Can a game warden issue a citation without witnessing the offense?

A game warden has the authority to issue a citation based on sufficiency of evidence rather than requiring direct observation of the offense. This means that if a game warden has enough credible evidence—such as witness statements, photographs, or physical proof—they can consider that evidence valid enough to justify issuing a citation.

This flexibility is crucial for enforcing wildlife laws because some violations may not occur in the immediate presence of a warden, and immediate intervention is necessary to protect natural resources. For instance, if a warden learns about illegal hunting activities through reports from reliable sources, they can act on that information to issue a citation, ensuring compliance with regulations and the protection of wildlife.

The other options don’t reflect the proper legal authority granted to game wardens related to evidence and citations.