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Thank you steve. I think what I was thinking is captured in the following - without permission there is a difference between a game warden and a LEO - I would not want to press the issue, but there appears to be one:

Sec. 12.104. RIGHT TO SEARCH AND INSPECT. (a) A game warden or other peace officer commissioned by the department may search a game bag, vehicle, vessel, or other receptacle if the game warden or peace officer has a reasonable, articulable suspicion that the game bag, vehicle, vessel, or receptacle contains a wildlife resource that has been unlawfully killed or taken.

(b) A game warden or other peace officer commissioned by the department may inspect a wildlife resource or a part or product of a wildlife resource that is discovered during a search under Subsection (a) of this section.

(c) In this section "wildlife resource" means an animal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, or other aquatic life the taking or possession of which is regulated in any manner by this code.

anygunanywhere wrote:

tamc wrote:I do think there is a difference between a game warden and a LEO. The former does not need probable cause to enter, but the latter does. I cannot recall the statute and perhaps it is hearsay -
I was always taught the most underpaid, but powerful person was the game warden.

If the game warden suspects activities related to hunting, fishing, or othyer laws regarding wildlife are or have been going on it is probable cause for them to enter. Hearing gunshots is probable cause.

Anygunanywhere

Anygun - I agree on the game wardens and that was my point of clarification. They generally have more authority then a LEO. By example, a sheriff cannot enter your rural property (e.g. hunting season) just because they hear shots without having cause (they cannot enforce game laws).

I do think there is a difference between a game warden and a LEO. The former does not need probable cause to enter, but the latter does. I cannot recall the statute and perhaps it is hearsay -
I was always taught the most underpaid, but powerful person was the game warden.