May 6, 2022

Federal Red Snapper Season Opens June 1 with new DESCEND Act regulations

AUSTIN- The private recreational angler red snapper season in federal water opens Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Red snapper fishing is open year around in state waters. Bag and size limits will remain unchanged. The regulations are 2 fish per person daily with a 16-inch minimum size limit in federal waters, and 4 fish per person daily with a 15-inch minimum in state waters. Red snapper caught in federal waters count as part of the state bag limit of 4 fish. No more than 2 red snapper in federal waters and 4 red snapper in state waters may be in your possession while fishing.

May 5, 2022

Texas State-Fish Art Contest Reveals 2022 Winners

ATHENS – The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) is pleased to announce the Texas division of Wildlife Forever’s Fish Art Contest winners for 2022.

“Lone Star Bass” Heading to Texas Lakes this Spring

ATHENS – Offspring from the Toyota ShareLunker Program are set to be delivered to waterbodies across the state. Between May and July, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will stock Texas lakes with pure Florida strain largemouth bass exclusively from broodfish produced from Legacy Class (13+plus pound) entries into the ShareLunker program. Dubbed “Lone Star Bass” to denote their special significance to Texas, the unique fish are made possible by the valued partnership with anglers who loan their fish to the program.

May 4, 2022

First Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Wild Bird in Texas

AUSTIN – The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed this week the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a great horned owl at a rehabilitation facility in Wichita County — the first such confirmed case in a wild bird in Texas. The facility quickly notified the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) after the owl began to show clinical signs consistent with HPAI. This case of HPAI follows an early April detection of the disease in a commercial pheasant flock located in Erath County.

April 27, 2022

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Would Save Fish and Wildlife, Add Jobs and Grow Businesses in Texas

AUSTIN –The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) is currently racing through Congress with unprecedented bipartisan support. RAWA could bring $50 million to the state to help protect wildlife, restore land and give Texans more ways to enjoy the outdoors. Help is needed to get RAWA to the finish line. The public is encouraged to contact their U.S. senators and representatives to vote “yes” for this important legislation.

Lone Star Land Steward Ecoregion Award Winners Announced

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is proud to reveal the 2022 Lone Star Land Steward Ecoregion Award winners. This year’s award winners represent a variety of conservation goals and accomplishments, all of which display excellence in natural resource management and stewardship.

April 26, 2022

DeWitt County Game Warden Honored as Texas Wildlife Officer of the Year

VICTORIA- Texas Game Warden Trey Kram’s dedication to educating his community, engaging local organizations and pursuing poaching investigations has set a high standard among his peers and throughout the state. This month the National Wild Turkey Federation recognized Warden Kram as the Texas Wildlife Officer of the Year.

April 25, 2022

TPW Magazine Highlights Lights Out Texas Initiative for Spring Bird Migration

AUSTIN— The May issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, available on newsstands now, highlights the Lights Out Texas campaign, which aims to create a safer spring migration for birds through cities across the state. Lights both attract and disorient the birds.

April 21, 2022

TPWD Celebrates Texas Master Naturalists during National Volunteer Week

AUSTIN – As part of National Volunteer Week, April 17 -23, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) along with its partner, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, is proud to celebrate Texas Master Naturalists and their work educating Texans about conserving our state’s natural resources.

April 19, 2022

Seventh Annual Texas City Nature Challenge Encourages Citizen Scientists to Record Nature Observations

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), through the Texas Nature Trackers program, invites Texans to participate in the seventh annual City Nature Challenge, Friday, April 29 through Monday, May 2. This global community-based scientific effort, co-organized by San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, invites current and aspiring citizen scientists of all ages and backgrounds to observe and submit pictures of wild plants, animals and fungi using the free mobile app iNaturalist.