Texas Hunting Leases

 AUSTIN – Expansion of mule deer hunting opportunities tops a short list of proposed changes to the state’s hunting and fishing regulations the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is considering for 2010-2011.

TPWD is recommending an open general season for mule deer in Dawson and Wheeler counties, and adding a day to the season across the Trans Pecos region. Department staff presented the proposals to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission Regulations Committee. The proposals address a priority goal in TPWD’s Land and Water Resource Conservation and Recreation Plan to increase access to and participation in the outdoors.

Currently there is no open season for mule deer in Dawson or Wheeler counties. Implementing a nine-day, buck-only season in Dawson County and a 16-day, buck-only season in Wheeler County would offer increased hunter opportunity without adversely impacting mule deer reproduction or distribution.

According to TPWD wildlife biologists, mule deer populations in these counties are limited, but are present in some areas having suitable habitat and implementation of a buck-only season will not have any measurable impact on herd productivity or expansion.

Traditionally, big game hunting seasons in Texas open on Saturday to give hunters a full weekend of opportunity. Because the mule deer season in the Trans Pecos starts on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the TPW Commission asked the Wildlife Division to explore an option to open a day earlier to take advantage of the long holiday weekend. This proposal would add a day to the current 16-day season and create an opening day on the Friday following Thanksgiving each year.

Wildlife biologists suggest adding a day to the season in the Trans Pecos will not negatively impact the mule deer resource.

In addition to hunting regulation proposals, TPWD staff presented an abbreviated slate of potential changes to fishing regulations and, based on input during recent public scoping meetings, removed from consideration a proposal to lower the length limit on snook from 24 to 22 inches.

The department had considered the drop in length limit on snook to allow additional harvest of fat snook. Opinions expressed during scoping meetings reflected concern about potential impacts to common snook resources under reduced length limits and TPWD coastal fisheries officials opted to table the recommendation.

Fisheries staff will be seeking public comment on proposals strengthening commercial reporting requirements and separating commercial and recreational regulations, as well as a clarification of rules regarding catching and possessing fish within protected length limits or in excess of bag limits.

Official proposals will be available for review and comment during a series of public meetings in February, as well as online. The TPW Commission will make final determination on proposed changes at its April 1 public hearing.

SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS
2010-11 STATEWIDE HUNTING AND FISHING PROCLAMATION
ALL MEETINGS START AT 7 PM

Feb. 15
San Antonio, National Shooting Sports Complex Clubhouse, 5931 Roft Rd.
Houston, Lone Star College, Library Room LB 103, 2700 W.W. Thorne Dr.

Feb. 16
Dickinson, TPWD Dickinson Marine Lab, 1502 Pine St. (FM 517).
Lamesa, Women’s Building, South Houston St.

Feb. 17
Amarillo, Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension Center, 6500 Amarillo Blvd West.

Feb. 18
Port Isabel, Port Isabel Community Center, 213 Yturria.

Feb. 22
Garland, Bass Pro Shop, 5001 Bass Pro Dr.

Feb. 23
Tyler, Smith County Courthouse, 100 N. Broadway.
Corpus Christi, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Natural Resources Center, 6300 Ocean Drive, Room 1003.

Feb. 24
Wheeler, Wheeler County Courthouse, Commissioners Courtroom, 401 Main St.

Mar. 2
Fort Stockton, Pecos County Civic Center, North Hwy 285 next to Airport.

Mar. 3
Alpine, Turner Range Animal Science Bldg, Room 130, East Hwy 90.

Mar. 4
Van Horn, Van Horn Convention Center & Visitors Bureau, 1801 W. Broadway.

Texas hunters usually keep the roads hot between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. And because many hunt hours away from home, they take advantage of being in the area by looking to upgrade or change hunting leases.

Starting in late December and on into January, LeaseHunter.com sees a significant increase in web traffic and lease inquiries. Land owners also begin looking to replace hunters who are moving on at this time as well. Being prepared early is the key to getting on a better lease for next year.

The are several reasons for starting your search now. First, you are already in the area that you hunt so you may as well know what is available for next year. Second, if you secure a lease early, you only have to relocate your camp and equipment once. This is much better than moving it back home into storage while you look over the summer months. Finally, the “early bird usually catches the worm” when it comes to finding good hunting leases. Let other land owners know you are looking and even other hunting groups who may need to fill an empty spot.

Some things to consider when searching are, of course, location, access, land owner rules and terms. Make sure you know the county in which you hunt and check with your local Game Warden to ask about game laws (current and proposed) in that county. You should always have a written agreement between you and the land owner that spells out each other’s expectations. Our Hunter Resources page can provide you with interesting links that you can read to help you get started.

Getting your game plan in order now can go a long way in saving you time and money. Not to mention getting on a great lease for next year. The next lease of a life time is out there for those who do their homework and start early.

Growing up in Texas does not mean that you frequent every part of the state on a regular basis, or even in your lifetime.  I, for one, have not really seen much of West Texas – except from the window of a commercial jet.  But even from that vantage point 30,000 feet in the air, it is amazing to see all of the pad sites with well-heads and pump-jacks dotting the landscape below.

I have not researched it, but I am sure there was some opposition to the incursion of the oil and gas industry’s equipment upon the ranch lands there.  Questions almost surely arose about the effects on the cattle industry and the degradation of the vast vistas the area is known for.  All of that must have quickly subsided when the first checks came in the mail box.  And, I am sure it will again when the next century of energy production covers this land in the form of wind turbines.

According to the American Wind Energy Association, Texas is is ranked #1 in the the USA by existing capacity and #2 for potential capacity.  This should come as no surprise since Texas has large land areas and coast lines which are perfect for the construction of wind farms.

But, like most fledgling industries, there will be growing pains and conflict.  A recently planned wind farm in the hill country was met with strong opposition.  An article online in the San Antonio Express-News reported that many residents were shocked that an energy company obtained leases to build here with very little oversight from governmental agencies.  The group later found out that there is little or no state or federal oversight governing wind farms.  And many observe that you don’t even need wind to make them profitable due to the tax breaks and write-offs earned just by building them.

Hunters are not immune either.  There is concern that the income from wind farms will provide more incentives to land owners than the dollars earned from hunting leases.  This, in turn, will limit access.  Some wind energy contracts signed by land owners limit the use of hunting with rifles and hunters are beginning to loose their leases.  Although no one is successfully arguing that these 100 meter monstrosities will harm wild game populations, hunters have reason to be concerned.  In the meantime, the US Fish & Wildlife Service has also issued a press release naming 22 individuals to serve on an advisory committee who will advise on measures to avoid or minimize the impacts to wildlife and their habitats from land-based wind energy facilities.

On the other hand, industry officials say that they are not anti-hunting and that most leases have full hunting privileges.  And, for land owners who have low incomes from their land operations, this is a way to increase income and hopefully retain larger ranches within the family by not having to sell. 

As the energy capital of the world, Texas will need to be a leader in taking the world’s demand for energy in a different direction.  Open ranges and the wind that blows over them are two things we have plenty of and are arguably endless resources as compared to fossil fuels.  Hopefully, the two learning to live together will fight off the biggest threat to hunting in general - population growth and urban encroachment.