Game Warden Field Notes

The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) law enforcement reports. Kids Say the Darndest Things A Polk County game warden received a call from county dispatch regarding a father and his 9-year-old son who had gotten stuck in their buggy deep in a deer lease. They attempted to walk back to their camp and got lost. County dispatch was able to ping their location. The warden was able to follow the tracks to the father and son. Dad commented to the son, “Yeah, might be bad luck being the second time we’ve been stuck together,” as the son responds, “but each time, dad, you were driving.” The warden responded, “you’re a smart kid,” and presented him with a Texas Game Warden badge. Seedy Situation Cargo was being inspected at a Dallas-Fort Worth Airport by Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Inspectors when they came across packages containing what they claimed to be steel nippers. The package didn’t have the expected weight and was opened for inspection. Inside the box was numerous bags of vegetable seeds and dried shrimp. A package contained Ipomoea Aquatica seeds (water spinach), which is a harmful aquatic species in Texas. A second package claimed to be shirts. Wrapped inside the clothing was a bag that also contained Ipomoea Aquatica seeds. It is illegal to import or possess seeds in Texas. The cases were referred to a Tarrant County game warden and the packages were seized as evidence. The individuals who imported the products were issued citations. Swift Water Rescue A Terrell County game warden responded to a call from the sheriff ’s office when a local rancher was caught in a flash flood. His truck had died and was starting to move downstream from the rising water reaching the hood of his truck. It was dark and there were no lights to light his way to safety, so he called 911 for help. The warden responded along with a deputy and volunteers. Armed with swift water personal floatation devices (PFD), a throw bag, and rope they were able to make their way to the truck and extract the rancher to safety. Cue the Mutombo Finger Wag Two Jefferson County game wardens were patrolling Taylor’s Bayou when they saw a man in a shallow-drive mud boat quickly approaching them in the narrow bayou. The wardens motioned for the subject to slow down and he shook his finger at them. The wardens were able to position their boat beside the subject, forcing him to come to a stop. After checking his safety equipment, the wardens initiated an investigation after noticing signs of intoxication. The warden placed the subject under arrest for Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) and booked him into the Jefferson County Jail.