TPWD News Releases

Game Warden Field Notes, Sept. 8, 2021

Applications Being Accepted for Texas Game Warden Cadet Class

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is currently accepting applications for their 65th Texas Game Warden Cadet class.

Teal Hunters in Texas Can Anticipate Another Good Season

AUSTIN – The 2021 early teal hunting season arrives this Saturday (Sept. 11) and Texas hunters can once again expect a good season. Habitat conditions across much of the state are in outstanding shape which is a great sign going into the season.

Water, Boating Safety Takes Precedence Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

AUSTIN— With Labor Day weekend approaching, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding everyone to be safe this holiday by following basic boating and water safety precautions. In 2020, Texans took advantage of the outdoors and hit the waters in droves, driving recreational boating accidents to a 30 year high. Outreach efforts by Texas Game Wardens and community partners have resulted in a 24 percent decrease in boating related accidents but numbers remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Lake Worth “Fully Infested” with Zebra Mussels

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has designated Lake Worth in Tarrant County on the Trinity River basin as “infested” with invasive zebra mussels. Infested status signifies that there is an established, reproducing population of zebra mussels in the lake. The designation is a result of recent sampling efforts.

Chronic Wasting Disease Discovered at a Deer Breeding Facility in Duval County

AUSTIN – Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been discovered in a deer breeding facility in Duval County, marking the first positive detection of the disease in the county.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Special Meeting on CWD Set for Sept. 15

AUSTIN— The Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission will hold a special meeting on proposed rules related to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).  Earlier this year, the discovery of CWD in six  deer breeding facilities necessitated the filing of emergency rules in an attempt to stop the further spread of this disease.  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff has been working with Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and numerous stakeholder groups to develop rules that will ultimately replace the emergency rules.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Film, Bayou City, Nominated for Jackson Wild Media Award

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is proud to announce that the short film, “Bayou City”, has been nominated for a 2021 Jackson Wild Media Award in the Ecosystem – Short Film category. The film explores the 22 diverse bayou systems throughout the city of Houston.

Trinity River Alligator Gar Harvest Authorization Drawing Opens Sept. 1

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will begin the Alligator Gar Harvest Authorization drawing application process on September 1.

Black Gap Wildlife Management Area Designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary

BREWSTER COUNTY – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is proud to announce that Black Gap Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has been designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). Black Gap WMA is the second TPWD property to receive the Sanctuary designation, joining Devils River State Natural Area – Del Norte Unit which was designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2019.