Oct. 16, 2009

Texas Parks Make Finding Halloween Fun Easy

AUSTIN, Texas — No matter where you are in Texas, more than a dozen nearby state parks and fisheries centers have a variety of family-themed Halloween activities and attractions to offer.

Oct. 15, 2009

Reminder: New Rules in Effect for November Flounder Run

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials are reminding coastal anglers that during November flounder fishing is allowed by rod and reel only, with no gigging allowed, and the bag limit has been reduced to two fish.

Oct. 14, 2009

Big Sam at Risk

ATHENS, Texas — Over 100 acres of giant salvinia was found in the Angelina River north of Sam Rayburn Reservoir on Tuesday, October 13, 2009. Acting with the help of a waterfowl hunter, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) personnel investigated and identified the plants in a backwater area called Estes Lake approximately 10 miles upstream from Marion Ferry and Kingtown, in Nacogdoches County. An annual vegetation survey conducted by airplane last month did not detect the infestation since the survey does not include the Angelina River above Kingtown. The infestation had apparently been contained by shallow water and dense brush perhaps for a year or more. Low water levels help contain the infestation but recent rains may force the infestation south towards the main portion of the reservoir. Additional surveys are being conducted to define the southern extent of the infestation and determine if the infestation has reached the river channel.

Oct. 12, 2009

Is There a Lunker Lurking in Your Attic?

ATHENS, Texas — The first photograph was taken 170 years ago, so you’d think that everyone who ever caught a largemouth bass weighing 13 pounds or more would have been photographed proudly holding it.

Oct. 9, 2009

Whooper Boosters Hope For A Better Winter

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ most famous endangered bird is on its way back to its winter home, and supporters everywhere are hoping it’s a better year for the whooping crane. Federal biologists report that whooping cranes have begun their fall migration from Canada, with arrivals on the central Texas coast anticipated within the next couple of weeks.

Coalition Protects Habitat, Releases Captive-reared Houston Toads

AUSTIN, Texas — Recent rains in Central Texas not only watered residential lawns and filled ranch cattle tanks, but also brought much needed relief to one of the most imperiled species in Texas — the endangered and elusive Houston toad, Bufo houstonensis. Ironically named the Houston toad, it disappeared from Harris County by the 1970’s. Historic prolonged droughts combined with rapid urbanization and habitat loss are the primary reasons for the toad’s decline.

TPWD Seeking Redesign Bids For Galveston Island State Park

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking a top-notch architectural/design firm to come up with a state-of-the-art, sustainable design for rebuilding hurricane-ravaged Galveston Island State Park.

Sea Center Texas to Host Halloween Spooktacular

Lake Jackson, Texas — To provide local families with a safe, enjoyable trick-or-treat experience Sea Center Texas will host its annual Halloween Spooktacular on Sunday, Oct. 25.

Oct. 7, 2009

Game Warden Field Notes, Oct. 7, 2009

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

Oct. 5, 2009

State-Fish Art Expo Coming to Texas

ATHENS, Texas-The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) has agreed to host the 2010 national State-Fish Art expo next July.