Aug. 6, 2013

State Agencies Asking Texans to Share How Drought Has Affected Their Lives

AUSTIN — What does your Texas drought look like? With more than 97 percent of Texas suffering from drought conditions, that’s what the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) want to know. This coalition of state agencies today launched an interactive public awareness campaign inviting Texans to submit personal photos capturing what the drought looks like for them and how it has impacted their lives.

28 New State Game Wardens Heading to the Field

AUSTIN – Twenty-eight new state game wardens soon will be spreading across Texas to begin their law enforcement duties after completing seven months of intensive training at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Warden Training Center in Hamilton County.

July 11, 2013

Special Issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine Focuses on Agency’s Past and Future as it Turns 50

AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department marks its 50th anniversary this summer with a special issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine. The magazine tips a figurative Stetson to the various partners who helped further the agency’s conservation mission over the last five decades, and looks ahead to the next half century.

International Enforcement Operation Exposes Web-based Wildlife Trafficking in Texas and Nationwide

AUSTIN – Scores of illegal wildlife traffickers face federal and state charges for selling protected species online last summer.The cases result from a coordinated undercover law enforcement operation conducted simultaneously by Texas game wardens, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, other states and federal agencies, and three Asian countries.

July 9, 2013

Teal Bag Increase, Expanded White-winged Dove Zone Approved

AUSTIN – Texas bird hunters might consider investing in an extra box or two of shells this year to take advantage of increased bag and possession limits and expanded opportunities.

July 2, 2013

Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Season to Open July 15

AUSTIN — The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both state and federal waters will open 30 minutes after sunset Monday, July 15. The opening date is based on an evaluation of the biological, social and economic information to maximize the benefits to the industry and the public.

July 1, 2013

Emergency Zebra Mussels Order Signed

AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director Carter Smith has signed an emergency order adding the West Fork of the Trinity River including Lakes Bridgeport, Eagle Mountain, and Worth to the list of water bodies under special regulations intended to help control the spread of zebra mussels.

Invasive Species Workshop at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center July 13

ATHENS—You can help prevent the spread of invasive aquatic and other species in East Texas.

June 27, 2013

Game Warden Field Notes, June 27, 2013

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

Zebra Mussels Confirmed in Lake Bridgeport

AUSTIN – Zebra mussel larvae, known as veligers, have been confirmed in Lake Bridgeport. The news comes days after the discovery of the invasive exotic in Lewisville Lake.