That is the biggest bunch of false BS posted here.

I have two very close friends who are state game wardens, they would tell you a little different story.

GW's haven't been used for that reason for drug searches in many years because TPWD knew it was a lawsuit waiting to happen.

You need to learn what your talking about.

I rfeally don't understand. Why do you have to leave a wing attached?

Well I have video to prove you wrong, and I have personally witnessed GW's used on house searches in south Dallas and in FW...

With all due respect! It is a myth. Game wardens are subject to the dames rules andaws as any other law enforcement officer. Yes they are use sometimes because they recognize game laws and subsequently could gain access to a search and or arrest when other officers would have overlooked the probable cause and or reasonable suspicion.

I hate being ignored!

Prolly to identify species

Thanks for replying bwilliams. Do you know what the law is concerning what this thread has been talking about? You can't have cleaned game in your vehicle in an ice chest?

You can, but it has to have a wing attached to verify that your game is within the legal specie limit. This stops people from say shooting 3 pintail and breasting them, later to be checked and claiming those birds in the ice chest are gadwall.

The guy knew better(you said so), so I have no sympathy. He broke the law and got caught. What I find disturbing is you want to come on here and "rant" because your friend got caught for doing something illegal. Time to take responsibility for your actions.

Please tell me where to find this video....

Game wardens can be present for any house raid, etc., because they are a STATE POLICE OFFICER, just like a DPS officer. Though it is generally frowned upon by TPWD in Austin.

The only way a game warden can search a house without a warrant is if they have reason to believe there are illegally taken game animals or fish in that residence, and they have to have reasonable proof ahead of time to support that suspicion. They can't just go to a door and say, "hey, do you hunt or fish?" and then say "you do, ok, then I need to search your house".

As far as drugs or anything else they have to have a warrant just like any other police officer. End of discussion, period....

Those days are gone, unfortunately.

Sorry your buddy didn't have a great experience with the GW. My experience has always been if you are respectful they show the same respect. As far as getting caught, well it was just that...he got caught, pay the lady at the window.

Leave a wing.. Its the law!! Case closed.

Vehicles....... NO, but they CAN poke their noses into coolers in the bed if they want.

the bigger issue to me in all this is that he could take more liberty in searching my vehicle without my permission... Without my being present... Without a search warrant. More liberties than can be taken in the investigation of a crime against a "person. It is that erosion of our privacy and rights that is most disturbing to me. Based upon the public responses and PM's received here that seems to be be the consensus.

Was my buddy wrong in not following the law specific to the "wing" requirement? Yep, he was wrong. By the way, the judge said it was bogus too.

So, I suppoose if gun control is ever passed we are gonna hand those over willingly? It "would" be the lawful thing to do..

Was the vehicle unlocked? Did the GW use a Slim Jim, or call OnStar to unlock it? How did he search the vehicle without anyones permission? Or are you talking about coolers laying in the bed of the truck?

Was the vehicle unlocked? Did the GW use a Slim Jim, or call OnStar to unlock it? How did he search the vehicle without anyones permission? Or are you talking about coolers laying in the bed of the truck?

Guilt by association. Your buddy broke the law, if'n I was the game warden I would have a pretty good hunch to search the vehicle parked next to it if they were associated.

I would almost bet that if a car was pulled over and the driver was found to have illegal narcotics on himself, the passenger would probably be getting searched too.

Back down??

Grendel6.5 + TDK = Stalemate

his ice chest was in my truck. He searched it before he knew anything. Besides, if someone were intentionally poaching or illegally harvesting game do you think they would take the meat to the field while hunting? Where was probable cause?

Enough said. No wonder our current president got elected.

Obama is the best thing to happen to this country! I voted for him...
I cant wait to move to TX and spread my liberal views!

Austin maybe?

You were involved in the taking of wildlife. You may not like it, I dont; but thats the probable cause they need. It has always been this way. Why do you think its possible for a GW to come ask to see your gun and licenses even though you have not done anything illegal? Because your involved in taking game.

Obama supporter regards...

How did you know?

Maybe Oak Lawn?

Question about this:

1.17 When do exigent circumstances justify a warrantless search?

A. General Rule. If probable cause is present, Service officers may immediately search for and seize evidence that they reasonably believe will be destroyed or removed to another location before they can secure a search warrant. The Supreme Court recognized that law enforcement officers encounter such exigent circumstances and ruled that where probable cause exists, warrantless searches are necessary to prevent the loss of evidence.

So is citing "exigent circumstances" the way game wardens skirt the issue of getting a warrant? It appears that it would be easy for game wardens to prove exigent circumstances.
I can see how almost any court would uphold this because of how fast poachers work.

Disclaimer: I'm not saying anyone is a poacher.