Texas hunting regulations continually are altered and usually expanded to fit biological and access objectives set forth by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department hunting program leaders and biologists, and the proposals currently being considered for 2019-20 are no different.
Unlike in previous seasons, there aren’t any radical or sweeping changes to the opportunities currently available to residents and nonresidents who purchase a hunting license.
Here’s a glimpse at the hunting proposals that you currently can offer public comment on in advance of the TPWD Commission public hearing March 20 in Austin, where the proposals could be adopted. In addition there’s insight offered from the Texas Outdoor Digest on what it could mean.
- Refusal of program participation in Managed Lands Deer Programs (MLDP) for non-compliant properties in areas where chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing is required for all harvested deer. Note: (The voluntary MLDP program offers expanded whitetail opportunities for ranches that include longer frameworks for harvest and more tags, provided those ranches abide by the proper documentation, including keeping logs of kills and submitting paperwork in a timely manner to TPWD. The program is designed to help TPWD biologists adequately assess deer populations and monitor conservation initiatives).
- A four-day antlerless deer season in 21 counties in south central Texas. Counties being considered include: Austin, Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Dewitt, Fayette, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes, Lavaca, Lee, Waller, Washington, and Wilson. In addition to these counties, Goliad, Jackson, Victoria, and Wharton counties north of U.S. Highway 59 and Comal, Hays, and Travis east of IH-35 would also be included. Note: (The Texas deer population continues to expand in many locales, especially the areas between Houston and the Gulf Coast. TPWD continually monitors whitetail populations and uses surveys designed to not only gauge the overall figure, but also to monitor it and provide for added hunting opportunities, where applicable).
- Expansion of “doe days” in 20 counties from four to 16 days. Counties being considered include: Bell (east of IH 35), Burleson, Delta, Ellis, Falls, Fannin, Franklin, Freestone, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Limestone, Milam, Navarro, Rains, Smith, Titus, Van Zandt, Williamson (east of IH 35), and Wood. Note: (As with the above areas in the Post Oak Savannah, there is an increasing deer figure in these conties in Central Texas and into East Texas. Taking more does off the range not only reduces the overall population figure, which can improve range conditions, but also improves the buck-to-doe ratio that can help improve antler quality and improve body quality).
- An experimental 20-inch minimum antler spread restriction regulation in Lynn County.
- A new season for javelina in six counties in the South Plains, to include: Borden, Dawson, Gaines, Hardeman, Scurry and Terry counties. Note: (Believe it or not, javelinas exist outside South Texas, even up into the Rolling Plains. This expanded season would allow hunters to take advantage of what TPWD deems a viable population).
- Clarification that proof of sex is required for turkeys taken during seasons when the bag limit is gobblers only or gobblers and bearded hens (i.e., not either sex), and that it can remain attached to the harvested bird or accompany the harvested bird.
- Establish seasons and bag limits for migratory game birds for 2019-2020.
There are multiple ways to offer public comment. The easiest is to provide your input into hunting regulations changes online.
