AUSTIN, Texas — Deer hunters in all or parts of 61 counties will need to size up the rack before making a shot as new buck antler restrictions take effect in many eastern and central Texas counties with the start of archery season Sept. 30.
AUSTIN, Texas — Despite offering 4,400 hunter education courses throughout the year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department understands there are some who will still wait until the last minute before hunting season to get certified. This fall, those procrastinators need not panic.
AUSTIN, Texas — Anglers in the Lower Laguna Madre could see spotted seatrout bag and size limits that are different from those in effect in other bay systems as early as September 2007.
AUSTIN, Texas — In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sportsstuff, Inc., of Omaha, Nebraska, voluntarily recalled about 19,000 Wego Kite Tubes July 13.
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Game Wardens were asked by the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office July 12, 2006, to assist in the investigation of the illegal dumping of nine elk carcasses in a field just off County Road 2311 near Tours in the northeast portion of the county.
The following are excerpts from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
AUSTIN, Texas — Acting on an Operation Game Thief (OGT) hotline tip, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens apprehended seven individuals on June 8 with more than 2,000 pounds of illegally caught snapper. The case, one of the largest seizures in Texas in recent years, resulted in citations for 26 game law violations and could result in fines and restitution of upwards of $20,000.
AUSTIN, Texas — Typical Crimestoppers programs assist law enforcement officers only by offering rewards to the public for information leading to the arrest and conviction of targeted law breakers. But with broadened authority from the Texas Legislature last year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s privately funded Operation Game Thief (OGT) program is now going a step further.
AUSTIN, Texas — National Safe Boating Week kicked-off May 19 with a mixed message from the previous year. Overall, boating accidents, injuries and fatalities continued to decrease; however, with about half of the accidents involving alcohol and 85 percent of boating fatalities recovered not wearing life jackets, many of the incidents were preventable.
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists have completed a new stock assessment of spotted seatrout in Texas. Spotted seatrout along with red drum comprise the two most important species sought by recreational anglers in Texas.