Starting Sept. 1, changes to saltwater fishing regulations will take effect for the 2023-24 license year. Changes include the required use of specialized devices on reef fish exhibiting signs of barotrauma, returning to previous bag and size limits for spotted seatrout on the coast, lowering the bag limit for cobia and adding shortfin mako sharks to the list of prohibited species. Texas regulations now require all commercial and recreational anglers to use a venting tool […]
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Governor Names Jeff Hildebrand as Chairman, Appoints William Doggett to TPW Commission
Governor Greg Abbott named Jeff Hildebrand Chair of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Thursday and appointed William “Leslie” Doggett as a commission member. Both appointments are effective Aug. 31, with Doggett’s term set to expire Feb. 1, 2029. “Chairman Aplin has been a devoted steward of our agency and its mission to preserve the wild things and wild places of Texas,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. “I thank him […]
Houston Game Wardens Receive Top Law Enforcement Award
Harris County Game Wardens, K-9 and Critical Incident Teams were recognized by the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission during Thursday’s meeting for contributions across the state. Houston Game Wardens Receive Top Law Enforcement Award Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recognized Houston-area game wardens nominated by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office for the 2021 Mothers Against Drunk Driving Outstanding Law Enforcement Award. The honor follows an increase of cases filed for driving and boating […]
TPWD Recommends Necessary Precautions to Reduce Spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Recently, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard poultry flock in Dallas County. As expected by disease experts, HPAI is again circulating amongst wild birds in Texas as fall migration has begun for waterbirds and waterfowl. Earlier this year, HPAI was discovered in a bald eagle and a horned owl in Texas. HPAI has been detected in 46 states across the country and is […]
Special Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Meeting on Selection of a New Executive Director
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will hold a special meeting on selection of a new executive director to lead the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). TPWD opened applications in April for a successor to retiring Executive Director Carter Smith. The search committee has completed the recruiting and interview process and will present its findings and recommendations to the full Commission for consideration. What: Special Meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission When: […]
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Awards $4.8 Million in Recreational Trail Grants to Texas Communities
AUSTIN— During Thursday’s meeting, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved more than $4.8 million dollars in grants funding 17 motorized and non-motorized recreational trail-related projects across the state. One million dollars of the amount allocated today came directly from state Sporting Good Sales Tax funds dedicated to the Recreational Trails Program through a rider passed by the 82nd Legislature. The rider increased the total amount of funded projects this year. The National Recreational Trails […]
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Approves Hunting Regulations Changes for 2022-23
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved hunting regulations for the 2022-23 season at its public meeting held March 24 in Austin. Commissioners adopted the following modifications and clarifications to the 2022-23 Statewide Hunting Proclamation: Establish mandatory buck and antlerless white-tailed deer harvest reporting in Collin, Dallas, Grayson and Rockwall counties during white-tailed deer season. Modify the definitions of “buck deer” and “antlerless deer.” Modify the proof of sex requirements for harvested buck deer. Create […]
TPW Commission Approves Changes to Freshwater Fishing Regulations for 2022-23
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted multiple changes to the freshwater fishing regulations for the upcoming 2022-2023 season at the meeting held March 24. Defining reservoir boundaries and modified harvest regulations on designated waterbodies highlight this year’s list of changes. The changes also include modifications on Red River tributaries to prevent the transfer of invasive carp, largemouth bass harvest regulations correction, clarification of striped bass species information and Sam Rayburn Reservoir county designation. “Our […]
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Awards $12.5 Million in Local Park Grants to Texas Communities
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved more than $12.5 million in grants to help create and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities. The competitive grants are allocated to local government entities on a 50/50 reimbursement match basis, and once funded, the sites must remain parkland in perpetuity, properly maintained and open to the public. This will result in more nature trails, native gardens, playgrounds, splash pads, dog parks and sports fields at 26 community parks statewide. […]
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Approves Hunting Regulations Changes for 2021-22
Hunting regulations for the 2021-22 season were approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its public meeting held online March 25. Hunters will see some changes this fall, including the elimination of the experimental pronghorn season in the northern Panhandle and extension of the general pronghorn season from 9 to 16 days statewide, and the addition of two days of hunting opportunity in the Special White-winged Dove Days within the South Dove Zone. […]