Good experience with Game Warden
I heard doors being opened, and closed, in the vicinity of my truck. I was hurrying now, thinking, that maybe someone is breaking into it. I could see through the trees the edge of the road; I was approaching the highway and would be approximately 75 yards down the hill from my truck.
I hurried to the road and reluctantly unloaded my rifle first, and then I slung it over my shoulder again with the bolt open. It’s illegal to carry a loaded rifle on the highway. I picked up my pace without looking too conspicuous, but I was ready for an emergency. I still had my 1911 in a shoulder holster, which was my CCW. As I was approaching this F-350, its engine was running; I noticed two women were loading up a large dog in it. I thought to myself what is going on? I got within 30 yards of the truck, and a Game Warden walked into plain view from behind the truck. His vehicle and mine were hidden from my view as I approached. He was a US Game warden, which is one that has unlimited powers or near to it.
I breathed a sigh of relief.
I said” hi Officer”‘ and he was looking at my rifle, and said, “ that’s good, I see the action open and it’s unloaded.” I said,” I suppose you would like to see my licenses. “ He said, “ yes, I would.” I asked, “can I put my rifle in the truck first?” I also mentioned, ” I have a License for a concealed weapon, that I have in a shoulder holster.”
He said, “that’s OK, but leave your pistol in the truck with your rifle.” “ I replied,” yes sir.” I put the rifle in my window rack and turned slightly, so he could see me using two fingers on the handle, as I pulled the Colt 1911A out of my shoulder holster. Then I set it on the seat. I moved back and shut the door.
He told me, as he was driving up to my truck, a dog ran out of the woods. The other truck pulled up at the same time; they were the escaped dog’s owner.
After the Officer looked at my licenses; we talked and had a very interesting conversation. It was about being a true Hunter and an American. One can have a license to hunt, but not be a hunter, just as one can be born an American, and yet not be one, truly. He was originally from the North East and for the last 7 years had been a Border Patrol Officer near the Rio Grand. He said that, one time on the border, he and his partner spent 30 hours of surveillance of one trail. They counted 827 people crossing into this country. That is just one trail. He also related the story of a classic Mexican standoff one-day. The Mexican Federallies had a 50 Cal. and a 30 Cal. Machine guns. Our Border patrol agents only had small arms.
We talked about hunting in Pennsylvania and New York. I told him how careless the NJ Hunters were and the NYC hunters used to be when I lived up there. He told me, they haven’t changed.
He said that he had arrested 2 illegal aliens already that were in the Sam Houston National Forest.
Also, someone had been shot on Private property earlier in the day. They weren’t wearing red or orange I guess someone did a point shot with a 270 on him. So, the guy lost his leg between the knee and ankle. The Game warden had to go in the woods and help get him out and performed emergency first aid to stop the bleeding.
He was a man of Integrity, and good Character; just doing his job.
. I have found, through a few contacts with the state law enforcement agencies here in Texas, that you won't find a better group of pros anywhere. Don't poach in Texas. It may take a while, but you will pay. Now...enough of the lovefest for TPWD.
