JULY 2021 Blues Vol 37 No. 7

TEXAS GAME WARDENS
PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPT. & THE TEXAS GAME WARDENS
information a state trooper
learns, then add all the rules
and regulations for Parks
and Wildlife. Also, while
you are there, you will learn
how to back trailers, drive
boats, ride four wheelers,
and anything else you can
think of a game warden
might use. It’s an unforgettable
experience for sure.
After graduation, Provaznik
was assigned to the
Galveston district (a natural
place for someone with
her marine background)
and she’s been there ever
since. In early 2016, her boss
approached her about the
opportunity for her and her
work partner, Mack Chambers,
to participate in a reality
show for Animal Planet
that chronicles their adventures
as Game Wardens.
“Lone Star Law” premiered
on June 2, 2016, and Provaznik
has become one of the
most popular ‘stars’ of the
show.
But Provaznik will tell you
that fame, notoriety, whatever
you want to call it, may
sound cool, but there’s a
downside as well. Like people
following you down the
highway because they want
a selfie. Trying to arrest
someone while people are
asking for autographs. And
don’t think for a minute that
friendly Texas attitude and
pretty face is going to go
light on you if you’re breaking
the law. Provaznik is as
tough as her male counterparts,
and she doesn’t back
down from anyone.
Like all law enforcement
officers, Provaznik has her
share of war-stories. When
asked what’s the funniest
thing she’s experienced
since the academy, she said,
“One of the funniest things I
ever saw was during flounder
season. I was checking
bank fishermen and looking
into coolers and almost
everyone had a limit. I get
to one cooler and the gentleman
said “Aren’t they big!
I got my two” and as I look
at him, I saw the crotch of
his pants move. And I look
him straight in the face
and asked “Um, excuse me
sir, but do you have a fish
in your pants?” he stated
“Nope,” and the pants
flopped again. Now dying
laughing on the inside, I call
my partner over the radio
to see if he will search this
man’s pants for a fish. And
you know what he did, he
stuck a live flounder into his
boxers. It may had been my
first time seeing someone
put fish in their pants, but it
was definitely not my last.”
And your worst day?
“Some of my worst days
involve water fatalities, especially
when most of them
could have been prevented
by wearing a life jacket. It’s
my opinion that EVERYONE
should wear a life jacket
while underway, it’ll dramatically
improve your
chances of survival in an
accident.”
Finally, I asked her what
her advice to someone
thinking about becoming a
game warden.
“My advice to anyone
looking to be a game warden
is, first, make sure you
love the outdoors, and you
want to be a police officer.
Yes, we work in the outdoors
enforcing wildlife and
boating rules and regulations,
but we also are Texas
Peace officers, you never
know when you will stop an
armed bank robber (trust
me, I checked that box).
Second, make sure you are
willing to go anywhere in
the state of Texas and know
you may be stationed in a
one warden county. Volunteer
in your community,
choose your friends wisely,
and don’t be afraid of hard
work.
And last, but not least.
Train. Train like your life depends
on it because it just
might one day. Hit the gym,
swim, and run. Not only
will it make you a healthier
person, but it will also keep
you strong mentally and
physically for the demands
of this job.”
50 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 51