Texas Game Wardens

Texas Game Wardens, members of our Search and Rescue Team and pilots with our Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program are actively assisting in evacuating residents from vehicles, flooded neighborhoods, and homes in Northeast Texas.

As of 3pm, June 23:
▪️ 7 people rescued or evacuated
▪️ 14 calls for service
▪️Responses or staging operations in Cass, Bowie, Lamar, Marion and Red River counties

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.

▪️Monitor local forecasts and follow all safety directives from local officials.
▪️Do not drive around barricades, and avoid unnecessary travel in flooded areas.
▪️Never drive or walk through floodwater. It can conceal washed-out roads, debris and other hazards, and it is often deeper and moving faster than it appears.
‼️Turn around, don’t drown.

Nine large ice chests and buckets of illegally harvested oysters were recovered and returned to Christmas Bay after Brazoria County game wardens investigated suspected oyster violations on May 30.

Wardens observed six people harvesting oysters and transporting them through the marsh to a vehicle. The investigation resulted in multiple charges being filed for harvesting oysters during a closed season, harvesting oysters from a TPWD closed area, possession of undersized oysters and fishing without a valid license.

Oyster harvest closures are implemented for important conservation and public health reasons. They help protect oyster populations, allow reefs time to recover and reduce the risk associated with harvesting shellfish from waters that may contain elevated levels of naturally occurring bacteria, including Vibrio.

The illegal harvest of large quantities of oysters undermines those efforts. Healthy oyster reefs are vital to Texas' Gulf Coast, filtering and improving water quality, protecting against shoreline erosion, and providing habitat for countless fish and marine species.

Thanks to the callers who suspected dangerous illegal activity, Texas Game Wardens were able to return a significant amount of oysters to the bay, where they can continue serving their important role in the coastal ecosystem while also helping prevent oysters harvested from a closed area from being consumed.

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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)

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads who teach, encourage and lead by example.

Whether it’s casting a line, hunting safely or sharing a love of the outdoors, the lessons fathers pass down often last a lifetime.

Today, we celebrate the special bond between fathers or father figures and their children. To all the dads across Texas, and especially the Texas Game Warden fathers who protect our natural resources and public safety, thank you for your dedication both on duty and at home.

We’re especially proud of the Texas Game Warden fathers who have (or had) the unique privilege of serving alongside their children, as they passed down a tradition of service and are able to call their son or daughter their partner.

Extreme heat is expected across much of Texas this weekend, with heat index values climbing well above 100° and overnight temperatures offering little relief.

If you’re heading to the lake or spending time on the water, keep in mind that heat-related illness can happen quickly, especially with limited shade and the sun reflecting off the water. Even if the water feels cool, the heat is still dangerous.

Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea and muscle cramps.

Look out for your friends and family, especially children, older adults and pets.

If symptoms worsen or someone becomes confused, stops sweating or loses consciousness, call 911 immediately.

We are proud to announce the promotion of Randy Watts as the new captain for the Rusk District.

A native of East Texas, Captain Watts was born in Palestine and raised in Tennessee Colony. His passion for the outdoors began at an early age through hunting and fishing, with bird hunting topping the list.

After graduating from Cayuga High School in 2001, Captain Watts earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas A&M University in 2005. While in college, he completed two internships with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Port Arthur. He later spent four years working as a fish and wildlife technician with the Wildlife Division at the same WMA.

Captain Watts graduated from the 56th Texas Game Warden Cadet Class in July 2011 and has served the people of Trinity County throughout his entire game warden career.

In addition to his field duties, Captain Watts has been a member of the Texas Game Warden Search and Rescue (SAR) Team for 10 years and has served as a SAR instructor for the past eight years. He is also an instructor for standardized field sobriety testing, seated standardized field sobriety testing, fi****ms and ALERT.

“I am excited for the opportunity to serve the game wardens of the Rusk District and the people and places where I grew up,” said Watts.

