Passport to Texas

This is Passport to Texas

Ryan Adams was watching television with his wife when a white winged dove crashed into the side of their Pflugerville home and died. It was dove season, which made him think of his hunter friends in the field.

16— These people are going to go out, spend time, spend money and shoot doves. I just had one given to me; I was going to use it. So, I took it inside, plucked all the feathers, cleaned it, took care of all the innards, and then the next day I cooked it and ate it.

What Ryan, who is a food blogger, didn’t know was while his found feast was delicious and free, it was not legal.

09 – In order for game animals and game birds to be legally possessed, they need to be harvested during seasons, and with lawful means and methods appropriate for that game animal or game bird.

Officer Scott Vaca, Assistant Chief of Wildlife Enforcement says the side of a house does not constitute lawful means or methods. A reporter in Fort Worth saw Ryan’s blog, contacted TPW, and then wrote a story erroneously claiming Ryan was under investigation. It went viral, and the agency received heated criticism from the public.

24 – As soon as I found out I may have broken the law, there was no question: I contacted the department. I was just like, what do I need to do to set things right? Every single person has been beyond kind. It’s disheartening for me to see people who have done nothing wrong being demonized this way. Are there reasons to be upset about lots of things? Yes, but this is not one of them.

Tomorrow: why we don’t eat road kill…or house kill.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.