Alright guys we had to have the Game Warden come out and assist in searching for a deer that crossed the property line. Lost the deer unfortunately and the hunter was sick at his stomach considering it was the first buck.

Now to the point that I found out that us hunters don't know near as much as we think we do. The Game Warden was considerate enough to shoot the breeze with us and let us ask some questions. The topic of exotics came up since we all passed some down the road in a high fence on the way into the lease.

I brought up the fact that you could shoot exotics year round since there isn't a season. That is where the conversation turned educational.

YOU CANNOT SHOOT EXOTICS UNLESS YOU OWN THEM!!!!

He explained that exotics are treated under the agriculture code along with cows, sheep, goats, and other things. Unless you have permission from the owner to shoot the animal there can be penalties if the owner chooses to press charges. There can be criminal and or civil charges filed. If the animal can be identified through branding, notched ear, tattoo, or some other way the owner has grounds to file.

He stated that the TPWD stance was that they didn't care one way or the other if someone shoots an exotic but if the owner does care then their stance has to change because of the law.

I asked about the hill country where there seem to be many free ranging exotics and his advice was if he was presented with the situation he would rather not have to deal with the headache if the owner decided he wanted restitution for his animal.

I thought this was extremely insightful considering the census of hunters is that they are a free for all if they get on your property.

I know on the public land in Tom Green County that some elk escaped from a high fence place onto the public land.After finding the elk with helicopter and the getting a count on the bulls and cows the city of san angelo, which manages the land around there put a no shoot law on the elk to let the heard grow. They will at some time in the future draw tags for these elk.This kinda reminded me of that situation so i guess the reason i was putting this on here if you hunt public land and the animal you want to harvest is a exotic make sure you contact the city or county that manages the land before decide to harvest if you dont want to get in trouble.Thanks for the info

If it is on your property, it could be a sheep or a pig or a dog. Or a Gnu. Same rules, I think.

So if some exotics get on your land and destroy a fence, crop or your feeder to get the corn out and they are able to be identified by same said markings as described by the game warden. Then the owner of the exotics should be held criminally and financially responsible as well ?? Hummm....... Wheat just getting up......exotics eating wheat and pulling it out of the ground cause roots are not deep enough...... About $20 a bushel for seed....70 acres.......about a bushel a acre.... $3.00 a gallon for farm diesel......that adds up.

Nope Texas is a fence out state. That means its your job to keep em off your land

Sad but true.

if it branded or tagged, free ranging animals have no tags or brands, its game on with those.

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No brand etc. no way to prove ownership. I would be surprised if those elk are still around ttex. Way too many people knew they were there.

We don't have any exotic but I'll have to say this is one of the best posts I've seen in a long time. It may have saved some members from unexpected trouble.

A story that relates. The buffalo killing.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124890977&ps=cprs

did some more digging. Apparently the link I posted earlier was way outdated. This link confirms what the OP stated.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/regulations/fish_hunt/hunt/nongame/

Not all of Texas is. Check your local county for their stock laws. Jones county where I hunt is closed range. Means owner of animals is responsible for keeping their animals fenced in on their place.

If you're in an "open range" jurisdiction, it is a property owner's obligation to "fence out" lifestock, and cattlemen face no liability if their cattle are not properly excluded. If you're in a "closed range" jurisdiction, it is a cattleman's obligation to "fence in" (enclose and restrain) his animals or face liability.

Interesting good to know... probably won't change anything on my exotics policies, but good to know.

Thanks for posting.

Eye opening for sure.

If it's on my land and no proof or tag, it's mine.

seems if its on your land and you shoot hard to prove it had a tag or brand if its skinned and quartered.

The game warden stated that it was really common for exotics to be tattooed on the inside of their lip. Like race horses can be. Would be hard to tell until their dead.

Just wanted to share something I learned especially since I thought they were fair game.

Good info. Thanks!

I'm sorry but I think a good lawyer could get you out of this if it came to that situation. If its on my property, its fair game and I would expect the same if something of mine was on someone elses property.

I never stated that you couldn't get out of it. Heck people get away with murder. I just stated that they aren't a "free pass" like I had thought they were and many others on this board.

The Game Warden informed me that there was currently a case trying to be resolved with this exact situation. They were encouraging the land owner and hunter to try and settle it between themselves but the land owner wouldn't so the Game Warden had to get involved because it was "hunting."

Heck I am not saying that I wouldn't shoot one I am just saying be careful.

So if I'm cruising down hwy 285 and I smack Joe Bull axis. I can/will hold him responsible correct? If the exotics are tagged and the landowner is laying claim to them he pays for repairs, injuries, deaths etc

I can see where this can be a double edge sword. My elk crosses into your pastue and you shoot it, you owe me x amount. That same elk gets out hits a car...........well it's not mine anymore, cause I don't want the liability

I'm thinkIng high fenced all the way or chance it? Interesting post

Well since the state seems to think it's my responsibility to keep my neighbors wandering livestock off of my property, would it not be the states responsibility to keep wandering livestock off of theirs?

Getting into the same argument that if you hit a deer on the highway, the state is responsible for it. The state fixes your car without you having to file a claim. I agree with your post, Mike. Where does the liability lie?

We have had that discussion before about the State taking responsibility over claims for wt deer etc. It aint gonna happen. It would bankrupt the state in 2 months