current, or wardens are too ignorant read and comprehend.
Posted By: krmitchell
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 05:23 PM
Thats incorrect as well, you have no need to retrieve feral hogs. Wanton waste does not apply.
Manual does not state that a landowner cannot keep feral hods shot while doing damage.
Exceptions
A hunting license is not required to hunt the following:
Coyotes, if the coyotes are attacking, about to attack or have recently attacked livestock, domestic animals or fowl.
Depredating feral hogs, if a landowner (resident or non-resident) or landowner's agent or lessee is taking feral hogs causing depredation on the landowner's land.
Fur-bearing animals, if the hunter possesses a trapper's license or if the fur-bearing animals are causing depredation.
You don't have to keep a feral hog if you shoot it, however, you need a hunting license if you do. You can kill any hog you want but an animal causing damage and that is killed for that purpose can't be kept if you don't have a license..
Posted By: fouzman
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 05:24 PM
http://articles.extension.org/pages/63677/texas-hunting-license-requirements-for-feral-hogsducknbass, nowhere in what you posted does it state that a landowner cannot retain hogs killed due to depredation. Nor does it state anywhere that someone hunting them must retrieve the dead hog and keep in edible condition. A feral hog is not a game animal, therefore "wanton waste" laws do not come into play. You may shoot all the feral hogs you want and leave them lay, whether you are a landowner killing the hogs without a license due to depredation, or a hunter with a license killing feral hogs for population control, etc.
Posted By: 8pointdrop
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 05:26 PM
I don't know I guess I haven't met these ignorant Wardens. I believe y'all but it hasn't happened to me. What I meant by my statement is if I don't know the law or can't interpret it, I call the guy that writes the tickets and ask him. There's not a lot of times that I call, MOST laws in the book are cut and dry. Case in point the above post saying you must retain hogs because of wanton waste, book doesn't say that anywhere and it isn't true, not sure how that interpretation was reached. Only once did my county warden say he didn't know and would have to call Austin for my answer. If he's not sure, he finds out. Sounds like I should thank him for that after reading about ignorant wardens not knowing their job and writing tickets when no laws are broken.
Lots of the laws that are asked about on here over and over are quick yes and no questions for the wardens I deal with, guess I'm just lucky to have the wardens I have.
Posted By: Nogalus Prairie
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 05:27 PM
You don't need a hunting license to shoot depradating feral hogs. That's under the "exceptions" section for depradating animals quoted above.
Because all feral hogs are depradating, for all practical purposes you don't need a license to hunt them. That said, 99.99% of the people that hunt them will have a license anyway.
What fouzman said about wanton waste. Doesn't apply to hogs topside or bottom.
Posted By: fouzman
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 05:43 PM
I could be wrong about landowner retention under depredation, but don't think so. I believe the confusion came about because of landowners killing whitetails under a depredation permit. In that case, the shooter cannot retain the deer out of season, he must leave them lay. If it is during season, the landowner or his agent may retain the deer but it must be tagged with a valid tag from hunting license or MLD.
Posted By: 8pointdrop
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 05:43 PM
You don't need a hunting license to shoot depradating feral hogs. That's under the "exceptions" section for depradating animals quoted above.
Because all feral hogs are depradating, for all practical purposes you don't need a license to hunt them. That said, 99.99% of the people that hunt them will have a license anyway.
What fouzman said about wanton waste. Doesn't apply to hogs topside or bottom.
Maybe I just don't argue with the warden enough. I've made this call and was told the depredation has to be happening to YOUR land or livestock. Basically if the farmer is protecting his wheat from hogs or his cows from coyotes no license is needed. If I'm going spotlighting to help the farmer out, I'm hunting and need a license. Seemed to make sense so I didn't argue, maybe he's wrong nobody is perfect, but he has the ticket book so I ask him lots of questions.
Me and the warden hunt together when he has time so maybe I just trust his word too much.
Posted By: Nogalus Prairie
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 05:47 PM
You don't need a hunting license to shoot depradating feral hogs. That's under the "exceptions" section for depradating animals quoted above.
