Author: WM Pro

Wetland Management for Waterfowl

Hunting waterfowl such as ducks and geese can be exciting and is an important part of wildlife population management, but providing adequate habitat should be of primary importance to any hunter or landowner. Providing habitat for ducks and geese varies from property to property, but active wetland management is the cornerstone to meeting the needs of migrating waterfowl populations.

Of all the wetland types out there, coastal wetlands are arguably some of the most important. These wetlands played a critical role historically because the millions of farm ponds and lakes that ducks and geese now use for wintering did not exist. Persons owning or leasing coastal wetlands can implement management practices that benefit local and migrating waterfowl and improve overall duck and goose hunting. Continue reading Wetland Management for Waterfowl

Cold, Wet Weather Kills Axis Deer

Axis deer are a subtropical species native to India that have been introduced into many parts of the world, including Texas. Although Texas is at the pinch-point between the southeast and the southwest, the area does get extended cold weather from time to time. This can wreak havoc on axis deer, especially when combined with cold weather that last for several days. It was recently reported that many axis deer were found dead in Kendall County.

Recent weather conditions have been very cold by Texas standards combined with lots of precipitation. The climatic conditions over the past few days, prolonged cold and wet, were similar to those reported in March of 2009 in Kerr County. At that time, the deer die off included axis with a limited number of white-tailed deer. Additional Texas couties and urban areas reported trouble with axis deer during that period, as well. Continue reading Cold, Wet Weather Kills Axis Deer

Texas Quail Hunting is About Timing

Quail hunting is really fun when the birds are thick coming off a good nesting season, but it can be downright challenging when there are few quail to be found. In December 2009, I had the opportunity to hunt quail on two South Texas ranches. My expectations were low because the 2009 nesting season was nearly a total bust because of historic heat and drought conditions throughout the state. This was a nesting season where few, if any birds were produced.

Since the majority of birds in a bobwhite hunter’s bag are typically hatch-year (young of the year; juvenile birds), I knew from the get-go that we would most likely find only a few coveys for our efforts. After a hard day of hunting with good dogs and expert guides and in areas of good quail habitat, we flushed five coveys. Later in the week, after a half-day hunt on another ranch, again in good habitat, we only moved two coveys! Continue reading Texas Quail Hunting is About Timing

Quail Management: Leave the Coyotes?

When it comes to quail management, proper techiniques for increasing quail populations includes predator control and habitat enhancment. However, on-going research suggests that coyotes may be beneficial to quail populations that thought in the past, at least if the preliminary results pan out. The research, which takes place in Texas, involves putting GPS tracking devices on raccoons and coyotes to find out information on their movement patterns.

To date, the study has found that female raccoons were limited to the riparian areas with dense undercover and tall trees. Quail do not inhabit such areas, so female raccoons are presumed innocent of the crime of eating and destroying quail nest. However, whether female raccons would venture into the grassland if coyotes were absent remains to be seen, because all coyotes would have to be removed to determine their response. Continue reading Quail Management: Leave the Coyotes?

Feral Hogs Impair Texas’ Watersheds

Hogs are not native to Texas. In fact, they are not even native to the United States. As such, all hogs found in Texas are the results of either escaped and released domestic hogs. These domestic hogs gone wild are referred to as “feral.” Although they can be fun to hunt, feral hogs cause large amounts of damage, particularly to Texas’ watersheds.

The latest research shows that this exotic non-native mammal causes somewhere around $52 million worth of agricultural damage on an annual basis in Texas. This includes farming and ranching damages. Additionally, it is believed that feral hogs negatively influence water quality in almost every watershed throughout the state. Continue reading Feral Hogs Impair Texas’ Watersheds

More Mule Deer Hunting in Texas?

White-tailed deer hunting may be the most sought after big game animal in Texas, but whitetail are not the only deer living in the state. Mule deer cover much of the Trans-Pecos as well as the Texas Panhandle, where mule deer hunting seasons currently exists. However, conservative regulations  have allowed mule deer to reclaim some of their historical range and that may allow additional recreational opportunities. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)  is now looking at increasing mule deer hunting in a couple of Texas counties.

“TPWD is recommending an open general season for mule deer in Dawson and Wheeler counties, and adding a day to the season across the Trans Pecos region. Department staff presented the proposals to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Regulations Committee. The proposals address a priority goal in TPWD’s Land and Water Resource Conservation and Recreation Plan to increase access to and participation in the outdoors.

Currently there is no open season for mule deer in Dawson or Wheeler counties. Implementing a nine-day, buck-only season in Dawson County and a 16-day, buck-only season in Wheeler County would offer increased hunter opportunity without adversely impacting mule deer reproduction or distribution. Continue reading More Mule Deer Hunting in Texas?

Buffalo Herd Shot in Texas Panhandle

Not all that long ago, buffalo once roamed most of Texas, save the piney woods. After all, Texas is in the southern portion of the Great Plains. Now, most of the buffalo found in the Lone Star State are found on private land, with the animals having come from captive herds. The legal status of those captive herds, however, is now in question after a man shot 51 buffalo that roamed onto his ranch from a neighboring ranch:

Source: A West Texas Ranch wants new state laws in place after the majority of their herd of buffalo is shot dead on neighboring land. The Guthrie ranch says it was one man who picked up a gun and shot the buffalo, they say unnecessarily. Continue reading Buffalo Herd Shot in Texas Panhandle