GAME WARDEN DREAMS

By Sr. Agent Rick Markway

Everyone has dreams from time to time, and game wardens aren’t any different. Many times the dreams consist of “what could have been” when a case just does not come together for some reason, but occasionally we get to have a “dream come true” when a good complaint falls right into our laps. Such was the case on an afternoon in November 2003.

I was working in the far northeast corner of Rapides Parish when I received a complaint of possible over the limit of ducks being shot in Bayou Boeuf, about 45 minutes from my location. Thinking it was going to be one of those “gone when I got there cases” I proceeded in that direction. The complainant had my cell phone number and said he would keep me informed of what was progressing. When I got about five minutes from the area in question the complainant called and notified me that the men had left the bayou and where now at a house close by. He gave me the address and I quickly arrived at the scene.

I was able to approach the house from an angle that allowed me to not be seen and as I pulled up I noticed men unloading ducks from a boat in the back yard. I parked my unit and slowly walked into the back yard. Here I found four men with a long line of ducks, getting ready to take pictures of their “bountiful harvest!” I walked up and stood next to the men before they even realized I was there and said “ya’ll have had a good morning, haven’t you?” The look on their faces was priceless. The men admitted to taking the ducks that morning and when I finished counting the total was twenty six wood ducks and one gadwall. Not bad for one morning’s hunt. As I drove away after issuing citations, and taking a few pictures of my own, I thought to myself that this was definitely a “dream come true.” I wonder what kind of dreams those guys had that night?