Sept. 14, 2017

Game Warden Field Notes, Sept. 14, 2017

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

Sept. 8, 2017

Storm Aftermath Puts Damper on Saturday’s Early Teal Season Opener

AUSTIN – The 16-day early teal hunting season opens statewide Saturday with guarded optimism tempered by the reality that many waterfowlers along the Texas coast are focusing on storm recovery.

Sept. 6, 2017

It’s Time for Texas’ Second Annual Pollinator BioBlitz

AUSTIN — In support of Texas’ second statewide Pollinator BioBlitz, organizations and sites around the state will soon be hosting a variety of events to get people outdoors to observe pollinators of all types in yards, natural areas, gardens, parks and community centers. Of course, you don’t have to visit a particular site to participate, your very own yard or green space will do.

TPWD Cancels Public Hunts along Coast Due to Storm Impacts

AUSTIN — Due to impacts from Hurricane Harvey at wildlife management areas (WMA) and state parks along the coast, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is canceling or postponing some scheduled upcoming public hunting activities.

Sept. 5, 2017

Displaced Wildlife Show Up as Harvey Flood Waters Recede

AUSTIN – As flood waters from Harvey recede and those affected begin to sort through the damage left in the wake of the storm, biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department say encounters with various wildlife are to be expected.

Aug. 31, 2017

Game Wardens Stress Boating Safety During Labor Day Weekend

AUSTIN – With Texas game wardens continuing to assist the recovery efforts in Harvey affected areas, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is urging extra vigilance from boaters and recreational water users in other areas of the state heading into Labor Day weekend.

New 2017-2018 Fishing Regulations

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted a suite of changes for the 2017-2018 saltwater and freshwater fishing season this year. All new regulations take effect Friday, Sept. 1, and can be found in the Outdoor Annual.

CWD Sample Collector Trainings in the Panhandle and Trans-Pecos

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service have partnered to coordinate chronic wasting disease postmortem sample collector trainings in the Panhandle and Trans-Pecos.  As part of the state’s increased CWD surveillance, we are providing the opportunity for landowners/managers, taxidermists, and veterinarians to be trained to collect tissues for disease testing under TAHC’s Certified CWD Postmortem Sample Collector training program.

Aug. 29, 2017

TPW Commission Adopts New Rules for Statewide Oyster Fishery

AUSTIN- The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted new regulations for the statewide oyster fishery last week that reduce commercial possession limits, establish additional harvest restrictions and close additional bays to oyster harvest. The new rules affect both the recreational and commercial harvest of oysters.

Aug. 24, 2017

Texas Game Warden Brad Clark Recognized as Midwest Officer of the Year

AUSTIN— The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recognized Texas game warden Brad Clark as the Midwest Officer of the Year by the Association of Midwest Fish and Game Law Enforcement Officers during Thursday’s meeting in Austin.