The following are excerpts from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
Giving Back
Recently, Polk County game wardens reached out to local landowners to find ways to give back to their community through the outdoors. The decision was made to organize a disabled veteran and youth hunt. A drawing was held on social media to select qualifying participants for the hunt, which in turn created great support from local businesses and community members. A father (retired Navy veteran) and son (first time hunter) were selected to participate in the hunt. The father and son joined Game Wardens on the Simon Peter Bend Ranch for an amazing hunt. Both hunters and the landowner were thrilled about the experience, and now plan to keep in contact with one another. Moye’s Processing donated full processing of the meat, and McQuilkin Taxidermy donated a full shoulder mount of the deer. A big thank you to Scott and Toni Cochran-Hughes for the Texas hospitality and amazing meals, as well as fully supporting our nation’s heroes.
Brotherly Love
A Cass County game warden was contacted by a landowner about a man he caught on his game camera carrying two rifles. The warden recognized the person and contacted the suspect’s brothers to confirm the location of the suspect and to help set up an interview. Wardens interviewed the suspect, who admitted to hunting from the roadway and shooting a pig. The pig ran onto a hunting lease and the suspect admitted to searching for the pig on the lease with both guns. Charges pending.
Safe Harbor
Cass County game wardens received a call from a couple of duck hunters who were unable to get back to land from the Sulphur River. Wardens responded with a flat bottom boat, attempting to locate the hunters. Both hunters were located and transported to paramedics, who were waiting nearby. One hunter was hypothermic due to exposure to the cold water and the other was checked out and later released.
Tractor Pull
A Cherokee County game warden came upon a hunter on a tractor attempting to dump the carcass of a doe deer. The subject stated that he was not aware that doe days had closed on November 29th. Upon questioning, it was determined that the subject’s friend, who was back at camp, had also had some success that morning and had taken a buck. Upon arrival at the camp, the warden discovered an untagged buck that also failed to meet antler restrictions. Cases pending.