LUBBOCK – This month, wildlife experts are starting the second annual aerial survey to assess lesser prairie-chicken populations across five states, part of a multi-state collaboration to conserve the bird, as federal authorities consider whether to list it as a threatened species. New this year: oil and gas companies have committed $150,000 to help fund aerial survey work.
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission received a briefing from staff on the state’s red snapper fishery as well as recent action by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council that is likely to shorten this year’s recreational fishing season in federal waters.
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will hold a special meeting in Austin on Feb. 26 to discuss recent events and options involving the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery.
AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is considering an experimental landowner controlled harvest pronghorn buck season. Wildlife officials are also proposing an extension of mule deer season under Managed Lands Deer Permits as part of recommended changes to the 2013-14 Statewide Hunting Proclamation.
AUSTIN – Beginning Feb. 1, any paddler planning to put in or take out of the Devils River on public lands managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in Val Verde County must first obtain a permit from TPWD.
AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has scheduled three public scoping meetings next week to gather input about possible regulation changes for 2013-14. The scoping items include incorporation of a rule regarding recreational possession limit, clarification of fish harassment rules, bonus red drum tag requirement changes and new possession rules in state waters for aquatic resources in excess of federal limits.
AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has scheduled three public scoping meetings in January to gather input about possible regulation changes for 2013-14. The scoping items include incorporation of a rule regarding recreational possession limit, clarification of fish harassment rules, bonus red drum tag requirement changes and new possession rules in state waters for aquatic resources in excess of federal limits.
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.
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.
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.