Sept. 22, 2005

State Parks Host Rita Evacuees, Game Wardens Prep For Rescue Work

AUSTIN, Texas — As Hurricane Rita bears down on the Texas coast, coastal state parks are temporarily closing, while others open their doors at no cost to hurricane evacuees. Meanwhile, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens, many of them fresh from Katrina duty in New Orleans, are staging for a possible new round of rescues in their home state. (The Governor’s Emergency Management Council is coordinating Rita response for all state agencies, including TPWD game wardens.)

Sept. 19, 2005

Agencies Preparing To Fight Hydrilla In Lake Conroe

AUSTIN, Texas — In an effort to avoid repeating a scenario that occurred here more than 25 years ago, the San Jacinto River Authority and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are making plans to control hydrilla and protect native vegetation in Lake Conroe.

Devils River Minnow Plan Will Protect Water Resources

DEL RIO, Texas — Working to keep plenty of clean water flowing in Southwest Texas rivers, streams and springs will benefit people as well as a rare fish. This is according to a scientist who worked on the recovery plan for the Devils River minnow (Dionda diaboli), a plan recently approved by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

TPWD Game Warden Field Notes, Sept. 19, 2005

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

Sept. 16, 2005

Red Tide Causing Minor Fish Kills Along South Texas Coast

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials believe isolated fish kills observed this week along the lower Texas coast can be attributed to red tide.

Sept. 12, 2005

'Dirty Dozen' Prohibited Species Brochure Debuts

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has introduced a new brochure which details prohibited species in the seafood market. The brochure describes the harm to humans and the ecosystem that could result if each of the exotic (non-native) species makes it out into the environment.

Dallas Man Gets World Record On Fly Rod

AUSTIN, Texas — A Dallas man's catch from earlier this year was just certified as a world record by the International Game Fish Association.

Big Country Gets Big Rains

ATHENS, Texas — Every time there are widespread rains of half an inch or more across West Texas, the San Angelo Standard-Times puts a drawing of a crowing red rooster, General Rainz, on the front page.

Sept. 8, 2005

Texas Game Wardens, State Parks Aid Katrina Victims

AUSTIN, Texas — Within the past week, Texas game wardens in New Orleans have rescued close to 5,000 people left stranded by Hurricane Katrina's lingering floodwaters. Meanwhile, hundreds of evacuees are still camping free in dozens of Texas state parks.

Sept. 5, 2005

San Antonio Man Is First Super Combo Prize Winner

AUSTIN, Texas — Stephen Koepke didn’t believe it when a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department employee phoned him Aug. 29 to tell him he’d won a $1,000 outdoor gear shopping spree and a $60 Texas State Parks Pass.