AUSTIN –The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is expanding public fishing and paddling opportunities on the Llano River with four public access sites opening just in time for winter trout stocking this month.
AUSTIN— The chilly start to the New Year did little to discourage the 3,938 visitors that hit the trail at a Texas State Park for a First Day Hike on Jan. 1. Texas had the fourth highest participation in the country with the largest number of parks hosting events.
AUSTIN – At the beginning of 2018, the Toyota ShareLunker program debuted a new year-long season for anglers to enter their 8 pound and larger bass for prizes, recognition, and to help the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department promote and enhance bass fishing in Texas. On Dec. 31, staff wrapped up the first year of the revamped program with a total of 380 anglers entering 486 “lunker” bass from 89 lakes across the state.
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has confirmed chronic wasting disease (CWD) in three white-tailed deer in Medina, Dallam, and Hartley Counties, and in three mule deer in Hudspeth, Hartley, and El Paso Counties. TPWD emphasizes that the discoveries underscore the importance for aggressive detection, sampling and herd management to control the spread of CWD.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
TYLER – Looking for a unique, family-friendly New Year’s resolution that you can accomplish right here in Tyler? Here’s an idea – take the family out to catch a colorful rainbow trout for fun or a tasty meal at the 13th Annual “Trails to Trout” fishing event at the Tyler Nature Center fishing pond.
AUSTIN— Hit the trails at a state park on New Year’s Day and participate in a First Day Hike. As part of the national initiative, Texas State Parks will be hosting a variety of programs for the whole family to enjoy.
LA PORTE — Operation Full Steam Ahead, the final phase of repairs, cleaning and safety upgrades to the third deck of the Battleship Texas is scheduled to conclude Saturday, January 5. To commemorate the grand re-opening, the Battleship Texas State Historic Site will host a ribbon cutting and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff will be leading special tours of the newly opened areas. In honor of the ship’s 104th “berth” year, the first 104 people will be granted free admission.
AUSTIN –Texas game wardens in Calhoun and Aransas counties last week led a multi-agency law enforcement surge operation targeting illegal commercial oyster harvest and possession along the coastal bend, netting more than 140 criminal cases. Many of the violations were for possession of undersized oysters that the state’s prized reef ecosystem requires for sustainability and long-term health.
AUSTIN— Rodney Franklin, a 27-year veteran of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, has been selected as the Texas State Parks Division Director.