Because all feral hogs are depradating, for all practical purposes you don't need a license to hunt them. That said, 99.99% of the people that hunt them will have a license anyway.
What fouzman said about wanton waste. Doesn't apply to hogs topside or bottom.
Maybe I just don't argue with the warden enough. I've made this call and was told the depredation has to be happening to YOUR land or livestock. Basically if the farmer is protecting his wheat from hogs or his cows from coyotes no license is needed. If I'm going spotlighting to help the farmer out, I'm hunting and need a license. Seemed to make sense so I didn't argue, maybe he's wrong nobody is perfect, but he has the ticket book so I ask him lots of questions.
Me and the warden hunt together when he has time so maybe I just trust his word too much.
If you're hunting with permission you're just the "landowner's agent" under the provision above.
But, again, don't see why you'd need to be concerned about it. I assume being on a hunting forum you'd have a license anyway.
Posted By: fouzman
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 05:49 PM
You're Warden friend is wrong 8point. From the link I posted above...
"In Texas, feral hogs may be killed by landowners or their agents on their property"
Be kind of hard for a landowner to keep up with depredation control all by themselves, wouldn't it?
Rancher, why not just let your agent or lessee sign the MLD tags upon harvest?
Posted By: 8pointdrop
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 06:05 PM
Like I said maybe I just don't argue enough....
I agree NP I'll just buy a license.
Posted By: fouzman
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 06:07 PM
Not about arguing. I'm not going to argue with any GW. In-the-field-contact is not the time or place.
However, I do my level best to study the Annual Guide and all laws/regulations that pertain to my chosen outdoors pursuit. If I were cited (never been) for something I knew the Warden was incorrect about, I would certainly go the the JP with proof that the Warden was wrong. After the fact.
Posted By: ducknbass
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 07:32 PM
Sorry fouz you're wrong! I've showed you your wrong clearly so I'll just let you continue to be wrong. You can lead a horse to water.
Posted By: fouzman
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 07:46 PM
What am I wrong about? Please show me again. Are you talking about needing a license to hunt feral hogs? I never said you don't.
Are you talking about a landowner being able to kill hogs that are a depredation threat without a license?
Landowner's retaining hogs killed due to depredation? On that one I said I may be incorrect. And why the exclamation point after telling me I'm wrong? This isn't a contest so no need to add emphasis.
Posted By: Double Naught Spy
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/02/17 08:38 PM
Game warden on Lone Star Law said it was illegal to hunt hogs without a license...which isn't quite true.
Hunting and protecting your property are two different things.
If you have a license you are requires to retrieve the game to avoid waton waste. If your a farmer protecting your property from invasive hogs you cannot retrieve the hog.
So hunting is the key word there.
Hogs are not classified as game or game animals under Texas law.
Whether "hunting" or "protecting property," the issue is covered by Texas hunting laws. "Hunting" is not distinctive from "protecting property" and per TPWD, hunting is simply...
To capture, trap, take, or kill, and includes any attempt to capture, trap, take, or kill.
So in this TPWD definition of hunting, there is no stipulated purpose for hunting, be it for food, materials, property protection, or whatever.
Posted By: therancher
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/03/17 02:09 AM
I don't know I guess I haven't met these ignorant Wardens. I believe y'all but it hasn't happened to me. What I meant by my statement is if I don't know the law or can't interpret it, I call the guy that writes the tickets and ask him. There's not a lot of times that I call, MOST laws in the book are cut and dry. Case in point the above post saying you must retain hogs because of wanton waste, book doesn't say that anywhere and it isn't true, not sure how that interpretation was reached. Only once did my county warden say he didn't know and would have to call Austin for my answer. If he's not sure, he finds out. Sounds like I should thank him for that after reading about ignorant wardens not knowing their job and writing tickets when no laws are broken.
Lots of the laws that are asked about on here over and over are quick yes and no questions for the wardens I deal with, guess I'm just lucky to have the wardens I have.
