Aug. 2, 2011

Hunting, Fishing Licenses sold online Aug. 15

AUSTIN — Current year Texas hunting and fishing licenses (except year-to-date fishing licenses) expire Aug. 31, and new licenses for 2011-2012 will go on sale Monday, Aug. 15.

July 29, 2011

Near shore artificial reefs build fish habitat, coastal economy

Reefing operations began in Port Mansfield last week in a joint project between the Coastal Conservation Association, Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

July 28, 2011

Summertime Fish Kills Affecting DFW Area Lakes

Fort Worth— As daytime temperatures remain above 100 degrees, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Inland Fisheries biologist are getting more calls from concerned anglers and pond owners in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex regarding fish kills.

July 27, 2011

Texas Early Migratory Seasons Set for Dove, Teal and Canada Geese

AUSTIN — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SRC (Service Regulation Committee) has approved the 2011-2012 Texas early migratory game bird seasons, including a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag statewide for dove, a 16-day early season for teal and Canada geese.

North Texans urged to be on the lookout for exotic and invasive mussels

ABILENE — In April 2009 Lake Texoma and Sister Grove Creek, which empties into Lake Lavon, were invaded by an aquatic critter known as the zebra mussel. Zebra mussels have become well established in Lake Texoma; however, to date there is no indication that they have become established in Lake Lavon. Zebra mussels have the uncanny ability to attach to nearly anything underwater and very quickly colonize rocks, boat docks, water intake pipes, boats or even your minnow bucket.

July 25, 2011

Drought Threatens Fish, Wildlife, Parks in Texas

AUSTIN – As experts nervously watch mounting threats of record drought in Texas, several truths are evident: (1) when water won’t fall from the sky, what comes out of the ground is critical, (2) there are important things people can do to prepare to weather a drought, but when you’re in one the only quick fix is rain and (3) there are still parks, lakes and spring-fed rivers with water where folks can beat the dry heat.

July 21, 2011

Drought Impacts on Texas Reservoirs Mounting

ATHENS—Following the drought of record of the 1950s, Texas built dozens of reservoirs designed to maintain an adequate water supply should another drought of equal severity occur.

July 20, 2011

Hunter, guides charged with taking big ‘gator on private property without landowner permission

AUSTIN — A Dallas man and three fishing and hunting guides from Crockett have been charged with taking wildlife on private property without the landowner’s permission following a state game warden investigation into the death of a 13 foot, 1-inch alligator killed in Leon County.

July 8, 2011

Cleveland Angler Sets New State Catch-and-Release Record for Alligator Gar

ATHENS—Joseph Williams of Cleveland, Texas, fishes the Trinity River below Lake Livingston dam about 30 weekends a year, trying to catch big alligator gar and release them alive.

July 1, 2011

Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Season to Open July 15

AUSTIN, Texas — The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters will open 30 minutes after sunset Friday, July 15, 2011. The opening date is based on an evaluation of the biological, social and economic information to maximize the benefits to the industry and the public.