Texas Hunting Leases

Below is the report from the TP&W for  December 2, 2008.

Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.

High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Goose hunting has been better with the cooler temperatures. Lots of Canadas have been decoying, but many of the concentrations are spread throughout the region due to the abundance of water. Some days snow geese work, and some days they do not. There are lots of juveniles in the flock which has helped put more white in the bag this year. Sandhill cranes have decoyed well when the wind blows. Best hunts have been in plowed ground and corn. Outfitters report lots of ducks on playas, but with the abundance of water, ducks have many places to go. Hunters are hoping for colder weather that freezes these shallow playas and congregates the ducks on open water. Waterfowl hunting will really turn on when the first freeze or snow falls. Pheasant season opens Dec. 6 and roadside reports indicate a good population of birds. Prospects are good.

North Zone Duck: The first split ended at sunset Nov. 30 and generally the first 30 days of the season were fair at best. Many hunters in traditional mallard counties did not see many greenheads. Mild conditions in Texas and the northern states played a major role in the absence of the prized duck. Gadwalls and wood ducks were the most prevalent birds harvested on lakes and reservoirs. The region could use some rain to fill sloughs and backwaters. Divers like scaup and ringed-necks were taken on deep water on Caddo Lake, Lake Oʼthe Pines and Toledo Bend. Canvasbacks are building on Toledo Bend and Lake OʼThe Pines. Lake Palestine was good for gadwalls. Hunting slowed along inland ponds around the coast. The season began fair then slowed to almost a halt as mild temperatures did not prompt birds to migrate. Lots of blue-winged teal still showing which echoes the warm weather notion. The second split opens Dec. 13*.

South Zone Duck: Duck hunting along the coast did improve during the last weekend of the first split. What had been a lackluster Thanksgiving week, picked up steam with stiff north winds. The ardent winds seemed to disperse wads of bluewings and greenwings, which helped marsh hunters and prairie hunters. The most consistent hunting during the first 30 days occurred in Wharton County near Wharton and East Bernard. Outfitters said hunter numbers were down by approximately 30 percent on the coastal prairie. Hunters near Port OʼConnor and Rockport saw fair hunting. Many outfitters say bird numbers are down. Redheads, wigeons, gadwalls and pintails were the species most harvested. Inland ponds in Calhoun County faired better as of late. Goose hunters have enjoyed steady shooting for snows and specklebellies. A strong hatch of juvenile snows has helped decoying action tremendously. Specklebellies have been a given for experienced goose hunters, but their attitude has become a bit wary as of late. A few Canada geese are beginning to show, but donʼt expect them in force until a significant cold front pushes through. Most of the geese are feeding in fresh-cut rice fields. There are still some fields that are being harvested, which is much later than in years past. The second split of duck season opens Dec. 13.

Below is the latest report on quail populations and observations as conducted by the TPW Department.  The LeaseHunter website has various links and information on quail hunting and quail hunting leases on the website.  For more interesting articles and links, see our resource page and scroll down to the quail section.

AUSTIN, Texas — Late quail production due to dry and hot range conditions has set the stage for an average hunting season, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists.

The statewide quail season runs Oct. 25-Feb. 22. The daily bag limit is 15, with 45 in possession. Legal shooting hours for all non-migratory game birds are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The bag limit is the maximum number that may be killed during the legal shooting hours in one day.

“For South Texas, production came late and history tells us when you get these late hatches, they tend to be less productive so right out of the box we’re going to have less birds,” said Robert Perez, TPWD upland game bird program director. “I would encourage hunters to go early in the season, as soon as hunting conditions are favorable for dog work.”

About this time a year ago, most of the Texas quail country was lush with vegetation after great late summer rains, but the winter that followed was one of the driest on record.

“The quail season was about average and there were plenty of birds surviving into late winter,” Perez noted. “But the lack of moisture, combined with heavy ground cover, may have made it difficult for bobs to find late winter and early spring greens; a very important part of the diet. Hunters reported difficulty finding birds in their usual haunts.”

Because quail production is “density dependent” as birds are striving to recover from hard times in recent years, Perez noted hens typically will make as many nesting attempts as conditions allow until they are successful or run out of time.

This year, most of the state experienced a dry summer with above-normal summer temperatures. For these reasons quail production was spotty in some areas as evidenced by reports of differing size classes of chicks observed by biologists during the summer census survey.

Statewide surveys were initiated in 1978 to monitor quail populations. This index uses randomly selected, 20-mile roadside survey lines to determine annual quail population trends by ecological region. This trend information helps determine relative quail populations among the regions of Texas.

Comparisons can be made between the mean (average) number of quail observed per route this year and the long term mean (LTM) for quail seen within an ecological region. The quail survey was not designed to predict relative abundance for any area smaller than the ecological region.

Below is a summary of quail production around the state, based on annual census surveys conducted by TPWD and what hunters can expect to find this season.

Rolling Plains

This region was not as dry this past winter as some other areas of the state and scattered spring and summer rains resulted in some early production but the bulk of the reproductive effort appears to have been later in the summer. Field reports indicate differing size classes of chicks with plenty of late hatching.

Survey results and field staff observations predict a slightly below-average to average year. Due to the variation in weather conditions across this region it’s a good idea to scout ahead to be sure hunting areas are holding birds.

The average number of bobwhites observed per route was 18.7 compared to 21 last year. This is slightly below the LTM of 22.5. Despite perceived low carry-over through the winter, enough young birds have been produced to offer good bobwhite hunter opportunity, especially in areas under proper range management. Public hunting opportunities can be found at the Matador and the Gene Howe Wildlife Management Areas.

