June 4, 2015

TPWD Kicks Off Third Year of Youth Arts Contest

AUSTIN— For the third year, Texas state parks are partnering with the “Get to Know” organization for its annual Youth Arts Contest.

Bass Habitat at Lake Austin to be Enhanced with Fish-Attracting Brush

Austin—Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is partnering with Texas Tournament Zone (TTZ) and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Watershed Protection to install fish habitat structures assembled out of brush into Lake Austin on June 7, 2015. Activities will be based out of Emma Long Park starting at 8:30 am.

June 3, 2015

Displaced Wildlife Show Up as Flood Waters Recede

AUSTIN – Things that live on the ground typically aren’t adept at treading water for long. In the aftermath of flood events that have hammered much of the state recently, biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department say encounters with various wildlife will not be uncommon.

May 28, 2015

New Bass license plate aims to increase funding for fisheries

AUSTIN— The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is re-introducing its largemouth bass conservation license plate with a new graphic design. Artwork on the new plate depicting a jumping bass chasing a lure was created by well-known wildlife artist Clemente Guzman.

May 27, 2015

State Parks Recovering from Recent Storms

AUSTIN— Torrential storms that have continued to hammer much of the state for more than a week now are leaving their mark on Texas’ State Park system. As of Wednesday, more than 50 state parks report some damage as a result of significant rainfall; about half those sites are currently either closed or partially closed to the public due to flooding.

Ehrler and TPWD Outdoor Programs Big Winners at Toyota Texas Bass Classic

ATHENS—Brent Ehrler of Redlands, California, won the Toyota Texas Bass Classic on Lake Fork over the Memorial Day weekend, taking home a check for $100,000, a fully rigged bass boat and a 2015 Toyota Tundra.

May 26, 2015

Game Warden Field Notes, May 26, 2015

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

Recreational Anglers Get 10-Days in Federal Waters for Red Snapper

AUSTIN –Texas recreational anglers will have just 10 days to catch the popular sport fish in Gulf of Mexico federal waters this summer unless they hire a charter vessel under new framework announced by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

May 22, 2015

17 Recreational Trail Projects to Share $2.38 Million in Grants

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Thursday approved $2.38 million in federal grants for 17 recreational trail projects across the state.

May 21, 2015

TPW Commission Renames Portion of Devils River State Natural Area

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Thursday authorized the renaming of the Big Satan Unit of the Devils River State Natural Area. The new Dan A. Hughes Unit honors the role of its namesake in helping the state acquire this unique property.