Jan. 8, 2010

Coastal Anglers Asked to Assist During Freeze

AUSTIN, Texas — Coastal anglers are asked to be mindful of conditions during extreme cold weather, particularly the impacts a saltwater freeze event can have on game fish populations.

Jan. 6, 2010

TPWD Seeks Volunteers to Remove Abandoned Crab Traps

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Hoping to add to the mountain of almost 26,000 derelict crab traps hauled from Texas bays since 2002, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials are gearing up for the 9th Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, running this year from February 19-28, 2010.

Dec. 23, 2009

TPWD’s Top 10 Conservation News Stories of 2009

Editors Note: In this issue of TPWD News, we forsake our usual format and provide a summary of the top news stories of 2009. Details about these topics can be found in the department’s online news archive. Please note that TPWD will not be distributing weekly news during the coming holidays. News distribution will resume during the first full week of January, 2010. Happy Holidays!

Dec. 18, 2009

Two Harris’ Hawks Seized in North Carolina Returning Home to Texas

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — A pair of Harris’ hawks, unlawfully captured in Texas and brought to North Carolina, are being treated to a plane ride back to their south Texas home today, the culmination of nearly two months of effort that included law enforcement officers, raptor biologists, and Delta Air Lines.

Nov. 23, 2009

Game Warden Field Notes, Nov. 23, 2009

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

Nov. 17, 2009

Game Warden Sgt. Chris Davis Named Shikar-Safari Officer Of The Year

AUSTIN, Texas — Chris Davis of Austin has received the prestigious Shikar-Safari Club International’s Wildlife Officer of the Year Award, awarded annually by the worldwide conservation organization to one wildlife law enforcement officer in each state. Davis, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department special operations sergeant is the 30th Texan to receive the award.

Nov. 5, 2009

Texas Joining Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact

AUSTIN, Texas — Game law violators in Texas could face additional consequences for their actions under an interstate agreement recognizing suspension of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses in other states.

Oct. 30, 2009

Texas Delaying Oyster Season Opening In Some Areas

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas oyster season will open Nov. 1, but due to health risks there will be several areas closed to harvest. Recent heavy rains statewide and red tide events on the lower Texas coast prompted the Texas Department of State Health Services to issue closure notices for some shellfish harvesting areas, including the Galveston Bay area.

Oct. 22, 2009

New Game Warden Training Center Construction On Track

AUSTIN, Texas — Phase one of construction on a new $20 million Texas Game Warden Training Center in Hamilton County is proceeding on schedule and on budget and is set to be completed by the end of December.

Oct. 20, 2009

Fish Kill Investigated on Fairfield Lake

FAIRFIELD, Texas — September means at least two unpleasant annual natural phenomena in East Texas: ragweed is blooming and fish are dying at Lake Fairfield. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Inland Fisheries management and Kills and Spills Team (KAST) biologists investigated a major fish kill on Fairfield Lake the second week of September.