Being from the great state of Texas, it was instilled in me from day one how important it was to follow the laws of the land, especially when it came to hunting and fishing. The last thing you wanted was a Texas Game Warden knocking on your door because you violated a wild game law. Today I'm going to reveal an incident that took place over 30 years ago that will illustrate that not all states have the same respect for the law as others.... even the guys enforcing the laws!
Growing up in my neck of the woods, there was one particular game warden that had a nasty reputation like that of Buford Pusser from the movie Walking Tall. To protect the innocent, we'll call him Billy Ray. As like Buford, he walked tall and carried a big stick. He was the game warden who took great pride enforcing the laws of East Texas great outdoors.
Billy Ray had the reputation for getting a little rough with those who decided to try and skirt the rules. There were many stories about him that were legendary with how he caught those who did not follow the laws of hunting or fishing. You might think you were going to get away with breaking a law, but Billy Ray would eventually track you down.
Upon my arrival to Louisiana back in 1979 as a tall skinny teenager looking to continue my athletic career/education at Northwestern State, I found out quickly that Louisiana laws were pretty loose when it came to hunting and fishing. During this time, Louisiana had what was known as an open range law which meant you did not need permission to hunt on another person's property as long as it was not posted.
Being from Texas, this was shocking to me that I could walk onto another man's property and hunt. Because where I'm from, this would never even cross your mind to set foot on another man's property without permission, unless you wanted to answer to Billy Ray later on.
But on one particular dove hunt I was invited on, I realized that some Louisiana game wardens were above the law. Now a good friend of mine owned a big track of land that had a great amount of dove waiting on someone to take a few shots. My buddy called the night before the hunt with the invite. I asked him if the field was baited because he had the reputation for also skirting the laws on dove hunting. He assured me that all was legal and that I had nothing to worry about.
So, the next day as I and another buddy drove up on the field and began to spread out, I once again asked about baiting. The property owner said, "Well there might be some scattered seed out in the middle, but he felt we were good to go." Now that I was nervous and anxious, my buddy decided to let us know that if we see a green truck with a red light on top come over the levy, run into the woods and hide.
Well sure as shoot'n, thirty minutes into the hunt the green truck with the red light rolled over the levy and onto the property. Heart racing, my friend and I hit the woods on a dead sprint hoping to evade the game warden. Then the game warden emerged from the truck and shouted out for our buddy who invited us on this outlaw hunt. He wanted to know who else was hunting with him that day. My buddy promptly cranked the bus and ran over us by replying that me and my friend had run into the woods.
The game warden called for us to come out and announced that it was okay to hunt. He also pulled out his shotgun and began to hunt with us....over a baited field!!! Only in Louisiana!
Now we all know that there will always be good cops and bad cops, but today I feel things are different in Louisiana. Personally knowing several Louisiana game wardens, I don't think this would happen today.....or at least I hope not!
Till next time, good luck, good hunting and the next time you're invited on a dove hunt, do what you're supposed to do....inspect the field yourself.
Steve Graf
Angler's Perspective
