Game Warden Blotter

Datebook

WARDEN HONORED BY AGENCIES

Montgomery County Game Warden Brandon Meinkowsky was named the 2022 Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) Officer of the Year. The Officer of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual who excels in teamwork and public outreach, excellence and innovation and attitude and leadership.

NEW, RETIRED K9 OFFICERS

Several K9 officers were recognized for the dogs’ years of service as they retired to their handlers’ homes. The list included Ruger, one of the original dogs when the program started and 10-year-lab Cash that died this spring. Other retired officers included K9s Justin, Tito, Woodrow, Rusty, Ray, Turbo, Bosch and Bliss. Six new K9 officer completed training and became certified and commissioned. The officers are Jake, Sky, Izzy, Lola, May and Tito, who was forced into early retirement due to an injury.

HUNTER ED CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

Austin Zurek, of Midlothian, was recognized as the 1.5 millionth

HANCOCK NAMED WARDEN OF THE YEAR

Bo Hancock, a game warden in Brewster and Presidio counties, was named the 2022 Texas Game Warden of the Year by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. With only six years as a game warden, Hancock leads the Critical Incident Response Team, a role he has held for three years. The team is specially trained to focus on supporting wardens, fellow law enforcement and community members who have experienced traumatic incidents. Hancock coordinated the critical incident response team in Uvalde following the school shooting. Through patience and connection, Hancock helps unite communities after tragedy and utilizes his insight to teach his fellow wardens. He also created opportunities to share an appreciation of nature with younger generations through kid fish events, water safety programs and wildlife identification teams.

Hunter Education student at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission November meeting. Zurek completed a classroom course taught by Brian Moss, an outdoor education teacher in the Midlothian Independent School District. To highlight this milestone, both student and instructor received a commemorative .22-caliber “Golden Boy” rifle donated by Henry Repeating Arms. The first course in Texas was held on Feb. 28, 1972. The course was initially voluntary, but on June 11, 1987, with the signing of SB 504 by Governor Clements, a statute on Hunter Education in Texas was set. The TPW Commission subsequently passed rules for a mandatory Hunter Education program on June 1, 1988 and established a grandfather date of Sept. 2, 1971, meaning anyone born on or after that date, is required to pass Hunter Education to legally hunt in Texas.

A CHRISTMAS STORY FROM THE DIBOLL POLICE

Diboll officers were alerted about kids shooting a .22 rifle in the city. When they arrived, they found three 10 year old boys shooting a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun (just like Ralphie’s), at cans on the ground in a safe manner. The officers took some time out of their shift to teach the boys safe BB gun handling techniques.

WARDENS HONORED FOR BUI, DUI ARRESTS

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recognized Houston and Beaumont area game wardens were recognized with the 2021 Mothers Against Drunk Driving Outstanding Law Enforcement Award. According to Capt. Jennifer Weaver, the award is an encouraging incentive for her team’s determination. “We took on some of the most complicated intoxication cases—cases that require long hours, immense paperwork and due diligence,” she added. “Game wardens were not deterred. In several cases, they stepped up and out of their comfort zone to ensure intoxicated operators were held accountable.”