Wardens Aid Disabled Vet

A Polk County game warden was contacted by a woman on social media asking if he had any meat to donate for her family of six. The warden donated deer meat and after getting to know the family, learned the dad was a disabled veteran and hadn’t been hunting in over 10 years since before the military. The warden then reached out to local landowners and got a hunt donated for him and one of his children at Rocky Creek Ranch. The veteran took his eldest daughter of 13 on her first hunt and during the hunt, the warden found out his kids were from the same town the warden grew up in. Small world, great memories.

Recently, Polk County game wardens reached out to local landowners to find ways to give back to their community through the outdoors. The decision was made to organize a disabled veteran and youth hunt. A drawing was held on social media to select qualifying participants for the hunt, which in turn created great support from local businesses and community members. A father (retired Navy veteran) and son (first time hunter) were selected to participate in the hunt. The father and son joined Game Wardens on the Simon Peter Bend Ranch for an amazing hunt. Both hunters and the landowner were thrilled about the experience, and now plan to keep in contact with one another. Moye’s Processing donated full processing of the meat, and McQuilkin Taxidermy donated a full shoulder mount of the deer. A big thank you to Scott and Toni Cochran-Hughes for the Texas hospitality and amazing meals, as well as fully supporting our nation’s heroes.

A Cass County game warden was contacted by a landowner about a man he caught on his game camera carrying two rifles. The warden recognized the person and contacted the suspect’s brothers to confirm the location of the suspect and to help set up an interview. Wardens interviewed the suspect, who admitted to hunting from the roadway and shooting a pig. The pig ran onto a hunting lease and the suspect admitted to searching for the pig on the lease with both guns. Charges Pending.

Cass County game wardens received a call from a couple of duck hunters who were unable to get back to land from the Sulphur River. Wardens responded with a flat bottom boat, attempting to locate the hunters. Both hunters were located and transported to paramedics, who were waiting nearby. One hunter was hypothermic due to exposure to the cold water and the other was checked out and later released.

A Cherokee County game warden came upon a hunter on a tractor attempting to dump the carcass of a doe deer. The subject stated that he was not aware that doe days had closed on Nov. 29. Upon questioning, it was determined that the subject’s friend who was back at camp had also had some success that morning and had taken a buck. Upon arrival at the camp, the warden discovered an untagged buck that also failed to meet antler restrictions. Cases pending.  

A Real County game warden received a call from a group of people who were trying to fish on their own property. The caller stated while they were fishing, they were peppered by shot gun pellets and were seeing a lot of dove flying in the area. The warden arrived at the location and met a truck leaving the property, asking the driver if he had been hunting. The driver said he had been dove hunting and killed seven birds. The warden informed the hunter that dove season in the Central Zone ended on the 14th. The hunter was cited for Hunt Dove in Closed Season and his birds were seized and donated. Case pending.