AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Yeti and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently partnered to enhance fish habitat at Granger Lake. Yeti accepted more than 160 donated Christmas trees at its flagship store in Austin and TPWD Inland Fisheries biologists and technicians transported the trees to the lake, where they were installed as reefs to provide fish habitat. “This project not only enhanced fish habitat at Granger Lake, but it […]
TPWD
TPWD Provides Anglers with Best Practices for Catch and Release of Alligator Gar
Alligator gar hold a special place in Texans’ hearts as the largest and longest-living freshwater species in the state. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) works to ensure healthy populations remain in Texas for future generations to enjoy. As waters warm and alligator gar fishing heats up this summer, TPWD is working with anglers, who play a key role in conservation efforts through proper catch-and-release practices. “Catch-and-release fishing for alligator gar has become quite […]
TPWD Cautions: Don’t Handle Wildlife, Especially Babies
Spring has sprung. With extended sunshine and milder days, more people are enjoying the outdoors as native wildlife adds new fawns and hatchlings to their broods. Texans may start to notice more wildlife in their backyard, neighborhood or surrounding areas. The best thing to do is to leave them alone. Birds, rabbits, deer and snakes become more active this time of year; their young can be mistaken as abandoned. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) […]
First Texas Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Mammals
The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed this week the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a striped skunk recovered from Carson County. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in mammals for Texas. Detected in all states across the U.S. except Hawaii, HPAI is a highly contagious virus that transmits easily among wild and domestic birds. The virus can spread directly between animals and indirectly through environmental contamination. For mammals, current data shows transmission occurs primarily through […]
Biologists Stress Testing Harvests for Chronic Wasting Disease During Deer Season
With the recent discovery of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Kaufman County, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists are stressing the importance of testing harvested deer taken this hunting season to curb the spread of this deadly disease. CWD is a highly contagious and fatal neurological disease affecting members of the deer family such as white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. Hunters and landowners can voluntarily submit their harvest for free CWD testing […]
Texas’ Seventh Annual Pollinator BioBlitz is the Bee’s Knees!
For the next two weeks Texans can take part in the seventh annual Texas Pollinator BioBlitz. In support of the event, organizations and sites around the state will be hosting a variety of events to get people outdoors to observe pollinators of all types in yards, natural areas, gardens, parks and community centers. Of course, you don’t have to visit a particular site to participate; your very own yard or green space will do. The […]
Biologists Predict Moderate Hunting Conditions Ahead of White-Tailed Deer Archery-Only Season Opener
With drought affecting most of the state over the summer, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists foresee a moderate season for hunters this fall. “Overall, 2022 year is expected to be good in terms of harvest numbers and opportunities, so don’t let the chance to spend time afield with family, friends and fellow hunters pass you by,” said Alan Cain, White-Tailed Deer Program Leader for TPWD. “Texas has one of the longest deer seasons […]
Lake Walter E. Long “Fully Infested” with Zebra Mussels
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has designated Lake Walter E. Long in Travis County as “infested” with zebra mussels, signifying an established, reproducing population in the lake. Walter E. Long had already received a “positive” designation following the repeated detection of zebra mussel larvae in October 2018 and May 2019. However, subsequent searches for settled mussels conducted as recently as 2021 did not detect any juveniles or adults. In early August of this […]
Conditions Heating up for Dove Season
Texans are used to scorching summers, but this year’s record highs across much of the state have left many dove hunters wondering about the upcoming season opener. “Unless conditions change drastically over the next few weeks, hunting near water will be key for opening day this year,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD Dove Program Leader. “Hunters will likely see larger concentrations of birds at watering holes and food sources than they have in the past due […]
Texas Game Wardens Wrap up Another Busy July Fourth Weekend of Statewide Enforcement
AUSTIN— As Texans hit the waterways across the state to recognize July Fourth, Texas Game Wardens were out in force to ensure everyone stayed safe on the water. “Texas Game Wardens partnered with thousands of law enforcement agencies across the country for Operation Dry Water to focus on impacts of alcohol on boaters during high-traffic weekends like July 4th,” said Cody Jones, Assistant Commander for Marine Enforcement with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “These […]