Game Warden Blotter

SPOTLIGHTING WITH PERMISSION, BUT NO LICENSE

After receiving reports of night road hunting in Kimble County, game wardens conducting nighttime observation heard the first of multiple gunshots and observed individuals spotlighting. With the use of night vision goggles, the wardens located the individuals. The wardens made contact with 11 individuals located on a ranch off County Road 313, and learned the individuals had permission to be on the property. The individuals were all from out of state and all admitted to hunting. No one in the group possessed a valid Texas hunting license. The individuals shot several jackrabbits, raccoons and other nongame animals. The wardens issued 11 citations for hunting nongame animals without a valid Texas hunting license.

THEY DIDN’T RUN FAR

After a short pursuit, an Edwards County game warden apprehended two individuals for shooting a white-tailed deer off of Highway 55. The weapons were seized and civil restitution and multiple criminal charges were filed.

AXIS POACHER NABBED In Edwards County, while working with local landowners, a game war-

TWO BUCKS DUMPED OFF OF BRIDGE

On Sept. 16, Limestone County game wardens received multiple calls regarding two white-tailed bucks that were dumped off a creek bridge on LCR 740 (Running Branch Road), just south of Oletha. Both bucks had the heads cut off and backstraps removed, and all other edible meat was allowed to waste. The carcasses are believed to have been dumped during the night of September 14-15. Operation Game Thief is offering a reward for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the persons responsible.

den apprehended three individuals who shot an exotic animal from a public roadway. Wardens had been watching the individual for several weeks, and a landowner called in a suspicious vehicle that was driving slowly. A warden responded to the call from several miles away. While in route, the warden received a second call informing the individuals were seen taking an axis deer from the public road. The individuals were apprehended and confessed. Multiple charges filed and cases pending.

CAST NETTING FROM A JET SKI

On Decker Lake in Travis County, game wardens encountered two different groups of men fishing with cast nets from boats and jet skis. The wardens found both groups in possession of multiple game fish including bass and crappie. The fish were seized and donated to a family on the shore. Multiple citations and civil restitution are pending.

NIGHT VISION SPOTS NIGHT SHRIMPING

On West Matagorda Bay, a Calhoun County game warden observed numerous commercial shrimp boats traveling in the bay system, and witnessed several of the commercial shrimp boats turn their navigation and deck lights off. Through the utilization of night vision, the warden determined that the boats in question had dropped their nets in the water and began shrimping. Two commercial shrimp boat captains were issued citations for shrimping at night, and all resources were returned to Matagorda Bay.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES REOPEN

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement office locations reopened to the public on Sept. 30. Appointments are no longer required, except at the Austin Headquarters. Offices will implement social distancing measures that will keep customers and employees 6 feet apart. Customers will not be allowed to congregate in office lobbies or in open areas and may be asked to wait outside or in their vehicles should an office become too crowded and social distancing cannot be practiced effectively. Masks, or face coverings, must be worn by the general public and TPWD employees.

BAITING CHARGES TO 20, 100 BIRDS SEIZED

Texas game wardens in Nacogdoches, Angelina and Houston counties found several separate groups of dove hunters hunting over bait and rallying birds. A total of 20 separate violators who illegally harvested more than 100 birds were all cited. The birds were seized and donated.

DEER DUMPED IN HILL COUNTY

Game wardens are seeking information regarding a deer with the head removed dumped on County Road 1211 north of Whitney in Hill County. The carcass was likely dumped during the night of Sept. 12 or the morning of Sept. 13. Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the identifi cation, arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible.

REPORT ILLEGAL HUNTING AND FISHING ACTIVITY FOR A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000. CALL OPERATION GAME THIEF AT (800) 792-4263

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