Aug. 13, 2009

Game Warden Field Notes, Aug. 13, 2009

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

Hunter Education Classes Filling Up Fast for Fall

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is encouraging hunters in need of certification to enroll soon as fall hunter education courses are filling up fast. As hunting seasons draw closer, demand for hunter education classes is expected to increase.

Aug. 12, 2009

New Season Hunting, Fishing Licenses Go On Sale Aug. 15

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas hunting and fishing licenses for 2009-2010 will go on sale Saturday, Aug. 15. Sportsmen are reminded all current Texas annual hunting and fishing licenses (except for the year-to-date fishing license) expire Aug. 31.

Aug. 10, 2009

Drowning Victim Recovered on Calaveras Lake

SAN ANTONIO — Authorities this morning recovered a body on Calaveras Lake believed to be a missing San Antonio man whose boat capsized around midnight Saturday.

Aug. 6, 2009

New Lesser Prairie-Chicken Brochure Available For Landowners

LUBBOCK, Texas — A new brochure titled "A Shared Future" details how the lesser prairie-chicken is an indicator of rangeland health and part of the West Texas heritage, how it could affect agriculture and rural property if the bird is listed as threatened or endangered, and what landowners and others can do to conserve wildlife habitat and safeguard the region’s economy, outdoor recreation opportunities and natural legacy.

Texas to Delay Mottled Duck Harvest Five Days

AUSTIN, Texas — Duck hunters in Texas will once again get the liberal waterfowl season with a 74-day season and six bird daily bag limit framework during the 2009-2010 general waterfowl seasons, but mottled ducks will be off the table during the first five days. The framework has been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is pending adoption by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its Aug. 27 public meeting.

Dry Conditions Could Boost Dove Hunting Prospects

AUSTIN, Texas — Despite extended drought conditions across much of Texas, wildlife biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department suggest there has been enough moisture to set the stage for good hunting this dove season.

Aug. 5, 2009

New Guides Make Texas State Park Visit a Breeze

AUSTIN, Texas — Texans still looking to take a summer trek amid a sputtering economy without breaking the bank need look no further than a nearby Texas state park for an affordable and enjoyable vacation destination. To help you plan and make the most of a visit to many of the state’s natural and cultural gems, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers two new, free publications.

Aug. 3, 2009

Pilot Survives Plane Crash at Lake Whitney State Park

AUSTIN, Texas — A small, single-engine private plane crashed and caught fire around 10:15 a.m. today near the public airfield inside Lake Whitney State Park. The sole occupant, the pilot, was transported in stable condition to Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth.

July 31, 2009

Texas State Parks Coping with Summer Heat, Drought

AUSTIN, Texas — Visitation to more than 90 Texas state parks, up significantly in June compared to last year, remains steady this summer, even as much of central and south Texas  suffers with above-normal temperatures and severe drought conditions that have negatively impacted river flows and lake levels, and sent all but the hardiest campers indoors.