Game Warden Encounters and Stories

I once got checked by a game warden while I was still in the middle of my morning coffee. Ever had an awkward encounter like that?,What’s the craziest encounter you’ve had with a game warden? I’m curious to hear some wild stories.,I had a game warden ask me about my fishing license while I had a fish flopping around in my hand. Talk about bad timing!,I’ve heard some horror stories about game wardens, but mine was super chill. What about you guys?,Anyone else had a game warden come up to them while they were trying to sneak a snooze in their truck? That was a wake-up call for sure.,I had a funny run-in with a warden who mistook my buddy’s beer for a soda. Ever had a similar misunderstanding?,Just wondering if any of you have ever had a game warden be really friendly and give you some good tips?,So I got pulled over while heading back from a fishing trip, and the guy ended up giving me some solid advice. Anyone have a cool story like that?,I once asked a game warden for advice on where to hunt, and he ended up leading me to a great spot. Anyone had that kind of luck?,Do game wardens ever pull you over just to chat? Experienced that once, and it was surprisingly enjoyable.,Had a game warden show up when my buddy was trying to take a selfie with his deer. Talk about a timing issue!,I once had a warden ask me to help him snag a wayward dog off the road. Ever been in a situation like that?,So there’s got to be some funny run-in stories with game wardens out there. Share yours!,I was fishing without a license one time and got lucky when the warden just gave me a warning. What’s your close call story?,Anyone else had an encounter where a game warden played good cop? I almost didn’t believe it was real.,What’s the most memorable game warden you’ve ever met? I’d love to hear about it.,Had a tense moment when a warden checked my bag of fish and found a hidden snack. Anyone had similar experiences?,I once saw a game warden chase down a guy who was poaching. Talk about a scene that sticks with you!,Do you think some game wardens have a reputation for being overly strict? Let’s hear your experiences.,Anyone ever had a warden who seemed more interested in chatting than checking? That’s always a nice surprise.,I almost got a ticket for not displaying my license properly until the warden saw I was a rookie. What’s your rookie mistake?,Got a warden who really knew his stuff and helped me learn more about local law. Anyone have an educational encounter?,Can anyone remember a time when a warden saved them from a bad situation? I have one that still blows my mind.,I had my truck searched by a warden once, and he ended up complimenting my camping gear! Anyone else had a pleasant surprise?,Ever had a game warden show up when you least expected it? I was in the middle of a camping disaster.,I saw a warden pull over another hunter for an expired tag — it was awkward but kind of funny how he handled it.,Curious if game wardens are generally friendly or strict in your area. What’s your local experience?,What’s your take on game wardens overall? I think they do a tough job, but sometimes the encounters can get tense.,Anyone have a favorite warden encounter that feels like it should be in a movie? I’ve got one that’s pretty cinematic.,Had a warden approach me while I was napping in my hammock. I think he just wanted to chat, but I was so startled!,Are we the only ones who think game wardens have a sense of humor? I’ve had some funny back-and-forths.,I once saw a game warden save a duck that got tangled in some fishing line. Any wildlife rescue stories?,I had a buddy get caught without a license and just get a warning. Ever had a lucky break like that?,Had a conversation with a warden about hunting ethics once that turned really interesting. Anyone else get into deep discussions?,Let’s hear about any embarrassing moments that turned into funny game warden stories. I’ve got a couple up my sleeve.,What’s the most common reason game wardens approach you? Mine seems to be my fishing tackle box!,Anyone ever get checked while they were on the way to or from a big fishing trip? I’ve had mixed experiences.,I’m really curious how many people find the warden experience pretty relaxed vs. strict. Share your stories!,Ever had your hunting spot suggested by a game warden? I had one share a great location once.,Has anyone here ever gotten advice from a game warden that really helped improve their game?,I was once mistaken for a poacher by a warden while I was just taking pictures for Instagram. A good laugh now, but it was tense then.,Have you had a game warden check your license and then just chat while you pack up? It’s rare but nice.,I had a warden ask me for some help lifting a big fish into his truck. Just goes to show they’re humans too!,What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen a game warden do in the field? I have a story that still gets people laughing.,I was once stopped by a warden who was in full camo — talk about blending in! Anyone seen that in action?,My craziest encounter was a warden walking through my campsite and giving me tips for cooking game. Anyone else had an unexpected guide?,Ever had a game warden offer to take a picture with you and your catch? That made for a great memory.,I once watched a warden who made a young hunter nervous, but he turned out to be a softy once they started talking. Any similar tales?

Decades ago (while I was a teenager) I went dove hunting down in the valley (South Texas). White-wing season is only two weeks, and all the game wardens in the state converge on the border Labor Day weekend. I was down there with my Dad and all of his hunting buddies and we were hunting this one field. There was a dirt road that converged from 3 fields, and 5 game wardens had staked out the intersection. They were there with binos, counting birds that we were knocking out of the sky.
Mid afternoon, it was very hot and we had all returned to our trucks to drink beer until dusk when the birds would start flying again. I had been hunting with my Model 12 w/28" bbl, but I had just recently bought a Rem 870 police special: parkerized 18" bbl, and extended mag tube. Back in '76, these were special ordered and not as plentiful as today. Anyway, I pulled it out and said "watch this". I loaded up the shotgun, it was plugged for 3 rds (the law) and I sauntered over near where the GWs were standing. As you can imagine, I was swamped with 5 GWs. Meanwhile, there are a dozen men standing around the trucks laughing like all-getout. Anyway, one GW asked for my shotgun, another asked for my license, another asked for my game pouch, another interrogated me. The plug I made for the tube was just long enough to allow 2 rds in with the third going almost all the way in. Boy, was that guy getting furious trying to break my plug.
Meanwhile all of these men watching are just laughing at the spectacle of a bunch of frustrated GWs. After finding nothing illegal on me, they let me go. I walked back to the trucks, unloaded the 870 and put it away.
In Texas, the Game Warden is the most powerful LEO in the state. I have to admire them as they have to approach men that have multiple loaded guns on them. But messin' with them was fun too.

Great story. Boy those Texans love their dove hunting. A lot of the motels near dove hot spots and sunflower crops are booked up by the end of January. Never saw anything like it.

White wing season allowed you 10 white-wing and 10 morning dove per day. So 20 bird per day, 3 days, and you're taking home at least 60 birds. Some of the guys did not want their limit, so we got to take home more. The daily limit dropped to 2, so the hunts died off.
The group my Dad hunted with rented the entire top floor of the same motel every year. At 65 MPH, those dove moved and they could also change directions on a dime. My favorite game!