May 28, 2009

TPWD Dove Season Framework Gets Commission Approval

AUSTIN, Texas — Changes proposed for the 2009-2010 Texas dove season, including a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag statewide, received approval from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

Commission Approves Public Hunting on 44 State Park Sites

AUSTIN, Texas — Nearly half of the sites in the Texas State Parks system will conduct public hunts during the 2009-2010 hunting season. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved scheduled hunts on 44 state park units at its May 28 public hearing.

TPWD Announces Proposed Waterfowl Season Framework

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas will likely revert this fall to the standard 74-day season and six bird daily bag limit framework for ducks during the general waterfowl seasons. The department is proposing dates and bag limit possibilities based on a liberal season package, pending authorization of the federal framework for the Central Flyway by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

May 20, 2009

New Art Work Takes Deer License Plate from Pink to Macho

AUSTIN, Texas — The white-tailed deer specialty license plate that benefits big game management and research in Texas now sports new and improved artwork depicting a white-tailed deer, an image based fittingly on a trophy buck from a ranch served by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department technical assistance program.

May 19, 2009

Student Archers on Target for World Records

AUSTIN, Texas — They came to Louisville, Kentucky with equipment invented in Africa 52,000 years ago. They arrived by auto, bus, and airplane in singles, pairs and excited packs until 4,565 student archers had gathered to obliterate the world record for the largest archery tournament in world history. The 2009 National Archery in the Schools Program championship was about to begin.

May 14, 2009

Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo in Austin Suspended

AUSTIN, Texas — Because of a sponsorship revenue decline related to the economic recession, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is cancelling the Texas Parks & Wildlife Expo set for Oct. 3-4 in Austin. The agency will suspend the Austin event for at least this year and 2010 and will instead expand efforts to support similar events around the state.

May 6, 2009

Melinchuk Named TPWD Deputy Executive Director for Natural Resources

AUSTIN, Texas — Ross Melinchuk has been selected to lead the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s natural resource divisions as Deputy Executive Director for Natural Resources. Melinchuk has more than three decades of experience in the field, most recently as Director of Public Policy for Ducks Unlimited (DU), where he was responsible for providing strategic direction for public policy and state grant activities for a 15 state region, including Texas.

April 28, 2009

TPWD Scoping Migratory Bird Issues at Public Hearings

AUSTIN, Texas — In addition to public comment on proposed fee increases and dove hunting seasons, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is inviting input on a series of scoping issues related to migratory game birds during public hearings around the state.

Feral Hogs Not Tied to Swine Flu

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reminds hunters and trappers there is no indication of a human-animal disease relationship with swine flu and to continue to use common sense when handling feral hogs.

April 24, 2009

TPWD to Honor Lone Star Land Stewards

AUSTIN, Texas — The ability to manage land in difficult times, through extended dry periods and economic downturns, is the hallmark of a good land steward. This year’s recipients of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Lone Star Land Steward Awards are prime examples.