June 3, 2013

Judge Strikes Down Red Snapper Emergency Rule

AUSTIN – A federal judge in Brownsville has ruled in favor of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) in a joint lawsuit brought by both agencies challenging an emergency regulation enacted by the federal National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The ruling means that the 2013 recreational red snapper fishing season in federal waters off the Texas coast will be longer than it would have been under the emergency rule.

May 31, 2013

2013 State Parks Photo Contest Closes, Winners Announced

AUSTIN, Texas- Three winning images have been selected as the best of more than 1,600 entries from over 600 photographers in the Texas Parks and Wildlife 2013 State Parks Photo Contest.

May 29, 2013

Free Food, Fishing at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center for National Fishing Day

ATHENS, Texas- National Fishing and Boating Week will start this weekend with a big splash at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens with their annual National Fishing Day celebration.

Angler Sets New Fly Rod State Record for Channel Catfish

ATHENS—When Bryan Smith of Athens isn’t helping visitors to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) catch fish, he does some fishing on his own.

May 28, 2013

Charges Filed in Galveston Hit-and-Run Boating Accident

AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens have filed felony charges against a Galveston man accused of failing to stop and render aid while operating a motorboat that collided with a sailboat in the Galveston Channel Sunday night.

May 24, 2013

“Clean, Drain and Dry” Regimen Bad News for Zebra Mussels

AUSTIN — Nothing ruins a zebra mussel’s day more than a boater who Cleans, Drains and Dries his boat to prevent the spread of this small but devastating aquatic invasive species.

May 23, 2013

Balmorhea Springs Placed on “Waters to Watch” List

BALMORHEA—Balmorhea Springs, a complex of Trans-Pecos water sources which supports two endangered fish species, an endangered snail, and four other species of concern, has been placed on the National Fish Habitat Partnership’s 10 “Water to Watch” list for 2013.

TPWD Proposals Aim to Streamline Hunter Education Process

AUSTIN – Proposed changes to the state’s hunter education certification program would streamline the process for the tens of thousands of Texans who take the course annually, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials.

TPW Commission Approves Land Acquisition to Benefit Lesser Prairie Chicken

AUSTIN- The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission has approved the acquisition of more than 3,000 acres of lesser prairie chicken habitat as an addition to the Yoakum Dunes Preserve in the Texas Panhandle, which is dedicated to the conservation of this iconic grasslands species.

$5.7 Million Recreational Trail Grant Largest Award in Program’s History

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on Thursday approved $5.7 million in federal grants for 33 recreational trail projects across the state. This is the largest amount of grant funds awarded from the Recreational Trail Grant Program in the 20-year history of the program in Texas.  Seventy-two project proposals were submitted requesting almost $12 million in funding assistance.