What's illegal to possess in Texas? Wildlife laws explained after freezer discovery

An anonymous tip led Texas game wardens to a discovery inside an East Texas home: freezers containing a bobcat, two otters, owls, hawks, a crested caracara and other protected wildlife.

After receiving the Operation Game Thief tip, wardens interviewed the woman and, with her consent, searched the home, where they said they found numerous native wildlife specimens, including protected birds, stored in freezers. She faces multiple wildlife-related charges, while federally protected birds recovered during the search were turned over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for further investigation. The case also serves as a reminder that many native animals, along with certain feathers, hides and other animal parts, are protected by state or federal law.

Here's what Texans should know about possessing wildlife and reporting suspected violations.

Which wildlife is illegal to possess in Texas?

Texas law classifies wildlife into categories, each with its own rules for hunting, possession and sale.

Some of the main categories include:

• Game animals: Species such as deer, pronghorn and javelina that are regulated through hunting seasons, licenses and bag limits.
• Fur-bearing animals: Species including otters, raccoons, beavers and foxes. Texas regulates how these animals may be trapped, possessed and sold.
• Nongame animals: Species such as bobcats, armadillos, mountain lions, prairie dogs and freshwater turtles. Many nongame species may be taken under certain circumstances, but some have restrictions on possession, sale or transport.
• Threatened and endangered species: These animals receive additional protections under state and federal law and generally cannot be hunted or possessed without authorization.
• Protected birds: Nearly all native birds — including owls, hawks and crested caracaras — are protected by state and federal law. Their feathers, nests, eggs and other parts also generally cannot be possessed without authorization.

Because the rules vary widely by species, Texas Parks and Wildlife recommends checking state regulations before taking or keeping any wild animal.

Related: From fawns to fledglings: How to handle baby wildlife encounters in Texas

Can you legally keep feathers, skulls, antlers or other animal parts you find?

Again, it depends on the species.

One common misconception involves feathers. Even if you find one on the ground, you generally cannot keep feathers, nests, eggs or other parts from native birds because they are protected under state law and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The rules are different for mammals and other wildlife. Some parts from legally harvested animals, such as naturally shed deer antlers, may be kept, while other items — including parts from protected, threatened or endangered species — may require permits or may not be possessed at all. Bobcat pelts, for example, are regulated under Texas law.

If you're unsure whether an animal or animal part can legally be possessed, Texas Parks and Wildlife recommends checking the regulations or contacting the agency before taking it home.

How do you report suspected wildlife crimes?

Suspected hunting, fishing, boating or wildlife violations can be reported anonymously through Operation Game Thief.

Texans can text 847411 using the keyword TXOGT, submit a tip through the Texas OGT mobile app or online Tip411 form, or call 1-800-792-GAME (4263). Tips should include as much information as possible about who was involved, what happened, when and where it occurred and how the person reporting it knows.

Rewards of up to $1,000 may be available when a tip leads to a conviction.