The following items were compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports:
Snapchatted
Henderson County game wardens followed up on a tip regarding a Snapchat posting of a white-tailed doe on Nov. 3. The doe was allegedly illegally harvested the night before opening day of the general firearm season.
After interviewing a suspect, a warden confirmed the deer pictured on Snap-chat was taken with the aid of artificial light. Three suspected violators later provided written statements admitting involvement in hunting the deer at night and failing to keep the deer in edible condition. Citations were issued to all violators.
Remote rescue
A Val Verde County game warden responded to a kayaker in distress call on Nov. 20. The paddler was part of a kayaking group that paddled the Pecos River at Pandale Crossing for a six-day, 55-mile trip to the Rio Grande River.
On the second day, a kayaker in the group injured his ribs after a hard fall on a white water rapid and was unable to continue. With over 40 miles of river left to navigate, they made an emergency call using a satellite phone and were able to give a rough location.
The warden used his extensive knowledge of the river and his relationship with area landowners to drive through some very rough country to their exact location and extract the injured man.
No lie, Facebook
A Trinity County man posted on Facebook about a white-tailed buck he claimed to have taken on Nov. 4.
A quick check by game wardens revealed the individual purchased his hunting license the day after he claimed the kill. After monitoring the subject’s Facebook page for a couple of days, and noting he had already gotten the finished taxidermy mount of the deer antlers, wardens arrived at the residence and asked to see the hunter’s license.
The hunting license was missing a mule deer tag, and the harvest log revealed the hunter killed a doe on the same day it was purchased.
Wardens asked to see the buck’s head. The hunter led the wardens to the living room of the residence where the skull was European mounted and displayed on the wall.
After a short interview, it was determined the buck was taken on Oct. 23 with a rifle during the archery-only hunting season. Multiple cases were filed as well as civil restitution.
Internet education
During the early September teal season, a game warden received a call about duck hunters taking big ducks. The warden made his way to the public hunting area where the acts were reported to have taken place and observed a vehicle parked in the designated parking area. Two hunters came up, and the warden made contact.
After checking licenses, permits and shotguns for compliance, the warden asked the hunters if they had taken any teal. Each subject said yes. After inspecting the teal, the warden told the hunters had taken cormorants, a federally-protected species. The hunters said they had no idea. They had researched it on the Internet and assumed it was a cinnamon teal. Also, one of the hunters did not have hunter education. Cases are pending.
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