April 9, 2021

New Case of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Confirmed in Texas, First of 2021

AUSTIN — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has received test results confirming that Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease virus 2 (RHDV2) was diagnosed in a wild black-tailed jackrabbit in Cottle County. This marks the first confirmed cases of RHDV2 in a wild rabbit in Texas in 2021 and follows the discovery of the disease in domestic rabbits in Tom Green County, which was announced in a recent Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) news release. This is also the first discovery of the disease in a domestic rabbit of 2021.

Winter storm impact to Texas fish, wildlife topic of April 13 webinar

AUSTIN — The Texas Master Naturalist Program will present an “Impacts of Winter Storm Uri on Texas Fish and Wildlife” webinar on April 13 covering the storm’s impact on fish and wildlife, their recovery and fish and wildlife management efforts moving forward.

April 7, 2021

Texas Marks 5 Years of Enhanced Efforts Against Aquatic Invasive Species

AUSTIN – After five years of enhanced funding for efforts to protect lakes, rivers, water recreationists and industry from a host of non-native invasive species, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and its partners are reporting significant achievements. The TPWD is currently managing invasive aquatic plants on more than 50 water bodies around the state to enhance boater access along with actively monitoring for early detection of multiple species and implementing rapid response and eradication efforts where possible.

April 6, 2021

Managed Lands Deer Program Enrollment is Now Open for 2021-22 Season

AUSTIN – Enrollment in the Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP) is now open for the 2021-22 hunting season. Open enrollment for the MLDP Conservation Option runs from April 5 through June 15 this year while the Harvest Option opens May 1 and runs through Sept. 1. New this year, fees are being charged for each enrollment option. Enrollments and fee payments can all be made through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Land Management Assistance online system. Payments can be made by credit card only.

April 1, 2021

Convenient Family Fishing Education Opportunities Offered in Six Texas Metro Areas this Spring

ATHENS – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens has partnered with Fishing’s Future and the George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund to provide convenient fishing education opportunities for families throughout Texas.

April Marks 10th Anniversary of State Parks Month at Whole Earth Provision Co.

AUSTIN— Throughout the month of April, Whole Earth Provision Co. will hold a fund drive at all six store locations across the state in support of Texas State Parks. The Texas-based travel, adventure and nature store will give all funds gathered during the effort to help fund state parks’ day-to-day operational expenses, including enhanced visitor programs, park trail maps and facilities maintenance. This State Parks Month marks 10 years of partnership between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Whole Earth Provision Co.

March 31, 2021

Toyota ShareLunker Program Boasts 2nd Triple Lunker Day of 2021 Season, 5th Over 15 Pounds

ATHENS – Anglers delivered three more Legacy Lunkers last Tuesday followed by a fourth Sunday during the final weekend of the 2021 Toyota ShareLunker season. Tuesday marked the second triple Lunker day of the season, with O.H. Ivie producing the first two Lunkers of the day, extending an incredible run that has bumped the season total for that lake to 12.

Chronic Wasting Disease Discovered at Deer Breeding Facilities in Hunt and Uvalde Counties

AUSTIN – Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been discovered in deer breeding facilities in both Hunt and Uvalde counties. This marks the first positive detection of the disease in Hunt County.

TPW Commission Emergency Action Changes Spotted Seatrout Regulations in Laguna Madre Beginning April 1 Due to Feb. Fish Kill

AUSTIN-  Winter weather the week of Feb. 14, 2021 led to fish kill events along the entire Texas coast. Freezing events along the Texas Coast are rare, but extreme cold temperatures can be a natural cause of fish kills. If fish do not make it to refuge in deeper, more temperature stable water in cold weather, they may die when water temperatures reach a certain threshold. After the first fish kill was reported in the Lower Laguna Madre, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) biologists began the process of assessing fish kills across multiple bay systems over the course of two weeks.

March 26, 2021

TPW Commission Approves Saltwater Fishing Regulation Proposals for 2021-2022

AUSTIN – On March 25, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission discussed changes to saltwater fishing regulations for 2021-2022 that included allowing the recreational-only use of crab traps in areas of Aransas County and clarifying red snapper bag limits.