game warden - Wildlife Management Pro

Texas Game Warden Injured by Alligator

Texas may not seem like suitable alligator habitat to those that don’t know much about our State, but Texas residents know that we have plenty of these large reptiles—over 250,000 to be exact. Alligators, not unlike other animals, can cause serious problems, especially because of their size, powerful jaws, and numerous teeth. Refugio County-based Game Warden Raul “Pinky” Gonzales found out the hard way. No wonder Texas has a well-regulated alligator hunting season in place for these prehistoric lizards.

Game Warden Gonzales is recovering this week from injuries suffered in a struggle with an 8-foot, 9-inch alligator. The incident began on Friday, April 2, when Gonzales responded to a call about an alligator on FM 136 just south of Woodsboro. He arrived to find the big ‘gator in the middle of the road. Attempting to relocate the animal, the warden got on top of it and began to tape its mouth. Although he has dealt with alligators for more than two decades and has never been injured, this time was different. The alligator swung its head and struck Gonzales squarely in the face, causing a severe cut to his upper lip, breaking a tooth, loosening another, and damaging his eyeglasses. Continue reading Texas Game Warden Injured by Alligator

Game Warden Investigates Dead Ocelot

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Game Warden Matt Waggoner, based in Palo Pinto County, is investigating the discovery of a dead ocelot east of Palo Pinto early Sunday. This member of the cat species is normally found only in the lower Rio Grande Valley, so the presence of an ocelot in Northwest Texas is highly unusual, Waggoner said.

A motorist spotted the dead animal along the right of way of Highway 180 as of the county seat about 7:45 a.m. Sunday. After viewing the animal and realizing it was probably an ocelot, the woman’s father-in-law called Parks and Wildlife. Waggoner took custody of the carcass and refrigerated it. Continue reading Game Warden Investigates Dead Ocelot

Texas Needs Game Wardens

Apply! The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking qualified applicants for a game warden cadet class scheduled to start November 1, 2009. Applications will be accepted from February 2 through April 30, 2009. More than 400 people applied for the 55 positions in the current cadet class that will graduate this June. Game warden applicants must be 21 years old on or before November 1 and have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The degree requirement must be met prior to September 1. To be accepted, applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements and successfully complete a regional interview, a physical readiness test, and an extensive background investigation. Applicants must successfully complete each step before advancing to the next step.

After graduation, the new game wardens will be assigned to vacant stations throughout Texas with the responsibility of protecting the state’s natural resources, such as white-tailed deer, migratory game birds, and alligators. Game wardens also protect lives by enforcing the Water Safety Act and conducting standard peace officer duties. More information on game warden cadet requirements may be obtained on the Law Enforcement Career Opportunities page on the TPWD Web site or at TPWD Law Enforcement offices.

For additional information, contact Texas Game Warden Recruiter Royce Wells via e-mail at Royce.wells@tpwd.state.tx.us or toll-free by phone at (877) 229-2733.

Milam County Game Warden Catches Dumpers

Milam County, Texas

The Temple newspaper recently reported that five people caught on hidden camera dumping everything from furniture to dead animals, auto parts, and colostomy bags over the past three years into a creek ravine east of Gause, Texas, have been charged with misdemeanors and are headed for Milam County court.

The paper said Precinct 3 Constable Herbie Vaughan and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Warden Mike Mitchell have been attempting to catch the perpetrators of the remote, rural dump ground for three years, before finally deciding to buy motion-activated wildlife surveillance equipment and stake out the site via hidden cameras. And that’s how you catch criminals now days!

Fannin County Game Warden Honored

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Warden Eddie Hines of Bonham was honored for his work with the National Wild Turkey Federation in a ceremony before the TPW Commission here March 27.

Hines was named the NWTF Enforcement Officer of the Year for Texas. Paul Ferrell, East Texas regional director for the NWTF, cited Hines’ ongoing community involvement, his work in youth education and his work with other law enforcement agencies in northeast Texas.

Hines also was instrumental in forming a Fannin County chapter of the NWTF and helped raise more than $16,000, some $3,000 of which will be used for Texas projects such as wild turkey habitat enhancement and restoration and education. Continue reading Fannin County Game Warden Honored

Texas Game Warden Drowns During Search

Texas Game Warden Teyran “Ty” Patterson, 28, died in the line of duty today during a search and rescue operation on the Paluxy River near here. Patterson apparently drowned after his boat capsized in floodwaters.

Patterson and his partner, Game Warden Danny Tuggle, were attempting to recover the body of a 17-year-old suspected drowning victim when the accident occurred. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement officials are investigating. No additional details about the incident are available. Continue reading Texas Game Warden Drowns During Search