Texas Game wardens have jurisdiction state wide and are just as much a peace officer as any state trooper. Game Wardens I have known are the outdoor type hunters and fishermen for the most part. They do have expertise in the wilderness that most leo’s do not have. Now, lets say you have fugitives on the run with like skills. Who would be the best to apprehend them. I am by far no JBT boot licker but I do have respect so far for the Texas Game wardens.
“Texas Game wardens have jurisdiction state wide and are just as much a peace officer as any state trooper. “
Actually, here in Texas, game wardens have more authority than peace officers or DPS officers. Texas game wardens can come on private property, open gates, enter buildings, open your refrigerator, etc, without a warrant. Having lived in west Texas and camped and hunted over much of that country I can tell you that it gets mighty spooky out there when alone sometimes. So, I don’t have any problem with Texas peace officers, including game wardens, arming up. And, having a trained SWAT team as a ready reserve doesn’t bother me either. Texas law enforcement is made up of “good guys” for the most part and are on the “right” side.
They might also come across some folks growing pot in state forests, etc. chances are that the people growing and harvesting that pot are heavily armed.