Game Warden Guns

[Texas Star]

Which handgun does your state's game warden service issue? Are others allowed?

I watch the Animal Planet shows about wardens in Texas, Maine, and Washington. But they almost never show the drawn guns well enough to see what they are.

I THINK TX and WA use Glocks and Maine has SIG's, but can't guess which exact models.

Who here knows this stuff?

Thanks,

T-Star

 

[Muss Muggins]

In Missouri, Department of Conservation Agents carry Glock 22's, the same as the Highway Patrol, Water Patrol, and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, although the line between the latter three has recently blurred more than the line between MDC due to consolidation of mission . . .

 

[30-30remchester]

Our local game warden was also in the same volunteer fire department as I was. I got to work with him quite often. He carried a glock but l do not know if it was an issue gun. He seldom used it. The most used gun in his arsenal was a Marlin bolt action 22 rifle that was scoped. He used this to put down countless car wounded animals. I rode in the neighboring game wardens truck one day and he had a SKS of all things. He was working but also looking for a doe mule deer for his own freezer. The previous game warden was gone by the time I moved into the territory. His son said dad carried a Remington derringer in 41 short rf. I have to believe him as I bought several boxes of this ammo at the estate sale.

 

[leswad]

I know Texas wardens on the border carry full auto M4's.

 

[les.b]

Texas Star:

Well our "Game Wardens" would be offended by the term, they call themselves "Department of Natural Resources" Police. I think. Show how long I've been in the teaching end of the business, we have a locally stationed Officer who was one of my students when I started teaching (I was a full time officer myself back then). He completed his 4 year degree, attended law school, another 3 years, became an FBI agent, retired after a full career, and then became a DNR Officer, and has been at that job for several years, AND I'M STILL TEACHING!!! Geeze. Maybe I ought to retire.

But they carry Glocks. Specifically the Glock 21 SF .45 ACP.

Best Regards, Les

 

[Farmer17]

In Oklahoma they have Glocks and in their 4x4 pickup truck there's a double upright rack with a Remington 870 w/magazine extension and rifle sights, and an M-14.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Last time I was up close to a NM Warden, he was packing a Berreta.

 

[Wyo]

I believe the Wyoming guys are carrying Glock 23's these days. They used to have M14's as well but I think those were all returned to the government some time ago. Some years back I used to spend a week or so each year riding the Big Horn Mountains above Hyattville, WY on horseback with a warden friend who was doing his spring elk count. He carried a personally owned S&W 19 with a 2 1/2" barrel. Most of the other wardens carried 4" magnums of their own choosing. I think they've standardized their handguns in the last few years. Everyone I see now carries the Glock.

 

[medic15al]

Alabama wardens are issued Glock 35s Now.

Previously they were issued Beretta 96s that had been NP3 treated.

 

[model70hunter]

Texas Star:

Well our "Game Wardens" would be offended by the term, they call themselves "Department of Natural Resources" Police. I think. Show how long I've been in the teaching end of the business, we have a locally stationed Officer who was one of my students when I started teaching (I was a full time officer myself back then). He completed his 4 year degree, attended law school, another 3 years, became an FBI agent, retired after a full career, and then became a DNR Officer, and has been at that job for several years, AND I'M STILL TEACHING!!! Geeze. Maybe I ought to retire.
But they carry Glocks. Specifically the Glock 21 SF .45 ACP.

Best Regards, Les

Les my friend, you are teaching but are you learning?

If you like it, stay with it. A loved job is not work.

We all have to go someday, it'd be best to go happy.

 

[model70hunter]

In Missouri, Department of Conservation Agents carry Glock 22's, the same as the Highway Patrol, Water Patrol, and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, although the line between the latter three has recently blurred more than the line between MDC due to consolidation of mission . . .

When I was an LE in MO the Wardens carried M-66 4" just like the Patrol.

Now a lot of their duties overlap, Wardens are also trained like Patrolmen due to changes in the world. Shoot at the same range during training and it makes sense for logistics; purchasing, ammo, maintenance and repairs.

 

[Muss Muggins]

When I was an LE in MO the Wardens carried M-66 4" just like the Patrol.

You're dating youself

After the 66, everybody moved to the 686, and finally the Glock, although MDC may have transitioned quicker since they have their own dedicated tax stream . . .

 

[SteveA]

In Kansas I believe its the Glock 22 and I'm sure of the M-14.

 

[Steely85]

TWRA agents carry the Glock 31

 

[Kevin G]

I believe the Maine game wardens carry a Sig 226, 357 Sig caliber.

 

[Xfuzz]

Texas....Glock 22's I bought the local Possum Po-Po's
when they got new ones. They received Colt M4's at
the same time.

 

[Texas Star]

Thanks. I'm not too familiar with Glocks, so if you can mention calibers as well as models, that'd be nice.

It's interesting how many have M-14's or full auto M-4's.

Texas wardens operate in an environment of drug smuggling and may encounter the same criminals that the U S Border Patrol does. I think those M-4's must be a great comfort to them. Those cartels are dangerous!

 

[Texas Star]

I believe the Wyoming guys are carrying Glock 23's these days. They used to have M14's as well but I think those were all returned to the government some time ago. Some years back I used to spend a week or so each year riding the Big Horn Mountains above Hyattville, WY on horseback with a warden friend who was doing his spring elk count. He carried a personally owned S&W 19 with a 2 1/2" barrel. Most of the other wardens carried 4" magnums of their own choosing. I think they've standardized their handguns in the last few years. Everyone I see now carries the Glock.

This is consistent with what warden Joe Pickett has in C.J. Box's books, a series featuring that fictitious Wyoming warden.

Box told me that he confers with an actual warden.

 

[30-30remchester]

This is consistent with what warden Joe Pickett has in C.J. Box's books, a series featuring that fictitious Wyoming warden.

Box told me that he confers with an actual warden.

A great series of books. I would drown his mother-in-law.

 

[Texas Star]

A great series of books. I would drown his mother-in-law.

Yes, Joe has a terrible MIL. Don't know about Box's. I hope he didn't base Joe's MIL on his own.

Joe's wife and daughters are great people, though. I just wish that his elder daughter didn't have the hots for that mysterious falconer who's evading the FBI. He's the only guy in fiction I know of who carries a Freedom Arms .454.