Web Version

TPWD News Release — Sept. 7, 2004

TPWD Game Warden Field Notes

The following are excerpts from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.

Tragedy

• While working water safety on Lake Nocona recently, a Montague County Game Warden received a call concerning a boating accident on Lake Amon G. Carter. A bass boat headed back to the ramp from a morning of fishing fatally struck a 13-year-old boy being pulled on a tube behind another boat. There were two boys being pulled on two separate tubes. The other boy escaped uninjured. Wise and Jack county wardens assisted with the investigation. No charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing.

Justice Served

• Full moon patrols were conducted on Lake Fork during the night recently in order to check fishermen for compliance. Apprehensions included 12 for improper navigation lights, 18 for fishing violations, and 23 for other water safety violations.
• Recently, one of the three suspects involved in the shooting incident with Tyler County Game Warden Trey Shewmake on March 17 was convicted in District Court of Angelina County of attempted capital murder and two counts of aggravated assault on a Texas Peace Officer. The second suspect involved was convicted in District Court in Angelina County for Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer.
• Montgomery County Game Wardens organized a water-safety patrol operation on Lake Conroe. The two-day operation yielded more than 40 citations being issued.
• Recently, a Washington County Game Warden organized a water-safety patrol operation on Lake Somerville. "Team Sport Racing" had scheduled two days of Personal Watercraft racing on the lake. There were 33 citations issued over the two-day period.

Part of the Community

• Lubbock County Game Warden Quentin Terrel and Capt. Rick Gully received certificates of appreciation from Attorney General Greg Abbott for their participation in a task force to roundup individuals delinquent in child support.
• Game Wardens Robert Levens, Keith Gerth, Jeff Hill, Chris Wilson and Jerry Gordon presented a "hands-on" Boater Education class to 25 State 4-H students at Lake Buchanan Dam. The wardens instructed the students in water safety, boat operation, and Personal Watercraft operations and let the kids operate the vessels with the instructors.
• Game Wardens participated in the West Texas Outdoor Camp sponsored by Game Warden Robert Newman. Forty kids were taken to the Buffalo Trail Boy Scott Camp in the scenic Ft. Davis Mountains, near Balmorhea. The cost of the camp and transportation were provided by the Texas Game Warden Association and other generous sponsors. The camp is a one-week instructional camp with courses in shotgun, archery, fishing, boating, climbing, hiking, horseback riding, and much more. Emphasis is placed on safety and responsibility. It is a joint endeavor of the Texas Game Warden Association and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Gator-Mania!

• By now Brazoria County Game Wardens are probably tired of seeing alligators. As of Aug.1, game wardens there had have responded to and dealt with more than 300 documented nuisance alligator calls in Fiscal Year 2004.

From the Files of the Genius Violators

• Recently, Game Wardens arrested a subject for Boating While Intoxicated on Lake Lewisville. The subject refused to provide a breath specimen. When asked how much he had been drinking, he responded, "Probably too much." Case pending.
• A Grayson County Game Warden cited a Denison man for killing a timber rattlesnake after the man had his picture with the snake put in the local newspaper. The suspect was quoted in the paper as saying, "The only good snake is a dead snake." The timber rattlesnake is listed as a threatened species in Texas. Parks and Wildlife regulations prohibit the taking, possession, transportation, or sale of any animal species designated by state law as endangered or threatened without the issuance of a permit. Case pending.
• Denton County Game Wardens arrested a Valley View man for Boating While Intoxicated on Lake Ray Roberts. The subject submitted a breath sample of .113 Blood Alcohol Content. While being interviewed, the subject was asked if he had any pills or injections. He responded, "No, but I smoked some weed." Case pending.
• A Freestone County Game Warden responded to an ’Operation Game Thief’ hunting call in Navarro County. The warden found five students shooting skeet on a lighted range. To enhance their shooting ability, the men were drinking beer and smoking marijuana. One of the subjects attempted to ditch his stash of dope by throwing it out of his vehicle. The warden easily identified the owner of the marijuana since the subject’s name was written on the bag. Cases are pending.

###