There are many ranches where the biologist and gw show up to hand over mld tags and watch the landowner presign the tags. Which is directly in violation of the requirement NOT to presign tags. The mld system was instituted and no one really paid attention to the contradictions in the details.
I don't blame the wardens for not knowing the ever changing details as much as I blame them for not using logic when enforcing game laws. Any idiot out to be able to figure out that landowners HAVE to be able to pre sign if they are going to make me sign a tag.
Posted By: rifleman
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/03/17 02:59 AM
I don't know I guess I haven't met these ignorant Wardens. I believe y'all but it hasn't happened to me. What I meant by my statement is if I don't know the law or can't interpret it, I call the guy that writes the tickets and ask him. There's not a lot of times that I call, MOST laws in the book are cut and dry. Case in point the above post saying you must retain hogs because of wanton waste, book doesn't say that anywhere and it isn't true, not sure how that interpretation was reached. Only once did my county warden say he didn't know and would have to call Austin for my answer. If he's not sure, he finds out. Sounds like I should thank him for that after reading about ignorant wardens not knowing their job and writing tickets when no laws are broken.
Lots of the laws that are asked about on here over and over are quick yes and no questions for the wardens I deal with, guess I'm just lucky to have the wardens I have.
There are many ranches where the biologist and gw show up to hand over mld tags and watch the landowner presign the tags. Which is directly in violation of the requirement NOT to presign tags. The mld system was instituted and no one really paid attention to the contradictions in the details.
I don't blame the wardens for not knowing the ever changing details as much as I blame them for not using logic when enforcing game laws. Any idiot out to be able to figure out that landowners HAVE to be able to pre sign if they are going to make me sign a tag.
Policy largely depends on the particular warden and the particular leases...I was on one where the permits were pre-signed, stored in a central location and we were given the go ahead to drive upwards of 15 miles of FM roads with a dead untagged deer in the truck to go to that central location to fetch permits.
Posted By: DavidC.
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/03/17 01:05 PM
Sure, were all human and make errors! The problem is when the game wardens make mistakes, you go to jail and have your reputation ruined, or pay crazy outrageous fines, in Louisiana you get no second chance, its the wardens way or no way.
Our game departments enforcement divisions have gone out of control in my opinion, with little or no oversight and large budgets, nothing gets in their way of oppressing the rights of citizens in the name of "the law".
Best way to fight back is simply to always buy a license and make sure you do things the right way, and in many cases that not enough, seems like brain washed cadets come out of the academy with one mission, get the hunter!
Posted By: TurkeyHunter
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/03/17 01:37 PM
I'll bet the game wardens reading this are chuckling.
Law enforcement officers make mistakes. Some laws may not be really clear as well. That's why we have a courts system.
My encounters have been cordial and quick. Always had everything in order and treated them with respect. It was returned in kind.
Posted By: therancher
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/03/17 03:57 PM
I don't know I guess I haven't met these ignorant Wardens. I believe y'all but it hasn't happened to me. What I meant by my statement is if I don't know the law or can't interpret it, I call the guy that writes the tickets and ask him. There's not a lot of times that I call, MOST laws in the book are cut and dry. Case in point the above post saying you must retain hogs because of wanton waste, book doesn't say that anywhere and it isn't true, not sure how that interpretation was reached. Only once did my county warden say he didn't know and would have to call Austin for my answer. If he's not sure, he finds out. Sounds like I should thank him for that after reading about ignorant wardens not knowing their job and writing tickets when no laws are broken.
Lots of the laws that are asked about on here over and over are quick yes and no questions for the wardens I deal with, guess I'm just lucky to have the wardens I have.
There are many ranches where the biologist and gw show up to hand over mld tags and watch the landowner presign the tags. Which is directly in violation of the requirement NOT to presign tags. The mld system was instituted and no one really paid attention to the contradictions in the details.
I don't blame the wardens for not knowing the ever changing details as much as I blame them for not using logic when enforcing game laws. Any idiot out to be able to figure out that landowners HAVE to be able to pre sign if they are going to make me sign a tag.
