Nov. 1, 2016

Free Entrance to Texas State Parks Nov. 13 in Honor of Veteran’s Day

AUSTIN— In honor of both active and retired military, daily entrance fees at Texas State Parks will be waived for all visitors Sunday, Nov. 13.

Prospects Remain Excellent for Deer Season

AUSTIN – Record high temperatures in the upper 80s and 90s from Amarillo to Austin left ardent bowhunters sweltering in their deer stands throughout October; a trend weather models project could come to a welcome end heading into Saturday’s general rifle season opening day.

Oct. 31, 2016

Multiple Areas Closed to Oyster Harvest in Five Texas Bays

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is closing designated Approved and Conditionally Approved Areas in four Texas bays to all oyster harvest effective Tuesday, Nov. 1, due to low abundance of oysters in these areas. Copano Bay will close on Saturday, Nov. 5.

Oct. 28, 2016

Texas Quail Hunters Ready for the “Boom”

AUSTIN – Quail live on the edge. In lean years when weather and habitat conditions conspire against them, the birds hunker down and then when things are right their numbers explode. Experts refer to this in simple terms, “boom or bust.”

Big Time Texas Hunts Winners Announced

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced the 14 lucky winners of this year’s Big Time Texas Hunts selected at random from entries in the drawing.

Oct. 25, 2016

Biologists Battle Giant Salvinia Blocking Lake Access for Duck Hunters, Waterfowl

AUSTIN – At North Toledo Bend Wildlife Management Area, giant salvinia covers about half of the WMA’s 500-acre wetland impoundment, blocking boat access for duck hunters and keeping migrating waterfowl from food and habitat. The problem would be worse without steady work to fight back the invasive floating fern, efforts that got a boost this year by recording funding from the Texas Legislature.

Oct. 20, 2016

Late Whooping Crane Migration Expected in Texas

AUSTIN — The iconic, endangered whooping crane has embarked on its annual fall migration and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding Texans to expect these impressive birds to be moving through the state in the weeks ahead as they travel to wintering grounds along the Texas coast.

Rural Residents, Hunters in Northeast Texas Advised to Be Bear Aware

AUSTIN — Wildlife biologists are advising hunters, ranchers and rural residents in Northeast Texas of a handful of confirmed black bear sightings recently.

Game Warden Field Notes, Oct. 20, 2016

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

Oct. 14, 2016

Multiple Agencies Thwart Major Drug Shipment on South Padre Island

AUSTIN – Texas Game Wardens, along with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, helped intercept a drug shipment along a popular stretch of surf on South Padre Island early Thursday morning, seizing 730 pounds of marijuana and arresting six individuals on drug trafficking charges.