TPWD News Releases

Celebrate Texas State Parks’ 100th Birthday with Statewide S’mores Party May 13

AUSTIN — Get out the graham crackers, chocolate bars and marshmallows May 13, and head to one of 80 Texas State Parks hosting our official 100th birthday party.

Six State Parks on the Horizon for Texans

AUSTIN — Over the next 12–15 years, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will open six new state parks from Big Bend to the Hill Country and Texas coast. Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine highlights these future getaways in a special May commemorative issue, on newsstands now.

Texas State Parks Partner with Five Texas Minor League Teams to Create the Ultimate ‘Park’ Experience This Summer

AUSTIN — Take me out to the park! Texas State Parks and Minor League Baseball teams around the state are teaming up to bring the ultimate day/night doubleheader opportunity for visitors to spend a day at a state park and a night at the ballpark.

TPWD Provides Anglers with Best Practices for Catch and Release of Alligator Gar

AUSTIN — Alligator gar hold a special place in Texans’ hearts as the largest and longest-living freshwater species in the state. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) works to ensure healthy populations remain in Texas for future generations to enjoy. As waters warm and alligator gar fishing heats up this summer, TPWD is working with anglers, who play a key role in conservation efforts through proper catch-and-release practices.

First Photo Contest Winner Chosen; ‘Joys of Spring’ Is New Theme

AUSTIN — The Texas State Parks Centennial Photo Contest kicked off with a bang with more than 3,000 entries in the first round. The winning photo of winter’s “New Year, New Adventure” theme — a selfie of a happy human pileup (topped by an adorable dog) in a tent — was taken by Jayanthi Murahari. The winners of the four seasonal themes will be entered into the grand prize drawing at the end of the year. A public vote will determine the winner from the finalists.

Stay Aware, Stay Safe During Water Safety Month in May

AUSTIN — Summer’s scorching temperatures are just around the corner and, to most Texans, that means taking refuge in the water. May is National Water Safety Month, so the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reminds boaters to follow some simple, yet effective, safety precautions to prevent accidents and save lives.

Game Warden Field Notes, April 26, 2023

Managed Lands Deer Program Enrollment is Open for the 2023–24 Hunting Season

AUSTIN — Enrollment in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP) is now open for the 2023–24 hunting season. Open enrollment for the MLDP Conservation Option runs April 2 through June 15; the Harvest Option opens May 1 and ends Sept. 1.

Texas State-Fish Art Contest Announces 2023 Winners

ATHENS — The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) is pleased to announce the Texas division winners of Wildlife Forever’s Fish Art Contest for 2023.

Toyota ShareLunker Program Enjoys Another Exceptional Collection Season

ATHENS — The 2023 Toyota ShareLunker program delivered an exciting collection season for the third year in a row. Anglers contributed 18 Legacy Class ShareLunkers from four different lakes across the state, but the spotlight shined brightest on O.H. Ivie in west Texas. The waterbody produced a record-breaking 15 Legacy Class fish in 2023, following back-to-back years of 12 each during the 2021 and 2022 collection seasons.