Catching up with this fan favorite from the television show Lone Star Law
by Melissa Fox
If you’re curious where former Texas Game Warden Mike Boone may be these days, you aren’t the only one. Since 2016, Boone starred on the television show Lone Star Law which airs on Animal Planet.
The reality television series is set in Texas and follows an elite patrol force of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department known as the Texas Game Wardens. Game wardens protect more than a quarter-million square miles of deserts, lakes, piney woods, bayous, plains, and coast in the Lone Star State. The show is an eye-opening look into the day-to-day duties of the game wardens of Texas and showcases the wide-ranging adventures they often find themselves in.
Fans noticed Mike Boone’s absence from the Lone Star Law series in 2020. His loyal followers wanted to keep up with their favorite game warden. So much so, there are about 7,000 fans who subscribe to the “Where’s Mike Boone?” Facebook page. On any given day, fans will post pictures of their sightings or share their favorite memories from the show or recall a memory they have when they had an encounter with him. Many fans share their speculations about what he is up to since leaving the show. It’s a fun fan page and keeps his followers entertained.
We managed to catch up with Mr. Boone and learned he retired from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department after 30 years of service. He is still very much involved in protecting the Lone Star State’s citizens and their resources, just in a different role. Boone is now a Special Ranger for the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA). TSCRA Special Rangers are commissioned peace officers who investigate agriculture related crime cases and recover stolen cattle and assets for landowners and ranchers throughout the state. They are commissioned through the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation – for those who are stationed in districts with bordering counties of Texas and Oklahoma.
Boone is responsible for District 23, Region 5 in the southeastern most region of Texas, bordering Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. That district includes the counties of Chambers, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Jacinto, and Tyler. There are 30 special rangers stationed throughout multiple-county districts in the state. As the largest and oldest livestock association in Texas, the TSCRA represents more than 17,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families, and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 76 million acres of range and pastureland in Texas and Oklahoma. To say Mike Boone is staying busy would be an understatement.
“I haven’t slowed down, even though I retired,” Boone said in his same warm and friendly manner you saw on the show. Boone is originally from Magnolia, Texas and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University in 1991 and completed the Texas Game Warden Academy the following year. He served 30 years with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department stationed in Hardin County and retired in August of 2021.
From a very young age, Boone spent many hours outdoors hunting and fishing which led to his passion to become a Texas Game Warden. He knew he didn’t want to be stuck in a typical office job from 9 to 5 each day. His childhood desires have held true as he still spends every day hitting the pavement and dirt roads across Texas. He took the position as a TSCRA Special Ranger in February of 2022 and is still on the go.
“The most satisfying thing about my career has been the relationships I have developed within the communities of East Texas—landowners, business owners, the sportsmen, politicians, and even with some of my past outlaws,” chuckles Boone. “Other than that, the pleasure of working outdoors and serving the people of Texas is something I’m glad I still get to do with the TSCRA.”
When working as a game warden, audiences followed Boone on his daily (and sometimes unpredictable) duties as he tracked down armed robbery suspects, freed a tangled gator, investigated reckless gunfire, or rescued a bald eagle. His easy going demeanor quickly earned Boone a loyal following of fans. Ronnie Taylor of Beaumont, Texas said, “I grew up deer hunting in the Big Thicket of East Texas. Warden Boone came to our camp many times over the years and was always very professional and a true gentleman. He had the reputation of being a very fair officer, but we knew he could get “western” if he needed to. He always was respectful to us and, in turn, he earned our respect. Firm but fair is how I’d describe Mr. Boone. I’ve really enjoyed Lone Star Law and Mike Boone is my family’s favorite.”
Now, Boone’s daily duties include assisting in the investigation of livestock thefts and other ranch-related property losses, inspecting cattle shipments, supervising market inspectors, and remaining on the forefront of beating back the ever-present threat of livestock theft.
As the TSCRA has grown, so have the challenges to cattlemen beyond cattle theft. The association is recognized as a spokesman for the Texas cattle industry both statewide and nationally on legislation, animal care, regulatory matters, and other things that might affect the best interest of cattlemen. “I’m proud to be a part of such a highly regarded group, protecting the people and resources of our great state,” Boone stated.
Boone recalled with fondness the opportunities he has had during his career to introduce and educate children about the outdoors, hunting, and respecting the wildlife and environment in which that occurs. Even as a TSCRA Special Ranger he is still educating the public and defending both citizens and animals from harm as he has always done.
So the answer to the question, “Where’s Mike Boone?” is easy. Mike Boone is right where he has always been, doing the same things he has always done. He just wears a little different uniform now. Maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll run into him one day.
