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This "story" was in my "inbox" this morning. Maybe good for a grin ...

One morning a husband returns to his lake cabin after several hours of
fishing and decides to take a nap. Although not familiar with the lake,
his wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance,
anchors, and reads her book, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Along comes a game warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and
says, "Good morning Ma'am. What are you doing?"

"Reading a book," she replies, (thinking, "Isn't that obvious?")

"You're in a restricted fishing area," he informs her.

"I'm sorry officer, but I'm not fishing, I'm reading."

"Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at
any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up."

"If you do that, I'll have to charge you with sexual assault," says the
woman.

"But I haven't even touched you," says the game warden.

"That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could
start at any moment."

"Have a nice day ma'am," and he left

MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads; it is likely she can also
think.

Fair warning here if anyone here hunts or fishes in Brown county. There's an older one there who is infamous for being comparable to one of the droppings that certain edible fowl leave in the barnyard. The locals even sell a t-shirt that says something to the effect of "I got Leroyed at Brownwood."

He got one of my hunter ed. students a few years ago for "operating an unauthorized motor vechicle in the right of way". The hunter had driven his ATV less than 100 yards down a bar ditch - to get from a farm house to a gate leading into the pasture. (GW said he should have trailered it for the trip.)

My student said as the GW was writing out the little blue love letter, he said "Hey, I recognize your name. They were talking about you in town last night. You even have your own t-shirt!". Said the GW was not at all amused.

Overall, the TX GWs seem to be a great bunch. Especially the younger ones are often overworked and underpaid. The job requires an inordinate number of hours - often in miserable conditions. Unfortunately, it seems to often serve as a "training ground" for LEOs who eventually move on to a better-paying department in order to support a family ...

Even amongst Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, with age, the brain tends to get much bigger and the balls much smaller.

Have you been stopped for a traffic violation lately? Think at least the big city cops ain't got one runnin'? (Over and above the video on the dash.)

Methinks you may have confused with telephone conversations. Last I knew, in Tejas anyway, legit if at least ONE party knows conversation is being recorded.

OK, I've had time to "sleep on it".

Initially here, I'll mention that it's been at least a year since I purchased the Texas Public Hunting Package and reviewed the booklet of rules and regs. I do recall that on some units that even "possesion" of buckshot is prohibited. But, I certainly do not recall ever seeing anything regarding rifle magazines being an offense. So, you might want to double-check that booklet, the "Special Restrictions" page and in particular, the one for your unit. Also, FWIW, on some of the (Feds) Corps of Engineers Lands, the wording is such that I don't even carry a handgun there.

My suggestion would then be to go to Texas Parks and Wildlife's web site and send an e-mail to the attention of the Law Enforcement Division, simply stating that last bow season you were threatened by a Game Warden with "going to jail" for mere possession of an AR-15 magazine. Ask them (politely) to provide you with any written documentation in the Public Hunting Package booklet, the Outdoor Annual or anywhere else available to the public that "possession" of such magazines is an offense on public lands.

And don't settle for anything less than a written response from someone who gives you a name and title. I suspect there's about a 50/50 chance that a supervisor may get involved. And may request more details (such as who, why, when and where.)

FWIW, last fall one of my hunter ed. students from down that way told me about a really nice buck that was found dead on one popular unit during the first week of bow season. Cause of death: small caliber rifle round. Just a guess that may have still been a burr under the GW's saddle that day ...

Way back in 1978 (when probably I was about your age), my brother and I had an unsavory encounter with an overly-agressive GW (who conspired with an anti-hunting neighbor). Charged us with Criminal Trespass with a Firearm. (If convicted, I probably would not be doing what I am now.) We fought it in court. The facts were so clear that we did not even use a lawyer. 6-man jury in Floydada, Texas promtply determined "Not guilty". And at the end of the ordeal, the Judge's index finger was used for a little "come hither" chit-chat with the GW.

I recently had a CHL guy in the tow truck/repo business tell me about providing all of his drivers with discreet little on-bod recording devices - and he requires them to activate them for all "public contacts". I know that most of us try to pack only bare-bones "necessities" when we go into the woods, but it sounds like ya might just want to drop by a Radio Shack before you go back out there ... Among other things, it might help with maintaining your best behavior.

"Old-timer" hunter ed. instructor here. The vast majority of Texas Game Wardens seem to be quite legitimate and courteous, even when giving out the little blue "love letters". It sounds like you found one of the exceptions. And I know there at least a couple still out there.

The description of your treatment has me steaming - to the point I best sleep on it for at least a night or two before saying more.