Oct. 3, 2012

Game Warden Field Notes, Oct. 3, 2012

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

Sept. 27, 2012

Archery Deer Season a Silent Strong Opener

AUSTIN – Unlike the symphony of shotgun blasts signaling the opening weekend of dove season, few will hear the whisper soft “string music” of archery-only deer season. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a lot of hunters making bowstring music; archery hunting stamp sales are up substantially this year, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Sept. 25, 2012

TPWD Gearing Up for CWD Response during Deer Season

AUSTIN – Wildlife officials are asking mule deer hunters and landowners in far West Texas to familiarize themselves with new protocols developed as part of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Chronic Wasting Disease response plan. The plan includes mandatory check stations for harvested mule deer taken inside the CWD Containment Zone, which covers portions of Hudspeth and El Paso counties. See map of CWD zones at http://tpwd.texas.gov/cwd.

Operation Game Thief Tips Can Now Be Sent by Text

AUSTIN – Just in time for fall hunting season, the Operation Game Thief wildlife crimestoppers program has a new tool expected to increase the number of tips received as well as game law violation convictions.

Sept. 18, 2012

New video series shows how to cook wild fish and game

AUSTIN – A new series of Eat Local: Cooking Texas Style videos from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) feature Chef Jesse Griffiths, who is also leading Central Market Cooking School classes this fall in Austin, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Southlake. The classes will feature TPWD experts on hand to answer questions about hunting, fishing and the outdoors.

Sept. 5, 2012

Wildlife Officials Considering New Deer Movement Rules in Response to CWD

AUSTIN – State wildlife officials say more deliberation is needed before new rules are adopted governing Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s regulatory response to the detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Texas. Consideration of proposed rules restricting deer movement in the CWD affected area of far West Texas will be delayed until the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission’s November meeting.

Sept. 4, 2012

Take Me Outdoors Houston set for Sept. 15 at Discovery Green

HOUSTON — At a time when people in big cities are becoming increasingly disconnected from the world of nature and the outdoors, the 4th annual Take Me Outdoors Houston is set for Sept. 15 at Discovery Green.

Aug. 30, 2012

Game Warden Michelle Mount Named Texas Midwest Officer of the Year

AUSTIN — State game warden Michelle Mount has been named Officer of the Year by the Association of Midwest Fish and Game Law Enforcement Officers.

Wildlife Officials Investigating Dove Deaths in West Texas

AUSTIN – State and federal wildlife officials are investigating a series of active dove mortality events in and around the West Texas communities of Midland, Odessa and Big Spring. The cause has yet to be determined, but poisoning has not been ruled out. At this time, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department simply desires to provide hunters information on this localized event.

TPWD Sets Waterfowl Seasons for 2012-13

AUSTIN –The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission finalized this year’s waterfowl seasons at its Aug. 30 public hearing as Texas hunters make ready to welcome record numbers of ducks.