Policy largely depends on the particular warden and the particular leases...I was on one where the permits were pre-signed, stored in a central location and we were given the go ahead to drive upwards of 15 miles of FM roads with a dead untagged deer in the truck to go to that central location to fetch permits.
I'll bet that "go ahead" wasn't in writing either.
The ridiculous thing about the law is having me sign. No good reason anyone but the hunter needs to sign ANY tag. There are MANY ridiculous game laws. Plugs in shotguns are another one.
Posted By: TxBuck
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/03/17 05:28 PM
Sure, were all human and make errors! The problem is when the game wardens make mistakes, you go to jail and have your reputation ruined, or pay crazy outrageous fines, in Louisiana you get no second chance, its the wardens way or no way.
Our game departments enforcement divisions have gone out of control in my opinion, with little or no oversight and large budgets, nothing gets in their way of oppressing the rights of citizens in the name of "the law".
Best way to fight back is simply to always buy a license and make sure you do things the right way, and in many cases that not enough, seems like brain washed cadets come out of the academy with one mission, get the hunter!
Large budgets okay
Posted By: fouzman
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/03/17 05:55 PM
We only have about 500 Game Wardens in Texas and they don't make much money. TPWD LE Division does not have a "large budget".
Posted By: Nogalus Prairie
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/03/17 06:21 PM
Why anyone would pick GW over DPS is a mystery to me. Bless their hearts I'm glad they do.
Posted By: krmitchell
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/03/17 06:48 PM
Why anyone would pick GW over DPS is a mystery to me. Bless their hearts I'm glad they do.
I'm hoping and assuming it is because they care about what they do and want to make a difference, at least the majority of them.
Posted By: Simple Searcher
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/03/17 11:56 PM
Why anyone would pick GW over DPS is a mystery to me. Bless their hearts I'm glad they do.
I'm hoping and assuming it is because they care about what they do and want to make a difference, at least the majority of them.
$53K after the first year, $65K at four years, plus benefits. (that is 2015 rate)
And you can break game laws and still keep your job.
Posted By: therancher
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/04/17 12:36 AM
Why anyone would pick GW over DPS is a mystery to me. Bless their hearts I'm glad they do.
I'm hoping and assuming it is because they care about what they do and want to make a difference, at least the majority of them.
$53K after the first year, $65K at four years, plus benefits. (that is 2015 rate)
And you can break game laws and still keep your job.
Posted By: Wytex
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/04/17 02:49 PM
Not restrictions on depredating hogs , no license and you can keep the meat. We've been hunting depredating hogs for years on family place and neighbors place without a license. I called the local GW first year out and got the word right from her mouth, then called Austin and talked with a higher up in the LE division.
If a place is selling hog hunts then the hunters need a license, i.e. outfitting for hogs.
Posted By: Duck_Hunter
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/07/17 04:54 PM
My buddy had a warden tell him it was a requirement that ducks are retrieved. The law clearly says a reasonable attempt must be made. This is how he told me the story.
Warden was clearly having a bad day and this area of public water is popular and there are a lot of dead birds floating throughout the season. Warden cursed at him, called him unethical and violently shoved her wooden spoon handle into his gun trying to break his factory plug. Didn't establish he even shot the duck (there were other hunters in the area). Plus, where he shot it was protected from the wind and he could easily wade out to get it, but it was wounded and by the time he reloaded it swam out into current before he was able to put it out of its misery. By this time, it was too deep to wade to.
He was waiting for it to float across a creek opening into the shore and then hike around the creek and retrieve it. Warden was rude, unprofessional and intentionally misquoted the law, which was dangerous. A young or new hunter (although all hunters should know the laws) might have stripped down and try to swim out after a warden said that, which could cost someone their life.
My buddy is still chapped about it and might find a new county to hunt in this season. He was polite and did everything she asked because he didn't want to get into it with law enforcement. Plus, he knew she was wrong and his license, steel shot and magazine plug were all in order, so he wasn't going to get a ticket.
Posted By: TurkeyHunter
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/07/17 07:48 PM
My buddy had a warden tell him it was a requirement that ducks are retrieved. The law clearly says a reasonable attempt must be made. This is how he told me the story.
