Sept. 25, 2013

Big Time Texas Hunts Entry Deadline is Oct. 15

AUSTIN —Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reminds hunters the deadline to enter this year’s Big Time Texas Hunts is Oct. 15.

Sept. 24, 2013

Five States Submit 4th Draft of Lesser Prairie-Chicken Conservation Plan as Alternative to Federal Endangered Species Act Listing

Phoenix, AZ  – The 4th draft of a comprehensive conservation plan for the lesser prairie-chicken has been submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for endorsement, a plan offered by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) and state wildlife agencies in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma. This latest version comes after extensive review and comment by stakeholders across the bird’s five-state range. Once the USFWS endorses the plan, the states can begin implementing it, in hope of precluding the need to list the species under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Experimental Pronghorn Season Set to Open Saturday

AUSTIN — A new experimental hunting season in parts of the Texas Panhandle Sept. 28-Oct. 6 will allow landowners to control harvest of buck pronghorn on their properties. The experimental season will be in herd units 8, 17, and 25, which include portions of Dallam, Hartley, Sherman, Moore, Roberts, and Gray counties.

Sept. 20, 2013

Mothers Against Drunk Drivers Applauds Texas Game Wardens for BWI Enforcement

AUSTIN – Today in Austin, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) honored the local law enforcement community for its work in enforcement of Texas’ intoxication laws. Texas Game Warden Theron Oatman received the Commitment Hero Award and Game Warden Capt. Scott Jurk received the Diamond Hero Leadership Award for their efforts in enforcing Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) laws on Lake Travis and Lake Austin.

Sept. 19, 2013

Follow the Action on Twitter from the Texas Toyota Bass Classic Oct. 4-6

ATHENS—Anyone can have a front-row tweet at this year’s Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) October 4—6 thanks to a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department tweet-along.

Ray Roberts Lake State Park to Host 2nd Annual GreenFest on the Greenbelt

DENTON — Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Greenbelt Alliance and the City of Denton will host the 2nd Annual GreenFest on Greenbelt from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 28 at Ray Roberts Lake State Park – Greenbelt Park on FM 455.

Streamlined Texas Hunter Education Process Takes Effect

AUSTIN – Beginning Thursday, September 19, hunters who need to complete the state’s required hunter education will have expanded contemporary options designed to be more convenient, flexible and accessible.

Sept. 18, 2013

Toyota Texas Bass Classic Boosts Fishing, Conservation, Education

ATHENS—At first glance, the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) is just another fishing tournament.

Sept. 17, 2013

Game Warden Field Notes, Sept. 17, 2013

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

Public Meetings Planned for Local Park Grant Program

AUSTIN— The 83rd Legislature has restored approximately half of the Texas Recreation Parks Account (TRPA) and Large County & Municipality Recreation and Parks Account funding for the 2014-2015 biennium.