Outdoor News - Wildlife Management Pro

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

Horrible Deer-Auto Accident Photos

Deer-Auto Collisions are Big Money!

Deer are beautiful animals. Thanks to state natural resource departments and regulated hunting throughout the United States, white-tailed deer herds are at all-time highs. And although just about everyone loves watching deer, record deer herds do not register well with everyone. In fact, some people outright despise them.

Deer-auto collisions cost millions of dollars each year. As a result, deer are not very well liked by auto insurance companies, nor the drivers that hit them. They have a whole different idea about deer management. But everyone that buys auto insurance either directly or indirectly pays for deer damage caused to autombiles. When it comes to hitting deer as they cross the road, a driver can lose more than just money. Continue reading Horrible Deer-Auto Accident Photos

Economic Impact of Hunting in Texas

Many Americans don’t know it, but North American wildlife, woods, and waters have been managed, conserved, and protected for many decades primarily because hunters have pushed for it–and helped pay for it. In 1938, Congress created the Pittman-Robertson/Wildlife Restoration federal aid program. In 1950, federal lawmakers followed up with the Dingell-Johnson/Sport Fish Restoration program. Since then, federal taxes on sporting goods created by these laws have provided $9.5 billion for state-based wildlife conservation. This highly successful conservation model has made possible the restoration and management of deer, turkey, game fish and a host of other game animals, many of which have come back from severe depletion around 1900 to record abundance today. By focusing on the habitat that sustains all wildlife, hunter-driven conservation has also benefited threatened and endangered species and nongame animals. It is only recently that non-hunters have come to appreciate the economic impact of hunting.

The economic impact of hunting is big. Texas hunters are a major economic force, with an annual economic impact of more than $4.6 billion. Sportsmen support more than twice the jobs in Texas than Dell Computer Corp., Lockheed Martin, Electronic Data Systems and Dow Chemical Co. combined (106,000 jobs vs. 49,000). In 2006, there were 1.1 million hunters (residents and nonresidents), hunting a total of 14 million days in Texas. Of the total hunters in Texas, 978,697 were state residents and 122,589 were nonresidents. Continue reading Economic Impact of Hunting in Texas

White Nose Syndrome in Bats

Bats can get white nose syndrome

Scientist and doctors are aware of the serious potential threat posed by the fungal disease known as white nose syndrome to bat populations. Many are coordinating with partner groups like Bat Conservation International and others and considering actions to protect bats across the United States. Most agencies are attempting to prevent people from transporting fungus spores which could infect bats. White-nose syndrome has not yet been detected in many states, so everyone should consider preventive measures to protect bat colonies before problems arise. The syndrome has killed hundreds of thousands of bats in many U.S. states and can kill up to 95 percent of bats at a single site once infected.

Texas, including the cave-rich Edwards Plateau region in the central Hill Country, is one of North America’s most important regions for bats. Texas has more public bat-viewing locations than any other state. That includes the largest known bat colony in the world, Bracken Cave near San Antonio. The Lone Star state also boasts the US’ most famous urban bat colony, the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin. So although white nosed syndrome has not been documented in Texas bats, below are some key points about bats and why it is important that this bat illness not invade local populations. Continue reading White Nose Syndrome in Bats

Mississippi Alligator Hunting Applications

It’s hard to beat the excitement of an alligator hunting trip that results in a big bull gator, but before you can tag that prehistoric reptile you have got to get your application submitted if you plan on hunting in Mississippi. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks reminds gator hunters that there are hunting opportunities on both public waters and private lands in 2009.

This year there are two public waters zones open to limited alligator hunting opportunities, the Pearl River/Ross Barnett Zone near Jackson and the Pascagoula River Zone in Jackson County. As in past years, applications are limited to Mississippi residents 16 years of age or older. If you have been looking forward to chasing gators get your applications in as soon as possible. The public waters season application deadline is June 15. Continue reading Mississippi Alligator Hunting Applications

Texas Online Boat Registration Website

Wildlife News: Boat Registration in Texas is a must

Summer is just around the corner and that means boaters will be taking to the water. And that means everyone needs to get their boat registrations in order before hitting the lake. Here are few helpful reminders that may prevent problems for boat owners: Purchasing a boat from an individual? Check the ownership information first, it’s easy to do and free. You can see whether the boat has a title and determine who is listed as the owner and if that matches to the person (or their legal representative) that you are buying the boat from. Avoid buying a boat with existing problems by determining is a lien exists and whether it has been released by the bank. Avoid situations noted on the record where an issue exists that will prevent a smooth transfer of ownership. Remember, when a title has been issued, you’ll need the seller to provide the title with the purchaser’s name and address listed on the back of the title and a bill of sale to complete the transfer into your name.

Didn’t get your registration renewal notice? Check the ownership information to see if you need to update your address. Providing an updated address is free and easy by using Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s form PWD 143-M (boats) or PWD 144-M (outboard motors). All forms may be downloaded online or picked up at a registration and inspection office. Texas experiences all kind of weather events — did a boat wash up on your property during the most recent hurricane or flood? Use the ownership information to connect with the owners. Continue reading Texas Online Boat Registration Website

Trinity River News Direct to You

Trinity River Information and Data will soon be available.

A new web site, radio series, and upcoming video documentary about the Trinity River were recently announced by public television station KERA-TV in Dallas. The extensive Trinity River web site for the project allows visitors to explore the geography, ecology and cultural history of the river through interactive maps, videos, and photographs. The river’s site includes a living archive where visitors can also share personal memories and observations about the Trinity and the current plans to redevelop. The web site is presented in pertinent sections.

Explore offers a map-based history of Dallas’ attempts to manage the river’s tendency to flood and looks at the challenges of managing pollution in the river. Visualize shows visitors the Trinity River system as a whole and offers an interactive way to experience the hidden beauty of the vast network of creeks, forks, and water sources that feed the river in North Texas. Voices features a collection of short interviews with people who offer their memories and observations about the river. Visitors are invited to share their own memories and opinions and contribute photographs and videos in the Share/Community section of the site. Continue reading Trinity River News Direct to You