Presenter: Mike Berger

Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Action
Amendments to the Public Lands Proclamation Establishment of an Open Season on Public Hunting Lands
Approval of Public Hunting Activities on State Parks
May 2006

I. Executive Summary: This item presents amendments to the Public Lands Proclamation for adoption, establishes an open season on public hunting lands for 2006-2007, and presents for approval the finalized list of state parks offering public hunting opportunity. The proposed amendments to the Public Lands Proclamation remove Aquilla Wildlife Management Area from the public hunting program and clarify the powers of the executive director.

II. Discussion: Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 12, Subchapter A, provides that a tract of land purchased primarily for a purpose authorized by the code may be used for any authorized function of the Parks and Wildlife Department if the Commission determines that multiple use is the best utilization of the land's resources. Additionally, Chapter 81, Subchapter E, provides the Commission with the authority to establish open seasons, and authorizes the Executive Director to determine bag limits, means and methods, and conditions for the taking of wildlife resources on wildlife management and public hunting lands, which includes units of the state park system designated as public hunting lands. The Regulations Committee at its April 2006 meeting authorized staff to publish proposed amendments to the Public Lands proclamation in the Texas Register for public comment. The proposed rules appeared in the April 21, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 3354). A summary of public comment on the proposed rules will be presented at the time of the hearing.

III. Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Parks and Wildlife Commission adopt the following motion:

"The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopts amendments to §§65.190 and 65.192, and new 65.204, concerning the Public Lands Proclamation, with changes as necessary to the proposed text as published in the April 21, 2006 issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 3354), and authorize the hunting activities designated in Exhibit B to be conducted on the listed units of the State Park System."

Attachments - 1

1. Exhibit A – Proposed Amendments to the Public Lands Proclamation
2. Exhibit B – Public Hunting Opportunities on State Parks

Commission Agenda Item No. 10
Exhibit B

Proposed State Park Hunts for 2006-2007