Coast Watchers: Specialized Eyes and Ears to Assist Law Enforcement

As a result of Fair Labor and Standards Act requirements, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) supervisors became concerned about time lost from game wardens responding to reports of violations from sportsmen in which no violation existed. From this concern a cooperative program was initiated with the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (GCCA) in which a select group of their membership was trained in how to recognize and report violations to game wardens. This program has drastically reduced time lost from game wardens responding to erroneous reports of violations and has significantly increased the ratio of apprehensions and seizures of illegal equipment.