Warden was clearly having a bad day and this area of public water is popular and there are a lot of dead birds floating throughout the season. Warden cursed at him, called him unethical and violently shoved her wooden spoon handle into his gun trying to break his factory plug. Didn't establish he even shot the duck (there were other hunters in the area). Plus, where he shot it was protected from the wind and he could easily wade out to get it, but it was wounded and by the time he reloaded it swam out into current before he was able to put it out of its misery. By this time, it was too deep to wade to.
He was waiting for it to float across a creek opening into the shore and then hike around the creek and retrieve it. Warden was rude, unprofessional and intentionally misquoted the law, which was dangerous. A young or new hunter (although all hunters should know the laws) might have stripped down and try to swim out after a warden said that, which could cost someone their life.
My buddy is still chapped about it and might find a new county to hunt in this season. He was polite and did everything she asked because he didn't want to get into it with law enforcement. Plus, he knew she was wrong and his license, steel shot and magazine plug were all in order, so he wasn't going to get a ticket.
One can always make a nicely worded official complaint. I believe it does get recorded. A rant typically get's ignored.
Posted By: Duck_Hunter
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/07/17 08:41 PM
My buddy had a warden tell him it was a requirement that ducks are retrieved. The law clearly says a reasonable attempt must be made. This is how he told me the story.
Warden was clearly having a bad day and this area of public water is popular and there are a lot of dead birds floating throughout the season. Warden cursed at him, called him unethical and violently shoved her wooden spoon handle into his gun trying to break his factory plug. Didn't establish he even shot the duck (there were other hunters in the area). Plus, where he shot it was protected from the wind and he could easily wade out to get it, but it was wounded and by the time he reloaded it swam out into current before he was able to put it out of its misery. By this time, it was too deep to wade to.
He was waiting for it to float across a creek opening into the shore and then hike around the creek and retrieve it. Warden was rude, unprofessional and intentionally misquoted the law, which was dangerous. A young or new hunter (although all hunters should know the laws) might have stripped down and try to swim out after a warden said that, which could cost someone their life.
My buddy is still chapped about it and might find a new county to hunt in this season. He was polite and did everything she asked because he didn't want to get into it with law enforcement. Plus, he knew she was wrong and his license, steel shot and magazine plug were all in order, so he wasn't going to get a ticket.
One can always make a nicely worded official complaint. I believe it does get recorded. A rant typically get's ignored.
That's what I said. I think he was worried about getting more grief in the future because it could've only been one warden in that area that did it.
Posted By: Kevin Heath
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/07/17 08:42 PM
Only game warden I want to get into it with is Wei Wei Lin, and we have to wrestle to resolve it!
Posted By: Double Naught Spy
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/08/17 01:18 PM
Why anyone would pick GW over DPS is a mystery to me. Bless their hearts I'm glad they do.
I'm hoping and assuming it is because they care about what they do and want to make a difference, at least the majority of them.
$53K after the first year, $65K at four years, plus benefits. (that is 2015 rate)
And you can break game laws and still keep your job.
Yep...
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas/20...harges-kept-job
Posted By: Navasot
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/08/17 01:34 PM
Yes but we settled it at the doc without a ticket... was a newby Park Warden but was a nice guy. Think he was more embarrassed than anything
Posted By: Navasot
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/08/17 01:36 PM
Lot more disrespect for an leo than i would expect here
Posted By: BOBO the Clown
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/08/17 01:50 PM
Lot more disrespect for an leo than i would expect here
Yelp. Somethings never change, until the help or search and rescue call is made.
Posted By: DavidC.
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/08/17 02:01 PM
I guess it really gets down to the kind of guy you are, if you're like most of the wardens in Louisiana you are taught to be untrusting, skeptical, partial, and arrogant, most of the wardens I grew up with in the late seventies were real confident men, were more prone to talking and understanding and educating than giving tickets. Today however is a horse of a different color, the ones I've crossed paths with have been extremely arrogant, assuming, and to put it quite simply, PINHEADS.
