Texas Game Wardens

06/13/2026

A Texas Game Warden Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program pilot assisted the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force and local law enforcement partners during an operation that led to the apprehension of a wanted fugitive in Victoria.

Game wardens regularly support local, state and federal partners with specialized resources, including drones, to help keep Texans and our communities safe.

🚔 Special Crimes Unit Assists in Multi-Agency Fugitive Apprehension

Recently, a member of the Beeville Police Department’s Special Crimes Unit assisted in a multi-agency operation led by the United States Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force that resulted in the apprehension of wanted fugitive Erik Ramos.

Ramos was wanted on several felony warrants and had been actively avoiding arrest. Utilizing resources and capabilities available through the task force and its partner agencies, investigators were able to locate him in Victoria, Texas.

The operation involved personnel from the Corpus Christi and Victoria divisions of the United States Marshals Service Task Force, a drone operator from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, K-9 teams from Victoria County Sheriff’s Office and Victoria Police Department, along with officers from participating agencies, including Beeville PD.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

We appreciate the assistance of all the agencies involved and the strong partnership we have with the United States Marshals Service Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force. Their specialized resources and regional reach provide valuable support in cases involving wanted offenders, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside them and their partner agencies.

We are proud to have our Special Crimes Unit represented in operations such as this and look forward to continuing these collaborative efforts in the future.

06/12/2026

From the weight room and the wrestling mat to the running course, Texas Game Wardens were well represented at the 2026 Texas Police Games in South Padre Island.

Wardens from across the state competed in powerlifting, karate, wrestling, 5K and 10K runs, the 1,500-meter run and flag football.

Competition builds fitness, resilience and teamwork, all qualities that help game wardens serve Texas every day. We’re proud of everyone who stepped up to compete and represent the badge.

Powerlifting Results
🥇Gold | 123 Under Division 2 – Lt. Chelsea Bailey
🥇Gold | 275 Under Division, Bench Press Only – AC Kevin Winters
🥇Gold | 242 Under Division, Bench Press Only – Lt. Col. Ben Baker

Track & Field Results
🥇1st Overall | 5K – Albert Herrera
🥇1st | 25-29 Division 5K – Albert Herrera
🥇1st | 35-39 Division 5K – Ruben Aguilar
🥇1st Overall | 10K – Albert Herrera
🥇1st | 25-29 Division 10K – Albert Herrera
🥇1st | 35-39 Division 10K – Ruben Aguilar
🥇1st | 35-39 Division 1,500-meter – Ruben Aguilar

Wrestling Results
🥈Silver | Women’s Open – Sarah Wennersten

Karate Results
🥉Bronze (Tied) | Sparring – Sarah Wennersten

06/10/2026

❓Did you know?

Texas Game Wardens enforce laws to protect threatened and endangered species at the state level.

One of those species is the black bear (which is considered a threatened species). It is unlawful to hunt, possess, or kill a black bear in Texas. The civil restitution value of black bear in Texas is $12,407.50.

Black bear facts in Texas:
▪️ Historically ranged across much of the state
▪️ Extirpated by the 1950s
▪️ Listed as endangered in Texas and Mexico in the mid-1980s
▪️ Recolonization began in late 1980s but remains slow
▪️ Female range: up to 40+ square miles
▪️ Male range: up to 300+ square miles

Additional black bear info: tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/resources/bear_safety/

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👉 You Spot It. We Stop It. 👈
Report violations, 24/7, to Operation Game Thief (OGT) via Tip411. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
💬 Text TXOGT and your tip to 847411
📲 Download the iOS or Android Texas OGT App
💻 tpwd.texas.gov/warden/connect/ogt
📞 1-800-792-GAME (4263)

06/09/2026

Yesterday, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife veterinarian provided hands-on training to Texas Game Wardens in the south central region to support our federal, state and local partners on the frontlines of the New World Screwworm fight.

Remember, early detection is key. If you see live animals that have maggots, please report it to the contacts listed at tpwd.texas.gov/screwworm

06/06/2026

Central Texas area game wardens and members of the Texas Game Warden Search and Rescue Team have been responding to flooding-related calls since early this morning.

Additional personnel are staged in areas of concern and ready to deploy as needed. We will continue working alongside our local and state partners throughout the event, but we need the public's help.

As conditions change, please follow local safety directives, don’t drive around barricades and avoid unnecessary travel in flooded areas. Never drive or walk through floodwater. It can hide washed-out roads, debris and other hazards, and is often deeper and moving faster than it appears.

Turn around, don’t drown.

As of noon, June 6:
• 9 people rescued or evacuated
• 11 calls for service
• Responses or staging operations in Bell, Falls, McLennan and Milam counties

06/04/2026

In Texas, businesses that rent vessels to the public including boats, party boats, personal watercraft and paddle craft, are called liveries and must meet specific safety and registration requirements. Texas Game Wardens enforce livery and boating safety regulations to help keep the public safe.

Liveries are required to:
🛟 Register as a livery
🛟 Carry liability insurance
🛟 Provide required safety equipment
🛟 Explain how to safely operate the vessel
🛟 Review local boating regulations

Renting from an illegal livery can put you at risk and cut your day on the water short. Officers can require a vessel with safety or other violations to return to shore until the violation is corrected.

Report illegal liveries:
💬 Text TXOGT and your tip to 847411
📲 Download the iOS or Android Texas OGT App
💻 tpwd.texas.gov/warden/connect/ogt
📞 1-800-792-GAME (4263)

06/04/2026

First confirmed U.S. case of New World Screwworm found today in a calf in Zavala County, about 100 miles southwest of San Antonio.

We are working with the Texas Animal Health Commission, U.S. Department of Agriculture and partners statewide to respond.

Early detection is critical and it is important to report suspected infestation in live animals

Get details on this case, how to report potential infestations, and what to watch for at screwworm.gov

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Hoy se confirmó el primer caso en los Estados Unidos del gusano barrenador del Nuevo Mundo, hallado en un becerro en el condado de Zavala, a unas 100 millas al suroeste de San Antonio.

Estamos trabajando en colaboración con la Comisión de Salud Animal de Texas, el USDA y socios en todo el estado para dar respuesta a la situación.

La detección temprana es fundamental, y es importante reportar cualquier sospecha de infestación en animales vivos.

Obtenga detalles sobre este caso, cómo reportar posibles infestaciones y qué señales buscar en screwworm.gov