I have a good friend named Donnie, and we were going on a hunting trip about twenty years ago. I think we were hunting in Leakey on this particular trip, and on the drive out there, we stopped in a small town called Fredericksburg.

We were getting groceries, or beer, or whiskey, or something. I ended up turning on some narrow side street, between a couple of houses, and when we were pulling through, we noticed a man crouched down beside a small shrub. He was naked from the waist down, meaning all he had on was a shirt. He looked scared. Really scared.

It happened so quickly, and we were past him in a flash, and Donnie and I looked at each other with that "Did you see what I just saw?" expression on our faces.

We immediately started theorizing as to why this man was half naked behind a shrub in broad daylight. The only thing we could figure was that he'd been fooling around with somebody he shouldn't have been, and that person's husband/boyfriend/father came home.

Of course, we decided to have a little fun with it. We drove back around on the same path and came up beside the guy. We called out to him and started asking him questions, acting like we didn't notice his predicament at all.

We asked him directions to someplace or another, and he gave us a very brief answer, hoping to get rid of us as soon as possible. But we kept hassling him, asking more questions, and continuing to act as if we didn't realize he was naked.

I'm sure he was terrified that we'd draw attention to him, and that the husband, or whoever, would come charging out of the house.

We finally let him off the hook and drove away. The only thing I regret is not flat-out asking him what the hell he was doing. I'm sure it was an interesting story.

Don't be surprised if you see that in a book someday.

I mentioned this guy in my blog a while back...

Man gets probation for dead deer sex
Wed Mar 21, 6:15 PM ET
SUPERIOR, Wis. - A 20-year-old man received probation after he was convicted of having sexual contact with a dead deer. The sentence also requires Bryan James Hathaway to be evaluated as a sex offender and treated at the Institute for Psychological and Sexual Health in Duluth, Minn.

"The state believes that particular place is the best to provide treatment for the individual," Assistant District Attorney Jim Boughner said.

Hathaway's probation will be served at the same time as a nine-month jail sentence he received in February for violating his extended supervision.

He was found guilty in April 2005 of felony mistreatment of an animal after he killed a horse with the intention of having sex with it.

He was sentenced to 18 months in jail and two years of extended supervision on that charge as well as six years of probation for taking and driving a vehicle without the owner's consent.

Hathaway pleaded no contest earlier this month to misdemeanor mistreatment of an animal for the incident involving the deer. He was sentenced Tuesday in Douglas County Circuit Court.

"The type of behavior is disturbing," Judge Michael Lucci said. "It's disturbing to the public. It's disturbing to the court."

From the Texas Parks & Wildlife web site....

Funeral Services Set for Slain Texas Game Warden

AUSTIN, Texas – Funeral services for Texas Game Warden Justin Hurst have been set for Wednesday, March 21 at 11 a.m. at the First Methodist Church in El Campo. Hurst, 34, was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, March 17.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, March 20, at Triska Funeral Home, 612 Merchant Street, El Campo, Texas. There will be no graveside service; however, following the funeral service there will be a procession to the Legion Hall for a reception.

Hurst started his career with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a biologist in August 1995 specializing in waterfowl management along the mid-coast. He was part of the 48th Texas Game Warden Academy and graduated in August of 2002. He served about a year in Brazos County before moving to Wharton County in 2003.

Hurst is survived by his wife, Amanda, and son, Kyle Hunter, age 4 months, his parents, Allen and Pat Hurst of Bryan, a brother, Greg Hurst of Denver, Colorado, and in-laws, Larry and Jeanie Wilcox of Denton, Texas.

Memorial fund donations may be made to Operation Game Thief, c/o Justin Hurst Memorial Fund, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX, 78744. The Houston 100 Club is also accepting donations for the family at: 100 Club Survivor’s Fund 1233 West Loop South, Suite 1250, Houston, TX 77027-9107.

I just got back from my cabin in Blanco County to find several e-mails awaiting me about some horrible news. A Texas game warden was killed early Saturday morning in a shootout.

Below is the Austin American-Statesman's account from yesterday....

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Texas game warden murdered in Wharton County

Saturday, March 17, 2007, 02:58 PM
From the Texas Department of Public Safety:
(Wharton County, TX) Capital murder charges will be filed against a Wharton County man in connection with the murder of Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Justin Hurst. Hurst, age 34, was killed early Saturday morning after a pursuit that involved the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Wharton County Sheriff Deputies and Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers. A warrant will be served to James Freeman, age 26, of Wharton County later today. He is under guard at Oak Bend hospital in Rosenberg where he is being treated for gunshot wounds. The pursuit occurred after a Texas Game Warden spotted Freeman and suspected him of illegally hunting from the road. When he approached the vehicle, Freeman fled. Hurst was called in as back-up to the first warden and other law enforcement agencies responded as well. After a lengthy pursuit, Freeman’s car was stopped by DPS and gunfire was exchanged. Hurst was flown to Hermann Memorial hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Texas Rangers are heading up the investigation. Texas Ranger Captain Tony Leal, in Houston, said, “The Texas Rangers are investigating this case. Since it is an ongoing investigation, we will be releasing no more information at this time.” No additional information regarding the investigation is available at this time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This makes me sad, angry, and sick to my stomach.

I never met Justin Hurst, but I've met dozens of Texas wardens, and all of them are first-class people and ethical, hardworking officers.

When I learn more, I'll share it here.

I’ve only done a handful of interviews, but I enjoy them, I get to meet some cool people, and it helps spread the word about the books. Gets me out of the house on occasion, too, which is a bonus, because I tend to be a hermit (as in leaving the house about once a week).

The problem is, every time I read one of the interviews, I think I sound like an idiot. Or a yokel. Or a jerk. Take your pick.

Here’s an example: If you follow this link, you’ll find an interview on the PW website about Gun Shy...

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6424765.html

My last answer makes me cringe. I had just showed the interviewer a small Texas tattoo on my ankle (and yes, it’s fair to wonder why I would do such a thing), and she asked the following question:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why did you get that—were you drunk?

I wasn't drunk. I'm really proud to be a Texan. Texans outside Texas have this reputation of arrogance. You know that old phrase, "You can always tell a Texan, but you can't tell him much." You've heard that, right? I try to come across that way. I think we live in the best state of the nation, and I couldn't imagine living anywhere else.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did I really say that? Didn’t I mean to say I try NOT to come across that way? Guess I shouldn’t have been smoking crack that day.