Are you ready for hunting and fishing season?

Game Warden DeWayne Noble gives tips to KIlgore Lions on Thursday. Before you load up your guns, get those rods and reels out and fire up the boat, make sure everything is legal.

DeWayne Noble, Game Warden for Gregg and Upshur counties came to Lions on Thursday and talked about these very same problems. "The number one problem right now is people fishing without a license," said Noble.

Any person can fish without a license on a private pond and their is an exemption for seniors, but everyone else must have a fishing license said Noble. "There are no lakes for me in Gregg County, my main concern is the Sabine River," said Noble.

With the fish and game laws as strict as they are, even Noble admits if he walks into a hunting camp or on a boat, he will find a violation. "People don't sign their hunting license or fill it out the way they are suppose to," said Noble. "And everyone needs to carry a measuring stick in their boat, a 12 inch fish, means a 12 inch fish."

Noble said with summer approaching, more and more people will be on the river and lakes, rules like driving a boat while intoxicated might not mean much to some, but Noble said driving drunk in a boat can cause fatalities just like on the highway. "If you get a DWI in a boat it goes on your record just like in a car, you can lose your drivers license, fined or go to jail," said Noble.

Some don't know that if you operate a jet ski, the operator must be sixteen years or older said Noble. Boats must have the proper registration number, this includes all boats with a motor, even a trolling motor said Noble.

Another big issue is taking a deer without meeting the 13 inch spread said Noble. "It doesn't matter where the person is hunting, private or public land, the person must have a hunting license," said Noble "If you shoot a deer by mistake with less then a 13 inch spread, call the game warden, it's a lot less of a problem then, rather then caught later."

Noble said don't forget the life jackets, anyone in the boat under 13 years of age, must be wearing a life jacket.

There is a pamphlet put out by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on boating laws, people should read this if operating or owning a boat said Noble.

If anyone has any questions about boating or hunting, even a problem with poachers, contact your local game warder said Noble.