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For violations currently in progress, call  800 792-GAME (4263) - 24/7

For violations currently in progress, call  800 792-GAME (4263) - 24/7

For violations currently in progress, call  800 792-GAME (4263) - 24/7

Coyote standing alert in a grassy area surrounded by dry bushes and vegetation, blending into the natural environment.

About Operation Game Thief

Our History

OGT_Tx Capitol_7095 (1).jpg

Operation Game Thief (OGT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working on improving the quality of life in Texas by actively engaging individuals and communities to protect our natural resources. The organization helps prevent theft and destruction of wildlife and natural habitats through outreach, education, and a confidential reporting system.

OGT was created in 1981 through a law passed by the 67th Legislature to combat poaching. This was largely thanks to efforts by former Speaker of the House, Gib Lewis, who has been on the OGT Board since its creation. This successful program operates under the law enforcement division of Texas Parks and Wildlife. OGT is Texas’ wildlife crime-stoppers program and offers rewards of up to $1,000 for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of wildlife criminals.

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In the last 10 years, OGT has given over $300,000 in grants to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to buy specialized equipment for game wardens. The program relies on public support, which includes memberships, merchandise sales, donations, sponsorships, and gifts.

Game Warden Memorial

Each day, over 550 Texas game wardens dedicate themselves to protecting the state's natural resources. It's a legacy they've carried on since game wardens first enforced resource conservation laws in the Lone Star State prior to the turn of the century (1895). Texas Game Wardens also help to keep their communities safe, patrol the state's vast waterways, and respond to natural disasters. For 19 wardens, that dedication cost them their lives.

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A memorial honoring Texas Game Wardens who lost their lives in the line of duty has been erected at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Texas. The Memorial Plaza features a bronze life-sized Game Warden statue accompanied by the Texas and American flags.

Following is a list of Texas Game Wardens who died in the line of duty, and the circumstances surrounding their deaths:

  • Joe Williams and  Harry Raymond

  • Dawson Richard Murchison

  • R.M. Wynne

  • Gus Engeling

  • Claude Keller

  • J.D. Murphree

  • Joe Evans

  • Lloyd Gustin

  • Ronnie Germany

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Learn More About Their Stories

  • James Daughtrey

  • Sergeant James Birmingham

  • Barry Decker and Bruce Hill

  • Mike Pauling

  • Wes Wagstaff

  • Justin Hurst

  • Teyran (Ty) Patterson

  • George Harold Whatley, Jr.

  • Chris Wilson

Game Warden Memorial Statue

Our Impact

Students and adults explore the OGT trailer featuring preserved wildlife specimens and educational displays.

OGT was initially a crime stoppers program focused on offering rewards for tips that led to the conviction of major game law violators. Since then, OGT has used public service ads to raise awareness about poaching and worked to increase penalties for wildlife crimes. These efforts have significantly reduced poaching in Texas.

Three Texas Game Wardens standing in uniform and smiling with a patrol vehicle in the background at sunset

OGT operates independently but works closely with the Law Enforcement Division of TPWD. In recent years, OGT’s statutory authority was amended to allow it to provide $25,000 in immediate financial aid to the families of game wardens and park police officers killed in the line of duty. OGT also gives grants to the TPWD Law Enforcement Division for equipment that isn’t covered by state budgets. This includes night vision goggles, GPS mapping tools, surveillance gear, and body armor. It also includes underwater sonar technology to help quickly find drowning victims.

Clay Stopper Events

A man aiming a shotgun, wearing ear protection and sunglasses, with greenery visible in the background.

As a nonprofit, OGT receives no state tax dollars and depends entirely on public donations to fulfill its mission. A major source of funding is the annual OGT Clay Stoppers sporting clay shoots. These are held in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

View Upcoming Events

Wall of Shame Trailer

A group of children and one adult gathered around an educational exhibit featuring taxidermy animals.

One of the most visible ways OGT spreads the "Stop Poaching" message is through its Wall of Shame trailer and smaller regional trailers. These trailers are showcased at outdoor fairs, schools, and various events to highlight why OGT's mission is important.

View More Information About the Trailer
A vibrant bluebonnet in focus, with Texas trees and a distant rocky hill softly blurred in the background.

Contact Us

Report Violations
General Inquiries
Our Address

4200 Smith School Road Austin, Texas 78744

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