July 2, 2019

Texas Game Wardens Cracking Down on Boating Under the Influence This Fourth of July Weekend

AUSTIN – As boaters head out to Texas waterways for the Fourth of July holiday, Texas Game Wardens and thousands of law enforcement officers will be on heightened alert looking for those violating boating under the influence laws. These ramped up efforts to crack down on impaired boaters will continue July 5-7 during the annual Operation Dry Water weekend, a nationally coordinated heightened awareness and enforcement campaign focused on deterring boaters from boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

June 28, 2019

Battleship Texas Visiting Hours Reduced to Prepare for Repair; Transport

AUSTIN— Starting July 8, the Battleship Texas State Historic Site is reducing its visitation hours to allow staff full accessibility to the ship and its historic artifacts ahead of an upcoming trip to a drydock facility for major repairs to restore the ship’s leaking hull. The ship will be closed to the public Monday-Thursday and open weekends 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

June 25, 2019

Toyota ShareLunker Program Produces Tens of Thousands of Big Bass Offspring in 2019

ATHENS – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Toyota ShareLunker Program is having a banner year in its efforts to create bigger, better bass in Texas. After successfully spawning three of the five 13 pound or larger Legacy Class largemouth bass loaned to the selective-breeding program in 2019, the department’s hatchery staff produced more than 92,000 offspring to stock in Texas public lakes.

A Call for Boaters to Share the Texas Coast This Summer

AUSTIN- Summer is a great time to explore the Texas coast. Longer days, family vacations and more than 350 miles of coastline make its shallow bays and estuaries the perfect spot for anglers, boaters and kayakers. Yet, when people in different watercraft encounter each other in some spots, that can lead to user conflicts, and some boaters have damaged important ecological habitat. All this is prompting fishing guides and others to call for a new code of behavior.

June 20, 2019

Six Heat Hacks to Stay Safe This Summer at Texas State Parks

AUSTIN— Last year, Texas’ temperatures soared to record highs and staff at more than 40 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sites handled 134 incidents relating to heat-related illnesses in humans and pets. On the eve of the official start of summer, TPWD experts are sharing their top six heat hacks for staying safe in the outdoors during the blistering Texas heat.

June 14, 2019

Game Warden Field Notes, June 14, 2019

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

June 11, 2019

TPWD Encourages Anglers to ‘Go West’ for Prime Fishing Opportunities

AUSTIN – With long summer holidays on the horizon, many anglers are looking for unique fishing destinations to explore with friends and family. This year, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department fisheries staff are encouraging Texans to try heading west to target a variety of fish species and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

June 10, 2019

Endangered Aplomado Falcon Chicks Fledging at Mustang Island State Park

On June 1, researchers put leg bands on fuzzy Aplomado falcon chicks at Mustang Island State Park, where a pair of adult falcons occupy one of 67 artificial nest structures maintained along the Texas coast. A few days later, on June 5, scientists banded the 500th Aplomado falcon in Texas. It’s all part of ongoing monitoring to maintain the success of a wildlife restoration effort begun decades ago.

June 4, 2019

Battleship Texas Commemorates 75th anniversary of D-Day June 8

LA PORTE— Battleship Texas State Historic Site will commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day with a day of activities from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 8. Admission to the ceremony is free and open to the public and boarding will begin at 7:30 a.m. Regular ship admission will be charged beginning at 9:30 a.m.

May 31, 2019

Federal Red Snapper Season Opens June 1

AUSTIN- The private recreational angler red snapper season in federal water opens June 1 for a projected 97-days. Red snapper fishing is open year around in state waters. Bag and size limits will remain unchanged; 2 fish per person daily with a 16-inch minimum size limit in federal waters, and 4 fish per person daily with a 15-inch minimum in state waters.