Tyler, TX — Texas Game Warden Zach Temple has spent more than a decade volunteering for TPWD’s Search and Rescue Team. The extra assignment pays nothing extra.
Temple grew up hunting and fishing in East Texas, graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University, and left the Game Warden Academy in 2013. He first served in Presidio County, then transferred to Smith County in 2016.
His first major deployment came after Hurricane Harvey. Last year he was among the first crews at Camp Mystic and later searched along the Guadalupe River. In July 2026 he staged in Del Rio, then worked floods in Uvalde, Brackettville, Camp Wood, and Leakey.
He has also helped raise money through Gear Up for Game Wardens. An East Texas fundraiser he helped organize brought in more than $90,000, and another East Texas event is planned for October 2026.
“I think every Texas Game Warden wants to help,” Temple said. “It’s a good feeling to be able to help somebody.”
