texas - Wildlife Management Pro

Poisoned Deer in Texas

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) are investigating an incident involving the misuse of the pesticide Temik in the southwestern area of Eastland County, Texas, in early October. Corn seed was treated with Temik and placed in and around some peanut fields near the intersection of U.S. 183 and County Road 173 south of Cisco. TDA is investigating why the corn was treated with Temik and distributed in this location.

The contamination of the peanut fields has killed a number of feral hogs, at least one white-tailed deer and two birds. Authorities have since taken steps to remove the contaminated corn, and no dead animals have been found at the site since the investigation began. Authorities are advising deer hunters to refrain from harvesting deer or feral hogs or eating deer or hog meat taken from within a 5-mile radius around the intersection of U.S. 183 and County Road 173 south of Cisco. However, TPWD is encouraging hunters to continue to enjoy hunting elsewhere in Eastland County and surrounding counties. Continue reading Poisoned Deer in Texas

Red Tide Watch Along Texas Gulf Coast

Red tide along the Texas Gulf Coast

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) personnel are being pulled in to assist with fish kill assessments this week, as TPWD continues to monitor and assess red tide on the lower and central Texas coast. The current red tide event began about 10 days ago, originating on and affecting primarily the southern coast but extending up toward Mustang Island State Park. It is possible that a cool front late last week reduced the current red tide on the central coast, and a similar front later this week could do likewise.

However, there have been new reports of dead fish on the southern coast, including the first confirmed report of red tide in the Laguna Madre near Mansfield Pass. The current bloom has been relatively mild compared with some larger events in past years, but it has caused dead fish to wash onto beaches and produced a mild to moderate airborne aerosol that can cause human respiratory distress. Red tide has no negative impact on migrating waterfowl. During a red tide bloom, TPWD posts daily Web updates each weekday that allow beach visitors and news media to track the latest developments. Continue reading Red Tide Watch Along Texas Gulf Coast

Bass Fishing with Rattlesnake for Bait?

Bass fishing using a rattlesnake for bait

Being a fisherman, I will try just about anything to catch a big largemouth bass. Well, almost anything. I don’t think I would ever use a rattlesnake as bait, but that is exactly what Texas angler did. I got the “rattlesnake bass” story in an email. The fellow that wrote the story apparently owns or works for River Run Guide Service, but I was unable to find a Web Site for the fishing guide on the net. Anyway, if you enjoy a good fishing story, you should enjoy this one.

“Greetings to everyone from River Run Guide Service.In 20 years of fishing the Middle/Upper Brazos River, I can honestly say that I have never encountered a venomous snake (pit viper) within the riverbed. However, as I tell my clients, go outside the riverbed and that can be a very different story. Obviously, just because I have never come accross a venomous snake in the river, does not in any way mean they are not there. In fact, I always remain vigilant and on the lookout knowing that I’m simply overdue for my first encounter. The way I look at it, Texas, venomous snakes and the outdoors will always go hand in hand.

So, I wasn’t too suprised when I observed a juvenile rattlesnake headed across the river while I was in my kayak flipping a jig for bass. I continue fishing. However, I can’t help to notice the rattler has changed it’s course and is headed straight for my kayak. At this point, I’ve pretty much quit fishing and have my attention focused on the intentions of this potentially pesky pit viper. Continue reading Bass Fishing with Rattlesnake for Bait?

The Wildlife Exemption and Management

The wildlife exemption is the most misunderstood valuation in Texas. First, it really is a valuation, or the rate at which a property is taxed. Many county appraisal districts do not realize the intention of the wildlife exemption or wildlife valuation or whatever you want to call it. No matter how you slice it, the widlife exemption is all about protecting and enhancing wildlife habitat in Texas.

One of the main goals of the wildlife exemption legislation is to protect animals that are native to Texas. This is a key component in converting land that from an ag exemption (1-d-1) to a wildlife exemption. Land may qualify for wildlife management use if it is instrumental in supporting a sustaining breeding, migrating or wintering population. A group of animals need not permanently reside on the land, provided they regularly migrate across the land or seasonally live there. Continue reading The Wildlife Exemption and Management

Texas Tarpon Observation Network

Collaboration between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Coastal Fisheries Division and the GIS Lab’s Resource Information System (RIS) team has resulted in a new online Texas Tarpon Observation Network application. The new web resource is the first of its kind for the Gulf of Mexico. The intent is to use angler observations to help monitor tarpon occurrences along the Texas coast, augment past and current tarpon research along the coast, and help raise awareness of the popular gamefish. Research is needed because the species has been declining in recent years possibly due to reservoir construction on rivers, droughts, pesticides and/or overfishing. Continue reading Texas Tarpon Observation Network

Anheuser-Busch Pulls Out on Texas Parks and Wildlife

Anheuser-Busch will no longer sponsor Texas Parks and Wildlife

Several Texas news outlets recently reported that Anheuser-Busch has ended its sponsorship relationship with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). In addition, the company has ended its cooperation with its official nonprofit partner, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. On Saturday, the Dallas Morning-News reported that late last year, Belgian-based InBev bought Anheuser-Busch and made some changes in their corporate relationships. The company’s history of support will leave a lasting conservation legacy in Texas. Since 1994, Anheuser-Busch has provided close to $15 million to support the department mission and keep Texas a great place to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors.

Over the years the company has supported a wide variety of sites and programs, including ShareLunker, Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo, Big Time Texas Hunts, Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, Coastal Fisheries Bay Team, Flat Out Fishing, Crab Trap Cleanup, Public Dove Hunting Program, Great Texas Birding Classic, Sheldon Lake Environment Learning Center, Government Canyon State Natural Area, tarpon research and the Texas Big Game Awards. The Dallas newspaper and other outlets have reported how the Anheuser-Busch departure offers new opportunities for companies or organizations that may wish to sponsor TPWD programs and sites.

Texas Trout Stocking Schedule is Released

“For an inexpensive, entry-level fishing experience the entire family can enjoy, it doesn’t get much easier than winter rainbow trout fishing in Texas.”

So begins the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) news release announcing this year’s schedule of winter rainbow trout stockings. Beginning on Dececember 3 and continuing until mid-March, the department will stock upwards of 260,000 hatchery-reared rainbow trout at 119 sites across the state. TPWD has been stocking rainbow trout each winter since the 1970s. The complete 2008-2009 Rainbow Trout Stocking Schedule is on the TPWD Web site at this page. Here anglers can find stocking locations, stocking dates and driving directions to each site. Among the winter trout stocking sites are 13 Neighborhood Fishin’ locations in city suburbs across the state. These spots get trout stocked every two weeks in the winter, but catfish are also stocked there in the summer, making them year-round family fishing destinations. Details are on the Neighborhood Fishin’ Web page, which lists the urban area, lake or pond, driving directions, and a TPWD name and contact phone number for each site.