Game Warden Blotter

DUMPING MATTRESSES AFTER STORAGE WARS

Several dumped mattresses on the side of the road were observed by a game warden, who worked with the local dispatchers to identify several individuals that led him to a local storage unit. After speaking with the owner of the storage unit, the warden discovered the mattresses were part of an online storage unit auction. The persons who purchased two units were located, and based off photos and talking to a previous owner, the items in each storage united matched the items dumped. Later, the warden received a tip that the suspects would be at another storage unit. Wardens and a DPS Trooper met and watched the suspects enter the storage unit area. The suspects were contacted and identified them as the purchasers of the storage units. During the interview, the smell of marijuana was emitting from the suspect’s vehicle. The female suspect admitted to a small amount in the vehicle. Both suspects were arrested for illegal dumping. A probable cause search of the vehicle was then conducted and a bag containing a white crystal powder was found, along with a jar of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

REWARD FOR POACHED ALLIGATOR

On September 11, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a Texas game warden responded to a call of a dead alligator at a boat ramp located at the Port of Liberty. After further investigation, it was determined that the alligator had been shot in the head and half of its tail had been cut-off. A reward has been offered for information leading to the culprit(s). Call Operation Game Thief with any information.

TWO BASS BOATS COLLIDE

Five people were injured and sent to the hospital following a boating collision on Lake Palestine. According to a Henderson County game warden, a call came in at 11:42 a.m. about a collision between two bass boats in the Flat Creek area of Lake Palestine. Four people were injured on one of the boats and one on the other. One person was hospitalized. All occupants were wearing a life jacket and alcohol did appear to be a factor.

FISHERMAN RESCUED AFTER BOAT RUNS AGROUND

A concerned spouse reported her husband had left their dock in South Padre Island to fish at the entrance of the Arroyo Colorado near Green Island but had not returned as scheduled. A Coast Guard helicopter and boat responded and, after about five hours, located the 72-year-old boater on his vessel, which was aground near Green Island. The crew hoisted the boater and transported him to the Port Isabel-Cameron County Airport in Los Fresnos, where his wife met him.

FISH DEALS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Game wardens issued citations to an illegal retail fish dealer for no retail license and no aquatic invoices. Wardens received information from a local agency with an officer who spoke Chinese and discovered the dealers on a Chinese social media page, advertising fish deals in a warehouse. Wardens, along with NOAA federal agents, waited for the semi-truck to drop the product and disburse the fish to their customers.

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

AN AMERICAN LEGEND

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Reds grouped up

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the tide is high, schools can be found working shallow stretches that are swarming with baitfish and crabs.”

Denise Hendrix has been seeing massive schools of redfish crashing at the surface along the Bolivar beachfront.

“Just recently, I saw two areas along the surf that erupted in chaos as a feeding frenzy of redfish came to the surface,” she said.

Christian Beckerman landed an almost 40-inch redfish while fishing along the Galveston seawall near the Pleasure Pier, and Claude Martin reported a ton of redfish lurking along the Freeport jetties. He’s been landing mostly upper slot reds and bull reds.

Along the Surfside jetties, David Cheng encountered a massive school of feeding bull reds.

“The fish were swarming everywhere and eating everything in their line of sight,” he said.

Sargent-area angler Christopher McKinley said there are good numbers of reds hanging out along drop-offs with structure along the Intracoastal Waterway.

“There’s also quite a few redfish cruising up and down the south shoreline of East Matagorda Bay,” he explained. “The mid-bay reefs in East Bay, as well as stretches of sand and scattered shell also have been good for catching plenty of reds.”

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