Posted By: therancher
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/08/17 03:37 PM
Lot more disrespect for an leo than i would expect here
Yelp. Somethings never change, until the help or search and rescue call is made.
What? Pointing out that they can't possibly know all laws and all changes and pointing out instances when they blew it? I don't see the disrespect in that. Just the facts ma'am.
Posted By: Navasot
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/08/17 03:40 PM
Lot more disrespect for an leo than i would expect here
Yelp. Somethings never change, until the help or search and rescue call is made.
What? Pointing out that they can't possibly know all laws and all changes and pointing out instances when they blew it? I don't see the disrespect in that. Just the facts ma'am.
No nothing wrong with that I mentioned a time of my own.. it's the point of exploiting that they caught someone in the wrong and throwing it in their face or all over social media in a negative way.. but if the tables were turned they would want the guys job for being a Richard... a lot of negative GW post on here sound like nothing more than a bunch of butthurt
Posted By: BOBO the Clown
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/08/17 03:56 PM
Lot more disrespect for an leo than i would expect here
Yelp. Somethings never change, until the help or search and rescue call is made.
What? Pointing out that they can't possibly know all laws and all changes and pointing out instances when they blew it? I don't see the disrespect in that. Just the facts ma'am.
I would consider you an expert in your field... you going to tell me you are never wrong. Lol
My point is the exception isn't the rule as some seem to want people to believe.
In the end there are people that hate/talk down/ degrade GW all the time, chances are very high that a GW may be first responder if something bad happens off the pavement. For that simple reason, I can deal with a wrong call on thier part that might inconvenience me.
Posted By: therancher
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/08/17 04:12 PM
Other than the Louisiana guy (whole nuther realm) I don't see a lot of disrespect. I agree, I don't expect them to be right all the time. I blame the ridiculous myriad of laws not the enforcers. And that's the reason I harp on the times they fail. To make folks realize how ridiculous many game laws are, and that you can't possibly know them all.
Posted By: BOBO the Clown
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/08/17 04:15 PM
Other than the Louisiana guy (whole nuther realm) I don't see a lot of disrespect. I agree, I don't expect them to be right all the time. I blame the ridiculous myriad of laws not the enforcers. And that's the reason I harp on the times they fail. To make folks realize how ridiculous many game laws are, and that you can't possibly know them all.
Not disagreeing
Posted By: TurkeyHunter
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/08/17 07:33 PM
Law enforcement officers are people. People make errors and have various interpretations of what they witness. You're also not declared guilty by law enforcement. That's why we have a court system. And even that can be subject to error.
Life isn't fair. However, I've found that obeying laws as best as I can and being respectful to people goes a long way toward making things more pleasant.
Posted By: Double Naught Spy
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/08/17 07:45 PM
In the end there are people that hate/talk down/ degrade GW all the time, chances are very high that a GW may be first responder if something bad happens off the pavement.
Maybe around the lakes during limited periods, but otherwise, I don't see this as very likely. First, there just aren't that many game wardens and in most counties, they aren't even operating 24/7. We have several counties were there are no game wardens at all and a lot where there is just one. The counties with the most game wardens tend to be counties with higher populations (and hence higher city and county services available), coastal counties, and Mexican border counties. In counties with multiples, it is not uncommon for one or more to be pulled to the Mexican border for homeland security duties as was explained to me during my daughter's hunter education class.
So maybe if you are in a border county, gulf coastal county, or on the lake for the 4th of July, there might be a good chance for the GW to be the first responder off pavement, but otherwise, there just aren't enough to cover the vastness of Texas around the clock.
Posted By: sbushee
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/13/17 11:59 AM
Why anyone would pick GW over DPS is a mystery to me. Bless their hearts I'm glad they do.
as a police officer in the metroplex with 14 years behind me I can't imagine why anyone would want to be a Trooper. I'd take GW over that any day
Posted By: sbushee
Re: Your local TPWD officer was found to be incorrect - 08/13/17 12:03 PM
My buddy had a warden tell him it was a requirement that ducks are retrieved. The law clearly says a reasonable attempt must be made. This is how he told me the story.
