Passport to Texas

It’s all part of the job.

Ask a Game Warden: How to Report Wildlife Violations Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas’ Ask a Game Warden

It’s officially fall hunting season in Texas. But what if you suspect someone of illegally harvesting wildlife?

If they see something they think is a violation, and they have the contact information readily available, contact your local game warden and let them know that [what you observed].

Lieutenant Lewis Rather is Operation Game Thief Coordinator for Texas Parks and Wildlife. If you don’t have your Game Warden’s contact information, then remember this number: 800.792.GAME. It’s the Operation Game Thief hotline.

It’s operated 24/7, and our dispatchers will take those calls and get them out to the game wardens immediately, electronically.

Callers remain anonymous. Before making the call, Lt. Rather says be prepared to provide as much information as possible about the incident. Remember: your safety is paramount.

If you have your phone available, and you can take a picture of the license plate number of the vehicle—take a clear picture of that. Maybe a picture of the violators, if you‘re at a safe location where you can do so. Also, a description of the violators; a good description of what the violation is you think. Where it’s located. And even a description and the color of the vehicle. And one of the most important things, if the vehicle is starting to leave, and you call Operation Game Thief with the information, give them a direction of travel and tell them when they left. And make sure you have a good cell phone number for the dispatcher, in case a game warden needs to call you and ask more questions.

If you spot a wildlife violation call 800.792.GAME. That’s 800.792.4263.

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

Care to ride along with a Texas Game Warden on one of these?

Ask a Game Warden: Can Citizens go on Ride Alongs? Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas Ask a Game Warden

Since the TV show Lone Star Law—which is about Texas Game Wardens—premiered in June on Animal Planet, interest in ride-a-longs has increased.

A ride along is when someone from the public that’s not a commissioned peace officer actually rides with a game warden during their patrol—either in a vessel or in a vehicle.

Listener Mason from Southeast Texas sent a question into Ask a Game Warden inquiring whether members of the public are permitted to tag along while they make their rounds. Chief of Special Operations for Texas Game Wardens, Grahame Jones, says the answer is a qualified “yes.”

What they would need to do is contact their local Game Warden; they can go to the sheriff’s office or local game warden office. And you can actually go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, and locate the find a game warden tab—you can actually get the phone number for your game warden that way—and then make contact with them. In general, the ride-a-long can take a while to get approved through the chain of command. So, they’re not always feasible. Ideally, we like to reserve the ride-a-long programs for college students, maybe an internship from a university, or someone from the media that wants a little bit closer look at what we do.

Send your question to Ask a Game Warden from the contact us page at passporttotexas.org. We may answer it on the radio.

That’s our show…funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

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

Game Warden keeping Texas waters and those who use them safe.

Ask A Game Warden: Dangers of the Job Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas Ask a Game Warden

Grahame Jones, Chief of Special Operations for Texas Game Wardens, will be the first to tell you that these law enforcement professionals love their jobs.

It’s an incredible opportunity. Our office is outside; we get some very cool equipment: four-wheel drive vehicles and vessels and ATVs [all terrain vehicles] and those sorts of things.

It may sound like an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors, but there’s more to it. Much more. And radio listener, Mason Outzs contacted us to ask about the dangers Game Wardens face on a daily basis.

There are dangers. We’ve lost 19 game wardens in the line of duty since 1895; six of those game wardens were actually murdered and six of those game wardens drowned. So, we never really know what type of situation we’re going to come up on. We’re often working at night, alone, in very remote areas. Many times our game wardens are doing search and rescue and emergency response during some of the worst conditions imaginable. So, those are really some of the dangers that our game wardens have to deal with on a daily basis.

Grahame Jones says for Game Wardens who’ve been through traumatic experiences, they have access to members of the critical incident team, all of whom are trained in counseling.

Send your question to Ask a Game Warden from the contact us page at passporttotexas.org. We may answer it on the radio.

That’s our show. Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

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

Timber Rattlesnake

Ask a Game Warden: Is it Okay to Kill Snakes? Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas’ Ask a Game Warden

Some wildlife can be alarming. Twitter follower Julie Davis-Raley sent us a tweet asking if it is legal for citizens to shoot snakes they see in the road. We turned to Game Warden Kevin Davis, chief of wildlife enforcement, for her answer.

You know, there’s a state law that prohibits discharging firearms of any type from a roadway. What’s perplexing, though, is the thought that a snake needs to be shot. There are a lot of good snakes out there. Snakes are part of our ecosystem. Some are quite fascinating. Some are quite beautiful to look at. But, we do encourage safety around homes, and around things where snakes don’t need to be. And we certainly don’t want to discourage someone from keeping themselves safe. However, most snakes are put together something like this: if you leave them alone, they’re going to leave you alone. And so, we hope that by simply leaving that animal alone, that it goes on about its business and doesn’t need human intervention.

Send us a tweet with your questions for our game wardens. Use the hashtag #askagamewarden. We’re @passporttotexas. Your question could get answered on the radio.

Until next time…for Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Brent Deen when he was training military dogs in England. Photo from his Facebook page.

Ask a Game Warden: What Drew You to this Career? Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas’ Ask a Game Warden

Texas Game Wardens are licensed peace officers who protect the citizens and natural resources of Texas.

It was a dream of mine to one day become one.

We reached out to Texas Game Warden Brent Deen, in Val Verde County, to answer a question from listener, Laura McKissack of Austin, who asked: “What draws people to this line of work?”

I grew up hunting and fishing, and I think I was around eight years old when I realized what a game warden was. Which was someone that my dad said was out there to protect our state resources, and allow future generations to be able to grow up and enjoy them. After being in the military for 8 years I was able to obtain my degree. My wife and I were stationed over in England, and we had our first son; I realized I didn’t want to deploy anymore and miss out on his life. So we talked about it and we decided [it was time] for me to get out and pursue my dream of being a game warden, which fortunately, I was able to get in my first time [applying to the Academy].

Game Warden Brent Deen is dedicated to his community and his career.

If any kids are thinking about being a game warden, just tell them to get in contact with one of their local game wardens; it’s definitely the best job in the world.

Go to passporttotexas.org, and click on the contact page and submit your question to Ask a Game Warden.

That’s our show… Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

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