Passport to Texas

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.

Helicopter Crash Survival Training Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Texas Game Wardens always hone their skills; and in a segment airing the week of July 3, the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV series on PBS takes you on their HUET training.

H-U-E-T. Stands for Helicopter Underwater Egress Training.

Producer, Bruce Biermann, says game wardens are not immune to the dangerous situations in which they often find themselves.

Our game wardens get into a lot of precarious situations whenever there’s flooding and they have to go out and rescue people. And part of their training is what to do if they, themselves, get in trouble. For example, the helicopter goes down over a body of water.

A controlled pool environment at NASA was the site of the training. Using multiple GoPro cameras, Biermann takes viewers into the helicopter-like structure, and under water with the game wardens.

I think I had six tiny little cameras on the game wardens’ helmets, all over the inside, on the outside. So, it really gave the viewer the effect of being in the water with them. So, when the unit flips upside down, you’re going upside down through the water with them. The audio…where it sounds like you’re above the water, and then gurgle…gurgle…when it goes underneath… So, it really takes the viewer deeper into what the game wardens are feeling when they’re training.

View this segment on the Texas Parks and Wildlife TV show the week of July 3. Check your local listings.

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.

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.

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.