Texas’ South Zone Dove Season May Change Dates

Dove season is big in Texas

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is proposing moving the South Zone second split of dove season deeper into January, but otherwise is recommending minimal changes to the 2008-09 Early Migratory Game Bird Proclamation. TPWD staff announced the proposed dove and teal season calendar during the Regulations Committee meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, Wednesday, May 21.

The proposed dove season in the North Zone would run Sept. 1-Oct. 30, with a 15-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves; the Central Zone would be Sept. 1-Oct. 30 and reopen Dec. 26-Jan. 4, with a 12-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves; and the South Zone would run Sept. 20-Nov. 2, reopening Dec. 26-Jan. 20 with a 12 bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves. Possession limit is twice the daily bag.

The Special South Texas Whitewing Zone, which now encompasses land west of I-35 and south of U. S. Highway 90, would open to white-winged dove afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting the first two Saturdays and Sundays in September and reopen Sept. 20-Nov. 2 and again from Dec. 26-Jan. 16. The daily bag limit is 12 birds, not more than four (4) mourning doves during the first two weekend splits and two (2) white-tipped doves. Continue reading Texas’ South Zone Dove Season May Change Dates

State of Texas Recognizes Support of Quail Unlimited

Gambel’s Quail

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Upland Game Bird Advisory Board is recognizing the conservation efforts and contributions of two Texas-based chapters of Quail Unlimited. The Alamo Area Chapter of Quail Unlimited provided about $12,000 in funds that have been utilized in habitat enhancement activities and in the acquisition of equipment required to accomplish such. The most recent contribution went towards acquisition of a no-till drill to be used in providing enhanced habitats for upland birds; habitats that will not only benefit quail, but a diversity of other wildlife as well.

The South Texas Chapter of Quail Unlimited, since 2001, has contributed about $95,000 towards habitat enhancement activities and equipment purchases to accomplish such, including some $15,000 which was used toward purchase of a 4×4 tractor for use on the Daughtrey WMA.

“This level of participation and contribution represents the true spirit of the public/private partnership focus at Texas Parks and Wildlife,” said Deborah Clark, Upland Game Bird Advisory Council chair. “Specifically, these donations support improving habitat management efforts that are the foundation of providing prime hunting opportunities to a broader populace who might not otherwise have access to these and other WMA around the state. The Upland Game Bird Advisory Board is proud to recognize and publicize the generous contributions of these two Quail Unlimited chapters.”

Continue reading State of Texas Recognizes Support of Quail Unlimited

Woman Blames Herself for Bear Attack

Woman attacked by bear in Lycoming County

Denise Haldeman doesn’t blame the bear that attacked her in the darkness outside her Lycoming County, PA, home May 12, injuring her and killing her dog.

“It wasn’t her fault,” Haldeman, 44, said Wednesday. “It was the mistakes I made. She was just being a mother.”

Officials say they believe the bear that injured Haldeman is the one they trapped outside Haldeman’s home last week. The bear and three cubs had been seen in the area in the days before the encounter. Haldeman said she should not have gone out after dark to bring in three bird feeders, and she should have had Panda, her 12-year-old half Labrador retriever-half Australian herd dog, on a leash.

Haldeman said she went outside shortly after 9 p.m. to get the feeders, and Panda “tore into the yard.” She thought he was chasing a neighbor’s dog that at times runs loose. The next thing Haldeman knew, a bear was standing on its hind legs clicking its teeth at her. She turned to flee into the house, and the bear hit her from behind, knocking her face down on the patio. Continue reading Woman Blames Herself for Bear Attack

Texas’ Wild Hog Rules Aim to Help Producers and Hunters

Texas has new regulations proposed that effect hogs

Described as being as prolific as cockroaches, destructive as rats, and as surly as badgers, wild (feral) hogs are the bane of ranchers and farmers, but they’re a boon for hunters. Nearly three million of these dirt slingin’ critters roam free in Texas, rooting up pastures, wallowing in creek beds, and gorging themselves on crops and gardens. Trappers and hunters often are called in to help reduce hog numbers when feral swine run amuck.

For nearly a year, a team of commercial swine and show pig producers, slaughter plant operators, veterinarians, hunters, hog trappers and wildlife biologists have wrestled with rule ideas that would prevent captured wild hogs from creating more chaos, while still giving hunters an opportunity to bag a boar trophy worth bragging rites.

In mid-May, draft regulations were presented to commissioners for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state’s livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. Public comment on the proposed rules, to be published in the Texas Register June 6, will be accepted by the TAHC through July 6. TAHC commissioners will consider the rules for adoption at their next meeting on July 29 in Austin. Continue reading Texas’ Wild Hog Rules Aim to Help Producers and Hunters

Wild Turkey Flies Through a Window!

A wild turkey flew through this window!

A wild turkey crashed through a window in the Lubbock County Courthouse on Monday, prompting thoughts of a courthouse shooting and leaving a cartoon-like hole in the glass.

“It was like a boom and the glass shattered,” said Baldemar Hernandez, who was attending a child-support hearing on the building’s fourth floor when the bird made its unwelcome appearance. “I thought, Somebody’s shooting at us.’ “

The hole in the window looked like something from a Looney Toon – a turkey-shaped whole in the glass. Continue reading Wild Turkey Flies Through a Window!

Texas’ Mentored Hunting Permit Information

Public hunting on wildlife management areas

A new public hunting opportunity for newcomers, the Mentored Hunting Permit (MHP), will launch this fall. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved the new hunter recruitment initiative at its May 22 public meeting. The program provides limited opportunities for people interested in participating in a multi-day hunter recruitment workshop on a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wildlife management area (WMA).

Participation will be by reservation, on a first-come, first-served basis, and the fee for the Mentored Hunting Permit will be $25.

The mentored hunting workshop will focus on teaching hunting skills, safety, ethics, game processing and preparation, elements of habitat management, and provide guidance and advice for hunting activities in the future. As part of the workshop, participants would be offered the opportunity to take part in a mentored hunt accompanied by an experienced hunter on the WMA. At this time, mentored hunts for dove, squirrel, and other small game, waterfowl, and feral hog are being considered for the workshops. Continue reading Texas’ Mentored Hunting Permit Information

Apply for LAMPS Antlerless Deer Permits

LAMPS permits are need for some Texas counties

Get ready for deer season now! Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is now accepting applications for Landowner Assisted Management Permitting System (LAMPS) antlerless deer permits for the 2008-2009 hunting season. The LAMPS program was initiated in 1993 to offer East Texas landowners and hunters additional opportunities for harvesting antlerless deer.

Many counties in East Texas allow the harvest of antlerless deer “by permit only,” or during a few select “doe days.” However, LAMPS permits allow antlerless deer to be hunted the entire general gun season with minimal reporting requirements. Continue reading Apply for LAMPS Antlerless Deer Permits