Game wardens probe hunting set-up found in Shenandoah forest

Shenandoah officials have dismantled a deer blind that was set up on a 3-acre wooded parcel of city-owned land. Shenandoah officials have dismantled a deer blind that was set up on a 3-acre wooded parcel of city-owned land. Photo: City Of Shenandoah Photo: City Of Shenandoah Image 1 of / 95 Caption Close Game wardens probe hunting set-up found in Shenandoah forest 1 / 95 Back to Gallery

City public works employees in Shenandoah sent to investigate illegal trash dumping and claims of rampant rodents in a 3-acre wooded parcel of land owned by the city were surprised to find an elaborate hunting setup, replete with a camouflaged blind tent, multiple cameras and a feeder to attract animals.

The incident was detailed to members of the Shenandoah City Council on March 28, with several council members expressing surprise that the elaborate hunting set-up was so close to neighborhoods, homes and yards where children play.

Shenandoah Assistant Police Chief Barry Gresham said the public works employees found the gear several weeks ago after residents of the area had complained to city officials about an abundance of rodents emerging from the one of the 3-acre heavily wooded plots of land owned by the city. The three plots, identified as Cedarwood, Rosewood and Holly Hill, are owned by the city but are rarely maintained and are still undeveloped. The specific piece of land the hunting set up was on was not disclosed.

"The public works people went out there and found the stuff," Gresham said. "It appears to be more than likely a bow and arrow blind, it was more like a tent. It's kind of strange."

Gresham said the site was cleaned out and the information about what was found was turned over to game wardens based in Montgomery County.

Game Warden Brannon Meinkowsky said officials found a hunting stand, multiple motion-sensor activated game cameras and a feeder with corn in it. He added that game wardens do not know if potential hunters were using firearms, bow and arrow or a crossbow, noting that no shell casings were found at the site.

Shenandoah Communications Manager Debbie Pilcher said Monday that the investigation has since been closed after no evidence was found of game being killed.

There are several local and county ordinances and regulations in regard to hunting in incorporated areas of the state, Meinkowsky said. Montgomery County has an ordinance prohibiting the discharge of a firearm inside an area less than 10 acres in size that is inside an incorporated city. Texas also has specific seasons for hunting various animals with deer season being held from October or November through January depending on whether a hunter uses a bow and arrow or a rifle or shotgun. A separate season for muzzle loaders is held after the other two seasons end.

Meinkowsky said the reason regulations on where a person can hunt in relation to occupied homes exist is because of the danger presented by discharging firearms and not knowing where a bullet may end up.

"It's a danger because you never know where someone might be," he said. "When you hunt in close proximity to residential areas it makes it that much more dangerous."

Possible charges for hunting in this area could include illegal discharge of a firearm within Shenandoah city limits, hunting out of season, hunting on private land without consent of the owner, illegally hunting deer at night, illegal discharge of a weapon in Montgomery County and other charges.

"This is actually a common occurrence in this county. You have a large population and limited areas to hunt," Meinkowsky added. "This same thing happened two months ago in the city of Conroe. We apprehended that suspect."