Passport to Texas

Where the pavement ends–that’s where you’ll find Texas Game Wardens.

Ask a Game Warden: Jurisdictional Differences Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas’ Ask a Game Warden

Game Wardens and State Troopers are state peace officers; although assigned to specific areas, they enforce laws and regulations wherever needed statewide.

Sharon Cundiff of Williamson County contacted us to ask about the difference between Wardens’ and Troopers’ jurisdictional areas. We reached out to Game Warden Travis Porter, in Tarrant County, to help sort things out.

43—One of the main differences between State Troopers and Game Wardens are that Game Wardens have the added ability to enforce wildlife and natural resource rules and regulations throughout the state as well. Game Wardens are the law enforcement off the pavement. Most of the time, we get off the roadway, and that’s where we enforce most of our rules and regulations. Texas Law grants us the ability to enforce those laws anywhere wildlife lives, roams, or can be found—with a few limitations. These laws are designed so that we can enter private and/or public property to enforce hunting, water safety, natural resource laws and regulations, when the situation is called to do so. Game Wardens use these abilities to promote and regulate safety among those who are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy the outdoors, and to help conserve natural resources for future generations.

Click on the Contact Us link at passporttotexas.org to submit your Ask a Game Warden question.

Lone Star Law featuring Texas Game Wardens airs on Animal Planet Thursdays at 9 p.m. CT.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation supports our series and helps keep Texas wild with the support of proud members across the state. Find out more at tpwf.org.

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

Texas Game Warden on the job.

Texas Game Wardens Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Texas Game Wardens became part of the fabric of our state in 1895 with the creation of the Fish and Oyster Commission by the Texas Legislature. The commission evolved into Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Since that time, our mission is to protect the citizens of Texas. Protect the natural resources of Texas. Conduct boating safety—water safety. It really encompasses a lot.

Grahame Jones is chief of special operations for Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Law Enforcement Division. He says Game Wardens are highly trained state peace officers.

We can enforce all Texas law. A big part of what Game Wardens do is public safety.

They’re often first on the scene during natural disasters. Game Wardens are members of the communities they serve, and advocate community policing.

We’re part of the community. We take great pride in outreach and education with schools—elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, community groups… And, we require our Game Wardens to take part in outreach, but we don’t have to. They do it anyway [because they want to do it].

With outreach in mind, we’re starting a new feature on the show called Ask a Game Warden.

We want to hear from the people, and I think this is a great way to do that, because that relates back to community policing.

To ask your question go to the contact page at passporttotexas.org and send us an email.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation supports our series and helps keep Texas wild with support of proud members across the state. Find out more at tpwf.org.

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