Wildlife Exemption for Wildlife Management in Texas

Question: “We own 84 acres in Texas and are interested in wildlife management as well as acquiring a wildlife exemption. I’m meeting with a wildlife biologist next week to talk about our property as well as the neighboring 258 acres, which my relative owns. I was thinking that combining these two properties would give us about 350 acres under wildlife management. It’s not a ton, but we are interested in doing anything we can to help wildlife in our area. I figure it will not hurt the deer hunting either.

I know that it would be even better if we could get some additional neighboring landowners to co-op with us for wildlife management, but we will start with us. If we already have an ag exemption on our place can we still apply for the wildlife tax exemption as well? Can a landowner have only one of these exemptions a property or can you have both exemptions to get more of a tax break?” Continue reading Wildlife Exemption for Wildlife Management in Texas

Texas Alligator Hunting – Reduce Nuisance Gators!

The popularity of alligator hunting has taken off in the US recently because of television shows depicting wetland-loving folks catching and removing these over-sized reptiles. Alligators are cool, but not when they are causing problems. With Texas’ ever-expanding alligator population, that can be a full time job. Luckily there are folks that can help control nuisance gators. Texas is trying something new, too. Landowners will be able to contract directly with nuisance alligator hunters under new rules adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

Over the past 20 years, once imperiled alligator population in Texas have rebounded spectacularly. Increased suburban, exurban, an industrial development in an adjacent to coastal counties, particularly along the mid- and upper coast, has resulted in increasing number of nuisance alligator complaints, especially in areas biologically characterized by diminishing or little to no habitat. The new protocol will authorize a permitted control hunter to contract directly with landowner or landowner’s agent (including a political subdivision, governmental entity, or property owner’s association) for a fee or other compensation for the removal of nuisance alligators. Continue reading Texas Alligator Hunting – Reduce Nuisance Gators!

Deer Hunting: Feeder Pen Size?

Question: “Needing some deer hunting advice. I’ve read that several hunters recommend a large round pen for spin cast feeders so the whitetail do not “trapped” and it keeps the corn in the pen and away from the feral hogs, but what about for a free -hoice protein feeder using 34-inch hog panel? It would seem that the low panels and no spinning would not require as large a feeder pen. I bought eight 16-foot hog panels, but that seems like more than may be necessary. Looking for some experience-based suggestions on deer feeder pen size. Thank you.”

Wildlife Management Pro: From my experience with deer hunting and feeder pens, if you have cattle on the place you hunt then the greater the distance between the edge of the feeder pen and the feeder the better off you will be. We use pens that are made of 10 16-foot by 34-inch hog panels with two t-posts per panel. If you have cattle on your deer lease then you might buy the 16-foot by 52-inch cattle panels and cut down a spot or two for easier deer access. The panels cost the same, or nearly, at most places as hog panels. You should be able to find these panels in the $20 range. Continue reading Deer Hunting: Feeder Pen Size?