Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire What A Tx Game Warden Told Me

His name was David Hancock and we became friends in the early 'sixties when he was posted to Young County. In fact, this is where he served his entire career.

Back then, Tx Game Wardens were not armed, at least openly, and concerned themselves strictly with enforcing fish and game laws.

I asked him once if it was true that they were the only officers who could search a home without a warrant.

His answer: "YEAH, BUT IF WE DO, WE DAMN WELL BETTER FIND WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR".

had one stop by my buddy Geoff house during this past duck season, it was Geoff's birthday, he told us we didn't have to worry about shooting over the limit for that one day. we still only killed our limits. good to have one as friend.

I am friends with a Tennessee game warden.

He encourages us to shoot wild boars onsite, regardless of where or when.

Since I don't live in Tennessee, its a moot point I guess.

That's 'cause they can't, and never could, although they sure tricked a lot of people into thinking so. The Constitution says otherwise.

Not even in "Hot pursuit"?

Not any different than any other LEO.

I had a Game Warden search the toolboxes on my truck at a game check station once. I thought he was looking for tape to re attach the tag to my deer. He said no, he was just checking to see if I had other game I hadn't claimed.

I asked 2 friends of mine what the legal requirements are of Game Wardens. One was a judge, the other a highway patrolman. They both told me that Game Wardens had to abide by the same laws as any other law enforcement agency. I think actions like this helps smear the reputation of Game Wardens, they choose to do this on their own...

Word.


This ought to be a lively, uninformed discussion though...

They really take advantage of that myth. You'll notice that they'll normally word their delivery with something like "Alright, can I look at your fish, now?" or something like that. It's technically a request for consent, and perfectly legal. The problem is that most people don't realize they have the right to refuse.

used to know a number of Florida F&G guys back in the day. Everyone a standup man, smart, dedicated, and true outdoorsmen.
Today, at least in Florida, they are all kids, half of 'em are women, and they don't seem to know a damn thing about the outdoors.
It has become just another good government job.

This is a pretty good explanation of what wardens are allowed to do and not do.

It all hinges on probable cause, as with any other search by a peace officer.

http://www.okgamewarden.com/PastIssues/2005-Issue2/Search_and_Seizure.html

Yeah, they tend to use verbal consent to search, at least more than other peace officers.

I very rarely used verbal and got them to sign a written consent to search.

Very surprisingly most guilty people would sign that. (Did they think I was going to miss finding the evidence?)

Good link. Everybody needs to read it.

Nope...they think is they say "Sure, go ahead and search.", you'll say "Ahh...just kiddin'.".

But then there is their "trespass" on private land.

Yeah, I really liked THIS part: " a person's home is the most sacred and protected place under Fourth Amendment law."

Right? "Curtilage" is an interesting issue from a legal standpoint.

I've known David to shut down a pumping unit when a stuffing box was leaking oil out onto the ground. In one instance, when he returned and found the pumping unit restarted and still leaking, he cut the belts on it!

Thanks for that.

I've told the brown shirts 'NO' more than a few times. I had NOTHING but miserable experiences with the SOB's in Alaska.