Game Warden Blotter

Saltwater Fishing Report

QUAIL HUNTERS SWING TOWARD FRIEND, BOY

In Clay County, three friends were quail hunting with a guide and two bird dogs. The shooter fired on low-flying quail and shot toward the victim from 30 yards. Five pellets struck the victim in the eye, face and shoulder. Another group was quail hunting with a guide and bird dogs in Freestone County when one person fired on low-flying quail and shot toward a 9-year-old who was lagging behind the rest of the group. Pellets struck the boy in the face, head, neck and legs.

NIGHT VISION RISKS

In Lamar County, two men were hunting hogs with night vision scopes. One shot toward his companion, who stood close by as he swung his .308 caliber rifle on running hogs. The bullet struck the companion in his back/shoulder blade and exited his triceps muscle.

MAN SHOT WHILE HOG HUNTING AT NIGHT

Three men were hunting hogs in Coryell County with night vision scopes, when one of the men split from the other two, letting them

HUNTING ACCIDENTS DOWN, BUT ONE FATALITY

While hunting accidents continue to trend downward to near-record levels, in 2021, the final report of hunting accidents and fatalities showed a number of accidents, most of which officials state could have been prevented. There was one fatality accident in 2021, resulting from the discharge of a firearm in Harrison County. While unloading a .30-30 lever action rifle with the muzzle facing the victim, the handler let the hammer down while there was still one cartridge in the chamber. The victim died from the wound. The shooter missed a shot at a hog, then swung his rifle and fired towards a second hog. The bullet struck the victim in lower abdomen and exited the lower back.

LEAVE THE LOW-FLYING DOVE

Multiple shooters were firing at low-flying dove in Medina County while another was in a sunflower field retrieving a downed bird. The victim, about 50 yards away, was struck by 17 pellets to his face, arm and torso. The game warden received an account only from the victim who did not know who shot in his direction. Another individual in Kimble County fired at low-flying dove and peppered one of his hunting companions who had repositioned himself to another side of a pond about 25-35 yards away. The victim was struck by pellets to head and upper torso. Also, while dove hunting in Uvalde County, an individual fired on low-flying dove and peppered his hunting companion who was 20 yards away and bent over, retrieving a downed bird. The companion was hit by pellets in the back, arm, neck and head. Finally, in Bee County, an individual fired at low-flying dove and peppered one of his hunting companions who was on the other side of a pond. The companion was struck by pellets to his arm, shoulder, hand and lip.

MAKE SURE GUN UNLOADED

In Zavala County, while changing shot tubes in the muzzle of his shotgun, an individual discharged his loaded shotgun and sent the blast of pellets through his hand. Another shooter fired on low-flying dove and peppered his hunting companion who had left and then returned to the hunting location.

FIFTEEN RESCUED FROM SINKING CRAFT

Over the 4th of July weekend, the Coast Guard assisted 15 people aboard a vessel taking on water near Port Aransas. Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi received a report from the operator of an 87-foot pleasure craft stating their vessel was sinking near the Port Aransas Municipal Boat Marina with 15 people aboard. A 45-foot Response Boat crew helped remove several passengers and began using pumps to dewater the vessel, and transferred those taken off the vessel to a nearby pier. The owner of the vessel, which is submerged near the Port Aransas Municipal Boat Marina, will arrange for its salvage.