PHOTO BY DAVID LOWE La Grange native Shaun Bayless recently began serving in Lampasas County as a game warden after three years enforcing hunting and fishing laws in West Texas. PHOTO BY DAVID LOWE As he meets landowners, travels the roads of Lampasas County and patrols area waterways, game warden Shaun Bayless feels at home.

Bayless began his service in Lampasas County last month, taking the place of Jeff Hill, who now works as a game warden in Travis County.

Bayless began his career with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department three years ago, when he took a game warden position in Andrews and Gaines counties, northwest of Midland.

Although those West Texas counties — about 1,500 square miles apiece — cover more territory than Lampasas County, hunting seasons were not as busy there as in the Hill Country, Bayless said. The game warden said he is looking forward to new challenges as he enforces game laws.

“[There’s] definitely a lot more going on here,” he said. “That’s why I’m excited to be here. I’m not going anywhere for a while.”

Bayless and his wife, Angie -- both natives of LaGrange -- have a one-year-old daughter, Kori. The couple are glad to be within about a two-hour drive of their families in Fayette County, as they were nearly seven hours from their hometown when Bayless worked in Andrews.

Before graduating from TPWD’s Game Warden Academy, Bayless — a Sam Houston State University alumnus — worked for four years as a Lower Colorado River Authority security officer. Partly because of his father’s 30 years on duty as a Department of Public Safety officer, Bayless realized early that he wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement.

The game warden said he enjoys the flexibility of his job, as he can choose whether to patrol nearby rivers and lakes or to stay in Lampasas County and drive the roads, learning where various hunters’ properties are.

“That’s so if we get a call at 2 a.m. ... we know how to get there fast,” Bayless said.

He said he especially enjoys working with landowners during fall hunting seasons, and Bayless wants Lampasas County residents to know he and longtime game warden Jim Lindeman always are ready to respond to questions or concerns.

“We are always available 24-7 and 365 days a year,” Bayless said. “I’ll always try to call you back within 10 to 15 minutes, and if you don’t reach me, you can call Jim Lindeman.”

Cell phone numbers for game wardens in Region 7 — which includes Lampasas, Burnet, Mills, San Saba and Llano counties — are available at tpwd.state.tx.us/ warden/ find_warden/. Callers also may contact game wardens by phoning the Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office at 556-8255.

As warm weather draws increasing crowds to the Highland Lakes, Bayless and fellow game wardens, in cooperation with Burnet County law enforcement officials and other agencies, have spent much time on area lakes. Along with ensuring that anglers follow TPWD fishing rules, game wardens enforce state boatingwhile intoxicated laws and check watercraft users for required safety devices.

Holiday weekends, especially around Memorial Day and July 4, are busy times because of the large crowds at area waterways.

“These lakes get swamped, and not everybody always knows what safety things are required with the different water vehicles,” Bayless said.

Boats must be properly registered and must have a fire extinguisher, Bayless said. In addition, one life jacket per boat occupant must be readily accessible at all times. Children younger than 13 must wear a life jacket at all times when a boat — whether powered by motor or wind — is under way. All drivers or passengers must wear life jackets when on a jet ski or other personal watercraft, the game warden added.

“I cannot say that enough, and I cannot stress that enough,” he said of the importance of flotation aids.

In another matter, the game warden encouraged landowners who have feral hog problems to consider trapping or hunting with dogs. Because dogs in pursuit are likely to cross fence lines, Bayless advised landowners to ask neighbors for permission to hunt wild hogs on their properties.

“It’s always best to get permission from your surrounding landowners,” he said. “Usually that’s not a problem.”

With deer season in one of Texas’ busiest whitetail hunting regions only a few months away, Bayless is ready for what he knows is his calling: helping those who, like he does, love the outdoors.

“We deal with a lot of good folks, he said. “I like the fact that landowners call [game wardens] when they need us. I love serving the community and the people.”