Roach v. State

300 S.W. 947, 108 Tex. Crim. 352, 1927 Tex. Crim. App. LEXIS 719

Opinion

MORROW, Presiding Judge.

Appellant was charged with an offense against the game law of the state, punishment fixed at a fine of ten dollars.

The prosecution is under Art. 1377, P. C., 1925, which declares in substance that one entering upon the “inclosed land of another without the consent of the owner * * * and therein hunt with firearms or therein catch or take any fish from any pond, lake, tank or stream, or in any other manner depredate upon the same, shall be fined,” etc. The information charges that appellant went upon the inclosed land of the owner and “did then and there ¿epredate upon said property and did then and there fish in the No. 3 mine tank.” The evidence shows that the appellant went upon the premises and fished with a pole and line, but it fails to show that he caught any fish. It is manifest that the only depredation relied upon is that of fishing. It is believed that under the statute fishing does not constitute an offense unless fish be caught or taken from the pond, lake or stream.

The judgment is reversed and the cause remanded.

Reversed and remanded.