The following are excerpts from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports
Two Strikes and They're Out
During archery-only deer season, a Coke County game warden received a call from a local rancher concerned that his neighbor was hunting deer with firearms. The warden, who was enjoying the World Series at home on his day off, headed to the ranch. Once there, he set up a concealed area where he could observe any illegal hunting. Just after sundown, the warden heard a high-powered shot about 500 yards from his position. A minute later, he heard another shot. The warden waited, then made his way into the ranch to investigate. As he pulled up to the camp, two men and one woman were quartering two whitetail does. The men admitted to shooting the deer and showed the warden the rifles they used. They produced hunting licenses with no tags removed and no harvest logs completed. The quartered deer were also missing proof of sex, which was later discovered in a ravine behind the cabin. The warden recovered both deer. Cases were filed, along with civil restitution.
Catfish Surprise
Trinity and Angelina County Game Wardens, along with a regional chaplain, patrolled the Neches River, checking for hoop nets. They located one containing about 22 catfish. With bad weather impending, the wardens surmised that the fisherman might check the net later that evening. The chaplain and a warden built a blind to watch for the fisherman's return. The other wardens strategically parked their patrol vehicles and waited. Approximately 40 minutes later, the team in the blind heard a truck pull up and park on the opposite side of the river. The fishermen exited the vehicle, grabbed a pre-baited net and threw the net into the river. The net resembled the one found 50 yards away. Wardens initiated contact with the surprised fishermen from both sides of the river. Multiple citations for illegal means and methods were filed. Cases pending.