Warden was clearly having a bad day and this area of public water is popular and there are a lot of dead birds floating throughout the season. Warden cursed at him, called him unethical and violently shoved her wooden spoon handle into his gun trying to break his factory plug. Didn't establish he even shot the duck (there were other hunters in the area). Plus, where he shot it was protected from the wind and he could easily wade out to get it, but it was wounded and by the time he reloaded it swam out into current before he was able to put it out of its misery. By this time, it was too deep to wade to. You just told on your friend. You said the warden couldn't prove he shot the duck and then your next sentence you say he shot it. Lol
He was waiting for it to float across a creek opening into the shore and then hike around the creek and retrieve it. Warden was rude, unprofessional and intentionally misquoted the law, which was dangerous. A young or new hunter (although all hunters should know the laws) might have stripped down and try to swim out after a warden said that, which could cost someone their life.
My buddy is still chapped about it and might find a new county to hunt in this season. He was polite and did everything she asked because he didn't want to get into it with law enforcement. Plus, he knew she was wrong and his license, steel shot and magazine plug were all in order, so he wasn't going to get a ticket.
One can always make a nicely worded official complaint. I believe it does get recorded. A rant typically get's ignored.
That's what I said. I think he was worried about getting more grief in the future because it could've only been one warden in that area that did it.
My buddy had a warden tell him it was a requirement that ducks are retrieved. The law clearly says a reasonable attempt must be made. This is how he told me the story.
Warden was clearly having a bad day and this area of public water is popular and there are a lot of dead birds floating throughout the season. Warden cursed at him, called him unethical and violently shoved her wooden spoon handle into his gun trying to break his factory plug. Didn't establish he even shot the duck (there were other hunters in the area). Plus, where he shot it was protected from the wind and he could easily wade out to get it, but it was wounded and by the time he reloaded it swam out into current before he was able to put it out of its misery. By this time, it was too deep to wade to.
He was waiting for it to float across a creek opening into the shore and then hike around the creek and retrieve it. Warden was rude, unprofessional and intentionally misquoted the law, which was dangerous. A young or new hunter (although all hunters should know the laws) might have stripped down and try to swim out after a warden said that, which could cost someone their life.
My buddy is still chapped about it and might find a new county to hunt in this season. He was polite and did everything she asked because he didn't want to get into it with law enforcement. Plus, he knew she was wrong and his license, steel shot and magazine plug were all in order, so he wasn't going to get a ticket.
One can always make a nicely worded official complaint. I believe it does get recorded. A rant typically get's ignored.
That's what I said. I think he was worried about getting more grief in the future because it could've only been one warden in that area that did it.
My buddy had a warden tell him it was a requirement that ducks are retrieved. The law clearly says a reasonable attempt must be made. This is how he told me the story.
Warden was clearly having a bad day and this area of public water is popular and there are a lot of dead birds floating throughout the season. Warden cursed at him, called him unethical and violently shoved her wooden spoon handle into his gun trying to break his factory plug. Didn't establish he even shot the duck (there were other hunters in the area). Plus, where he shot it was protected from the wind and he could easily wade out to get it, but it was wounded and by the time he reloaded it swam out into current before he was able to put it out of its misery. By this time, it was too deep to wade to.
He was waiting for it to float across a creek opening into the shore and then hike around the creek and retrieve it. Warden was rude, unprofessional and intentionally misquoted the law, which was dangerous. A young or new hunter (although all hunters should know the laws) might have stripped down and try to swim out after a warden said that, which could cost someone their life.
My buddy is still chapped about it and might find a new county to hunt in this season. He was polite and did everything she asked because he didn't want to get into it with law enforcement. Plus, he knew she was wrong and his license, steel shot and magazine plug were all in order, so he wasn't going to get a ticket.
One can always make a nicely worded official complaint. I believe it does get recorded. A rant typically get's ignored.
That's what I said. I think he was worried about getting more grief in the future because it could've only been one warden in that area that did it.