May 25, 2018

Game Warden Field Notes, May 25, 2018

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

May 24, 2018

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Approves Hunting Regulation Changes for 2018-19

AUSTIN –Hunters will see several hunting regulation changes this fall, including an early opener for dove season in the South Zone, a mule deer season in Lynn County, experimental mule deer antler restrictions, an increase to the northern pintail bag limit, and a one week reduction to the spring Eastern turkey season for 2019 in 13 counties.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Awards $3.38 Million in Recreational Trail Grants to Texas Communities

AUSTIN— Today, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved $3.38 million dollars in grants to fund 19 motorized and non-motorized recreational trail-related projects across the state.

May 18, 2018

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

AUSTIN – As part of National Safe Boating Week May 19-25, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department boater education and law enforcement are reminding Texans to be safe this summer by following the law and taking basic safety precautions while on the water.

Laborcitas Creek Ranch Receives 2018 Leopold Conservation Award® for Texas

AUSTIN – At a time when the great grasslands of South Texas face threats such as land ownership fragmentation and non-native invasive grasses, Laborcitas Creek Ranch shines as a beacon, bucking the trends by adding acreage under conservation and diligently restoring native habitat to benefit diverse wildlife, from game animals to waterfowl and more.

May 17, 2018

2018 Texas State-Fish Art Contest Winners Announced

ATHENS— The 2018 Texas Division of the Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest first place winners include Juliann Dooley of Warren for grades 10-12, Madeleine Alexander of Keller for grades 7-9, Lauren Yue of Coppell for grades 4-6, and Sanjitha Yeruva of Irving for grades K-3.

May 16, 2018

Memorial Ceremony in Athens to Honor Fallen Texas Game Wardens

AUSTIN — Each day, over 550 Texas game wardens dedicate themselves to protecting the state’s natural resources. It’s a legacy they’ve carried on since game wardens first enforced resource conservation laws in the Lone Star State prior to the turn of the 20th century.

May 14, 2018

Collaborative Conservation Efforts Put Once Near Extinct Texas Cactus on Path to Recovery, Prompt Change in Federal Protected Status

AUSTIN — In 1979 with fewer than 200 plants known to exist, the Tobusch fishhook cactus was thought to be almost extinct. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of multiple partners including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Land Conservancy, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, The Nature Conservancy and central Texas landowners, today more than 3,300 cactuses are known to exist at 105 sites across the Edwards Plateau area of Texas. As a result, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is downlisting the cactus from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

May 10, 2018

Balmorhea State Park Pool Closed Until Further Notice

BALMORHEA— Due to structural failure, the Balmorhea State Park pool will be closed until further notice pending repairs. Damage to the concrete apron under the diving board, which is used to stabilize the walls of the pool from erosion, was found during the pool’s annual cleaning this week. Park officials are evaluating the extent of the damage and taking steps to repair the structure.

May 7, 2018

Gulf Shrimp Season Closing on Tuesday, May 15

AUSTIN- The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both Texas and federal waters will close 30 minutes after sunset on Tuesday, May 15 until a still-to-be determined date in July.