Please join us in congratulating Captain Randy Watts on his promotion and wishing him success as he begins this new chapter on July 1!

Our hearts are with our brothers and sisters at the Texas Department of Public Safety following the loss of Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Sergio Romero.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and fellow officers as they mourn this tremendous loss.

We honor his service and sacrifice.

It is with great sadness that DPS announces the death of Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Sergio Romero.

Trooper Romero was attempting to conduct a traffic stop along US-287 near Childress, around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, when a truck-tractor semi-trailer pulled out in front of him, causing his patrol unit to collide with the vehicle. Trooper Romero died on scene.

Trooper Romero answered the call to serve each day with honor and remained steadfast in his commitment to protecting and serving Texans. The DPS family will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in service of this state.

Full release: bit.ly/4vZULmw

We are proud to announce the promotion of Travis Porter as the new captain for the Abilene District.

Captain Porter grew up in Kerrville where his fascination with Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) began. He attended several youth programs and worked at the Kerr Wildlife Management area on multiple occasions, helping with surveys, the deer breeding program and several youth events. He traveled with the Natural Resource Specialist technician, assisting with processor checks over his Christmas breaks during hunting season, starting at the ripe age of 12.

After earning his bachelor’s degree and starting his master’s in wildlife management at Tarleton State University in 2007, Captain Porter was selected for an intern position with the TPWD Law Enforcement Division, changing his career trajectory. He worked with wardens in Denton County on Lake Lewisville, which is where he fell in love with the job.

Captain Porter entered the Texas Game Warden Academy in 2012, and upon graduation from the 58th class, began his career in Tarrant County, where he stayed for almost 10 years. From there, he transferred to Wise County.

In 2023, he promoted to lieutenant at the Texas Game Warden Training Center (GWTC), serving as training lieutenant for three cadet classes. Captain Porter was the lead instructor for penal code, patrol tactics, standardized field sobriety testing, water safety patrol and force options concepts.

Even though Captain Porter enjoyed his time at the GWTC and the opportunity to educate new wardens, he is looking forward to rejoining the field as a supervisor, connecting with his district and helping them navigate their careers moving forward.

Please join us in congratulating Captain Travis Porter on his promotion and wishing him success as he begins this new chapter on July 1!

Texas Game Wardens are ready to respond with search and rescue personnel and resources in the event of severe weather along the Texas coast.

Resources include search and rescue boats, shallow-draft vessels, all-terrain vehicles, helicopters with hoist capabilities and unmanned aircraft systems.

Texas Game Wardens will monitor conditions around the clock and maintain a presence at the State Operations Center to coordinate response efforts and ensure resources are strategically positioned to protect the citizens and visitors of The Great State of Texas.

Texas Game Wardens worked through the night, responding to swift water and flooding rescue calls across multiple counties in Central to East-Central Texas. They rescued five people from vehicles that had been swept off roadways. It was a busy night for all first responders.

While we remain ready to respond to calls for service, we ask that the public do their part to remain safe.
▪️Monitor local forecasts and follow all safety directives from local officials.
▪️Do not drive around barricades, and avoid unnecessary travel in flooded areas.
▪️Never drive or walk through floodwater. It can conceal washed-out roads, debris and other hazards, and it is often deeper and moving faster than it appears.
‼️Turn around, don’t drown.

Check out the comments for a Burleson County rescue story ⬇️

The Texas Game Warden Search and Rescue Team and local partners have responded to numerous calls for service tonight involving people trapped by floodwaters in the Central Texas area.

Additional team members are strategically staged in areas across the state and remain ready to deploy in support of local communities and first responders as conditions change.

Monitor local forecasts and follow all safety directives from local officials. Do not drive around barricades, and avoid unnecessary travel in flooded areas. Never drive or walk through floodwater. It can conceal washed-out roads, debris and other hazards, and it is often deeper and moving faster than it appears.

Turn around, don’t drown. It’s not worth risking your life or anyone else's.