TexasCHLforum.com

I am a fairly new (few months) CHL holder, and have a question for the more experienced members. Whitewing dove season opens next Saturday. During the two weekends of whitewing season, Texas Parks and Wildlife always saturate this area with extra game wardens, and having your license, birds, shotgun, etc. checked is not at all uncommon. In fact, it is rare that I have a day during these two weekends that I am not checked, and often will be checked multiple times in the same day.

My question is this, since a game warden is a certified peace officer, am I required to inform him, and show him my CHL when he asks for my hunting license? This is my first hunting season as a CHL holder, and the thought crossed my mind earlier today.

Thanks in advance for any help and guidance you can offer!

GC §411.205. REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY LICENSE. (a) If a license
holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license holder's person when
a magistrate or a peace officer demands that the license holder display
identification, the license holder shall display both the license holder's
driver's license or identification certificate issued by the department and
the license holder's handgun license.

I also have only had them ask for my hunting license but I also give them my CHL anyways and both times I was asked they said that " I don't need that". Yes they are licensed peace officers if they ask for your id I would give both DL and CHL. But they have never specifically asked for ID from me. They ask for my hunting license. So I guess you could say it is how they word it to you but I just show them anyways.

Also, almost every hunter I know except one has a CHL. They probably assume even if they don't ask.


Edit: The key word here is identification. A hunting license is a form of identification so I just give it all to them.

Don't believe there is a law that says what you must do. He/she is a good guy so I would inform them that I am armed and have a CHL and how would you like to proceed? Previous threads have usually suggested this when approached by police, law enforcement personnel, etc.. my 2 cents.
IANAL

Thanks for the quick replies. Maybe it is the area down here, but they usually want hunting license, and ID when they ask down here. I was thinking that I should just show it to them, and your answers confirmed my feeling.

Thanks again! It is great that you more experienced, and more knowing members are willing to help us newbies! I certainly appreciate it!

Yep, If they ask for your ID you need to present your CHL and inform for sure.

Edit: Whenever you are not sure of something just ask. There are many people on here with way more experience then I. Also, we have a few LEOs that can answer questions if someone gets stumped. This forum is a great resource!

Isn't open carry also allowed while hunting?

C-dub wrote:Isn't open carry also allowed while hunting?

The hunting exception in 46.15 does not require concealment nor does it proscribe it.

We hunt the Texas Public Lands for dove and always get checked by a game warden on opening weekend. If the game warden asks for hunting license, I ask if he wants ID also. If he says yes, I show TX DL and CHL, if he says no, I don't bother.

Here in West Texas with my dove season encounters with Game Wardens they typically want Hunting License, Hunters Ed cert (If you don't have Texas Hunters Ed and are not exempt), and ID. I always present my CHL with ID and typcially get a response ranging from "I don't want that." to "I don't really need that, your standing there holding a loaded shotgun that I can not help but see, so why would I care about a concealed pistol?" The best one I have ever heard was "CHL hmmmmm, if your pistol is loaded with shot shells it had better be plugged so it can only hold two in the magazine."

Yep, If they ask for your ID you need to present your CHL and inform for sure.

I agree with the part about presenting your CHL if asked for ID, but I am not sure what you mean by "and inform".

3dfxMM wrote:

Yep, If they ask for your ID you need to present your CHL and inform for sure.

I agree with the part about presenting your CHL if asked for ID, but I am not sure what you mean by "and inform".

Inform that you are carrying?

I thought he was talking about things that we are required to do.

3dfxMM wrote:I thought he was talking about things that we are required to do.

I believe that is correct. That was one of the questions in the OP.

birdman253 wrote:I am a fairly new (few months) CHL holder, and have a question for the more experienced members.My question is this, since a game warden is a certified peace officer, am I required to inform him, and show him my CHL when he asks for my hunting license?

Game Warden/Police/Fire Marshal. All LEO's who can ask for your ID. All the same in my book. Happy Hunting! My brother is on a lease in Pflugerville we get checked regularly. One of his buddies got busted for no Hunter's education. Nothing serious but it didnt keep us from taking pictures of the encounter for him to remember for later!