showing game warden chl / current viral video discussion

[Warhorse545]

If I'm required to show my license to a police officer, I'll certainly show it to the most powerful law enforcement officer in the state.

BINGO

[carlson1]

Where do ya'll guys get the "most powerful Law Enforcement Officer in the State?"

[RJGold]

GWs have the broadest jusisdiction and the most open access to land (public and private). They are also charged with enforcement of more than just hunting and game laws.

I assume that is the root of the comment...

[Warhorse545]

Where do ya'll guys get the "most powerful Law Enforcement Officer in the State?"

They cross county lines all the time. Then can enter onto a Military base. They have STATE wide jurisdiction and enforce local and State laws and I believe to an extent Federal laws. A Houston cop in Austin does not have the same authority in both places. Game Warden does.

[carlson1]

Their jurisdiction is the same any State Police.

[Warhorse545]

Their jurisdiction is the same any State Police.

I will agree to disagree. :)

[carlson1]

Their jurisdiction is the same any State Police.

I will agree to disagree. :)

We will disagree then.

Their search and seizures are different, no probable cause for stopping boats, etc. . . and exemption from trespassing.

My brother just retired as a Major from Parks and Wildlife. There is a lot of myths that have been past through years. Just like "they can kick your door down without a warrant" is no where close to truth.

[srothstein]

is it required if carrying?

also on a side note as to a lot of viral videos, focusing on the ones where people like to exercise their rights and open carry and draw attention. one of the most popular arguments these individuals have when initially approached by police is "Im not doing anything wrong, its legal to open carry a long gun, you have no reason to beleive i am a criminal, therefore i will not provide you with my ID".

what about fishing, its not illegal to fish, game wardens will ask to see fishing license/tags or whatever. should they be denied access to your ID? when they have no reason to beleive your doing anything wrong...

just food for thought,

One of the problems I have with these videos is that the people are not truly up on the law. Many times they are correct, but not always. They also confuse the term detention with arrest and under investigation.

Specifically, the current state law in Texas on failure to identify requires you to identify (provide your name, date of birth, and home address) to a peace officer only when you are under arrest. You may refuse to answer at any other time (with the exceptions I will note shortly). You may not lie about these if you are the subject of an investigation or a witness, but you do not have to identify.

But there are other laws that also require you to identify. For example, we are all aware of the law requiring you to produce your driver's license when you are operating a vehicle on a public street and a peace officer asks for it. You do not have to be doing anything wrong under the law for this to be true. Yes, most of the time, it is when you are stopped for a violation but it does not have to be.

And, when you are fishing, the law requires you to have a fishing license and produce it when asked. So it is an entirely different situation than the guy who carries the long gun and makes a video in an attempt to make a political point.

[gigag04]

Their jurisdiction is the same any State Police.

I will agree to disagree. :)

Yup. Same as investigators for the AGs office, or TABC agents...

[dawgfishboy]

Is asking to see a fishing license the same as asking for identification? Each encounter I've had with gw's only involved fishing license and life preserver checks...they've never asked for an id.

[cb1000rider]

A game warden is a law enforcement officer

I'm under the impression - and correct me if I'm wrong - that game wardens can stop people who are "hunting" (carrying a firearm) at will w/o cause.
Same kind of thing as when I'm operating a boat. I can be stopped at any time w/o cause for a safety inspection.

[talltex]

A game warden is a law enforcement officer

I'm under the impression - and correct me if I'm wrong - that game wardens can stop people who are "hunting" (carrying a firearm) at will w/o cause.
Same kind of thing as when I'm operating a boat. I can be stopped at any time w/o cause for a safety inspection.

You are correct...if you are hunting, or fishing, or operating a boat on public waters they can stop you and ask to see your hunting/fishing license...the fact that you are hunting/fishing is cause to check license. In the case of operating a boat, they can stop you to do a safety inspection at any time...see if you have a life jacket for everyone, fire extinguisher, current boat registration and insurance, check navigation lights for operation, etc...incidental to the stop they will note presence of alcohol and observe your behavior and probably ask you how many you've had...they have a "fishing license" also...

[Shinesintx]

I open carry on my property all the time. It just seems weird that a game warden would want to see my CHL. Maybe during bow season?

[brainman]

One of the problems I have with these videos is that the people are not truly up on the law. Many times they are correct, but not always. They also confuse the term detention with arrest and under investigation.

Specifically, the current state law in Texas on failure to identify requires you to identify (provide your name, date of birth, and home address) to a peace officer only when you are under arrest. You may refuse to answer at any other time (with the exceptions I will note shortly). You may not lie about these if you are the subject of an investigation or a witness, but you do not have to identify.

But there are other laws that also require you to identify. For example, we are all aware of the law requiring you to produce your driver's license when you are operating a vehicle on a public street and a peace officer asks for it. You do not have to be doing anything wrong under the law for this to be true. Yes, most of the time, it is when you are stopped for a violation but it does not have to be.

And, when you are fishing, the law requires you to have a fishing license and produce it when asked. So it is an entirely different situation than the guy who carries the long gun and makes a video in an attempt to make a political point.

I'm quite sure that I couldn't tell the difference between detention and arrest in some circumstances. However, I'm pretty sure Texas law requires you to id yourself when you are detained, not just when you're arrested.

[cb1000rider]

I'm quite sure that I couldn't tell the difference between detention and arrest in some circumstances. However, I'm pretty sure Texas law requires you to id yourself when you are detained, not just when you're arrested.

The only way I know to differentiate is to ask: "Am I free to leave?"
TX law requires you to ID yourself if you're asked while detained.

I've never been stopped by a game warden for a tag check. Do they usually ask for ID in addition to the hunting license?