May 31, 2017

Texas State-Fish Art Contest 2017 Winners Announced

ATHENS— The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, headquarters for the Texas Division of the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest, announced the top 12 state winners May 31.

May 19, 2017

National Safe Boating Week Reminds Texans to Stay Safe on the Water

AUSTIN — In 2016, there were more than 35 boating fatalities and hundreds of boat accidents and injuries on Texas waters. As part of National Safe Boating Week May 20-26, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department boater education and law enforcement staff are reminding Texans to be safe Memorial Day weekend and all summer long by following the law and taking basic safety precautions while on the water.

Dixon Water Foundation Receives 2017 Leopold Conservation Award® for Texas

AUSTIN – The state’s top land conservation award typically goes to a private ranch, but this year the honoree is a North Texas-based nonprofit which manages not one, but six different ranches, all of them devoted to demonstrating how good land management using cattle grazing can lead to more and better water for people and wildlife.

May 4, 2017

Several ‘Firsts’ Highlight the 2016-2017 Toyota ShareLunker Season

ATHENS – Over the 31-year history of the Toyota ShareLunker program, few fish have made as many headlines as the five largemouth bass entered this season. With two landmark genetic connections, two reservoirs producing their first 13-pound or larger ShareLunker bass, and a new water body record set at a lake not often considered to be a largemouth bass fishery, the anglers who caught and donated these fish made their mark on Texas fishing this year.

May 1, 2017

TPWD CO-OP Awards Nearly $1.5 Million in Grants to Texas Communities

AUSTIN – Thirty-nine organizations across the state have been awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP). This support helps connect Texas communities with their natural environment, provide hands-on environmental education and introduce underserved communities to outdoor recreation skills.

April 27, 2017

Lone Star Land Stewards: Bringing Back the Best of Texas

AUSTIN – They restore vital woods and waters, help bring back diverse wildlife ranging from rare species to popular game animals, share their knowledge with neighbors, and open their gates to youth groups and researchers. They are recipients of the 2017 Lone Star Land Steward Awards, bestowed each year by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the nonprofit Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

April 7, 2017

Game Warden Field Notes, April 7, 2017

The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.

13.97 Pound Largemouth Bass Sets Record at Belton Lake

ATHENS – On April 1, angler Kurt Luker of Cleveland set a water body record for a largemouth bass at Belton Lake with a 13.97 pound fish caught during the Texas Team Trail tournament.

March 23, 2017

Twelfth Annual Texas-National Archery Championship Draws Record 2,174 Children, 85 Schools to Belton

AUSTIN – More than 2,100 students from 85 schools across Texas are gathered at the Bell County Expo Center this week for the 12th annual Texas-National Archery in the Schools (NASP) Tournament and Scholarship Championship. Participants in the two-day event that starts today, range from grades 4-12 and are competing for college scholarships.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission Awards $15.86 Million in Local Park Grants to Texas Communities

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission today approved close to $16 million in competitive local park grants to help fund projects that will create and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities like nature trails, urban gardens, playgrounds with full accessibility, dog parks, splash pads and sports fields at 37 community parks across the state.