Eyes, Ears of Texas Game Wardens

Wildlife trafficking is a multibillion-dollar transnational industry that affects every part of the world, including Texas.

In the Lone Star State, mature white-tailed bucks are killed on midnight runs, then beheaded for bragging rights. Various freshwater and saltwater fish are caught with illegal nets in large quantities, without regard for size or bag limits. Shrimp and oysters are harvested in illegal quantities and from areas closed to harvest. Even birds, snakes, turtles, mussels and protected plants fall prey to unscrupulous operators.

This is why Operation Game Thief (OGT) was legislated into existence in 1981, in order to help curtail the poaching.

The non-profit group helps the enforcement arm of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by offering cash rewards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of wildlife crime.

The group provides $25,000 in financial support to the families of every game warden and park police killed in the line of duty.

They have also given $600,000 to the TPWD for purchasing specialized technological equipment for game wardens.

Funding also goes toward outreach and education across Texas to protect natural resources and private property rights, through programs like its Wall of Shame traveling exhibit.

OGT is dependent on financial support from the public through the purchase of memberships, merchandise, donations, sponsorships and gifts.

Reporting

People who have information on lawbreakers are asked to call (800) 792-GAME (4263). The reward hotline is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Operation Game Thief website at www.ogttx.org.

Operation Game Thief’s exhibition trailer is 20 feet by 40 feet and holds illegal game and firearms. — Photo courtesy Operation Game Thief