Texas authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying who illegally shot three alligators – killing two and injuring one at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge on Lake Worth.
In an Aug. 7 social media post, Texas Operation Game Thief, the Texas Parks and Wil
dlife Department's (TPWD) anti-poaching program, said that it was offering up to a $1,000 reward to help the Texas Game Wardens "for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible."The reward comes after at least three alligators had been shot at the nature center from May to July. One of the alligators survived, while the other two were killed.
TPWD said the carcasses were abandoned and at least one of the alligators was shot with a crossbow bolt.
Anyone with information can call the Texas Game Wardens at 800-792-4263, text TXOGT and the tip to 847411 or report online at tpwd.texas.gov/warden/connect/ogt.
Can you hunt alligators in Texas?
Yes. Texas considers alligators a protected game animal, and state law allows them to be hunted during designated seasons under specific circumstances. But those rules don't mean alligators can be hunted anywhere in the state.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department divides the state into 22 "core" counties — concentrated in East Texas and along the Gulf Coast — and all other "non-core" counties. Alligator hunting regulations vary depending on the county and property.
In general, alligators may only be taken on private property under the state's hunting regulations. In non-core counties, the general season runs from April 1 through June 30, with a limit of one alligator per person per license year. Core counties have different rules, including requirements for CITES tags.
Regardless, the city of Fort Worth prohibits hunting any animal at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge because is a protected natural area. So the fact that Texas allows regulated alligator hunting elsewhere does not make shooting an alligator at the refuge legal.
When is alligator hunting season in Texas?
Open season in non-core counties runs from April 1 through June 30.
Open season in the 22 core counties — Angelina, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Refugio, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler and Victoria — runs from Sept. 10 through Sept. 30.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas Game wardens offer $1,000 reward in Fort Worth alligator shootings