Panhandle

The survival rate for adult quail appears to have been good to excellent during the mild winter in 2007-08, according to Danny Swepston, TPWD wildlife district leader in Amarillo. The spring of 2008 was generally hot and dry through the major nesting and brooding rearing months, however recent reports for pheasants, quail and turkeys from staff and landowners are encouraging. Swepston predicts a fair to good season for these birds.

South Texas Plains

For South Texas, surveys predict a below-average year, but at the time biologists ran these routes the bulk of hatching had no yet occurred. There will likely be a whole lot of small birds at the beginning of the season and plenty of hunter opportunity.

Unfortunately spring rains were lacking over most of the range, which delayed nesting attempts by those birds that survived the winter. Quail are very adaptable when it comes to timing of the nesting season and can wait until the rains come, even if it’s late in the summer. And that’s exactly what happened in South Texas. July rains spurred pairing and nesting and September field reports indicate broods of small chicks.

“We had an extremely dry year, with some rains last September, but less than we normally receive, and then essentially little or no rain until this past July. During July, we received about eight inches the first half of the month, and then received up to a foot of rainfall with Hurricane Dolly,” said Stephen Benn, area manager at the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area. “The good news is that we were coming off an extremely wet 2007, so habitat was in excellent condition going into the drought period, and has, of course, rebounded.”

The average number of bobwhites observed per route was 6.6 compared to 7 last year. This is well below the LTM of 19.4 and is predictive of a below-average hunting season. However, this is likely an underestimate due to late hatching. The Chaparral and the Daughtrey Wildlife Management Areas provide public quail hunting opportunities.

Trans-Pecos

The Trans-Pecos ecological region of Texas has experienced above-average populations of scaled (blue) quail for the past five years. Unfortunately, this year’s survey shows a dramatic decrease in birds observed. Low numbers have also been confirmed by field reports. Spring-summer breeding conditions were not favorable for scaled quail. Reports from the western edge of the Edwards Plateau (the Stockton Plateau) indicate slightly better production.

“Most of the Trans-Pecos suffered an extended drought that lasted through last winter, spring, and half of this summer,” said Tim Bone, TPWD wildlife biologist in Alpine.  “Only since July have good, wide-spread rains come to the Trans-Pecos.  Currently range conditions over most of the district are very good.”

The average number of scaled quail observed per route was 6.7 compared to 28 last year. This is well below the LTM of 18. Public hunter opportunities can be found at Elephant Mountain and Black Gap Wildlife Management Areas.

Gulf Prairies

TPWD surveys indicate bobwhite numbers in the Gulf Prairies are up considerably from last year. Hunters should focus on the central and lower coast in native prairie habitats.

“The dry spring actually benefits quail and turkey in most of my country,” offered David Forrester, TPWD wildlife district biologist in LaGrange. “This spring saw good turkey production and quail production seemed to be good also.  Those places with good quail numbers and habitat should have good hunting opportunities.”

Cross Timbers/Edwards Plateau

The Cross Timbers and Edwards Plateau are below their respective LTM’s. Although there are certainly areas within each region where some quail hunting opportunity remains, this survey is not designed to detect changes in localized populations, especially in fragmented landscapes.

Access to hunting on TPWD managed public land is available with the purchase of a $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit, which can be bought wherever hunting licenses are sold, online or by calling toll free (800) 895-4248. There is a $5 convenience fee for online and phone purchases.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department finalized the early season migratory game bird regulations, which includes dove and teal seasons for 2008-09. Texas hunters will see a 16-day September teal season and no changes to the South Dove Zone segments.

The North Zone runs Sept. 1-Oct. 30, with a 15-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped dove; the Central Zone is Sept. 1-Oct. 30 and reopens Dec. 26-Jan. 4, with a 12-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped dove. Possession limit is twice the daily bag.

This year, the South Zone dove season is Sept. 20-Nov. 9, reopening Dec. 26-Jan. 13 with a 12 bird bag and not more than two white-tipped dove. Possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.

The Special White-winged Dove Area, which now encompasses land west of I-35 and south of U. S. Highway 90, opens to white-winged dove afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting Sept. 6-7 and 13-14 and reopens Sept. 20-Nov. 9 and again from Dec. 26-Jan. 9. The daily bag limit during the first two weekend splits is 12 birds, not more than four (4) mourning dove and two (2) white-tipped dove. The daily bag limit during the remainder of the Special White-winged Dove Area is 12 birds, not more than two (2) white-tipped dove. Possession limit is twice the daily bag.

Teal season is Sept. 13-28 with a daily bag limit of 4 birds. Possession limit is twice the daily bag.

Hunters should note the dove and teal season dates and bag limits are not included in this year’s Outdoor Annual of hunting and fishing regulations. Information will be available in the Early Season Migratory Game Bird Digest supplement, available Aug. 15 on the TPWD Web site and wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

A proposed dove season rule that would have removed one week of hunting opportunity from the end of the first season segment in the South Zone and added it to the end of the second season segment was not approved. Although public comment was supportive of the proposed amendment, the department has decided to retain the traditional structure because of other considerations resulting from public comment.

“Public comment received by the department indicates a growing concern among hunters, landowners, outfitters, and local businesses that economic factors are increasingly affecting hunting habits or will affect them in the future,” said Mike Berger, TPWD wildlife director. “The department therefore made the decision to leave the traditional season structure in place for the current year while launching an outreach effort to determine if the traditional and historic dove season structure should be altered for future seasons.”

In keeping with hunter and landowner preferences, dove seasons have traditionally been opened on the earliest day legally allowed under frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, irrespective of which day of the week the date fell. Under federal law, dove hunting in the United States cannot begin before Sept. 1.

Sept. 1, as opening day of dove hunting in Texas, has been part of the state’s hunting tradition ever since the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 was signed. Treaties with Canada and Mexico established the framework for the taking of all migratory game birds, including dove.

“This year, Sept. 1 falls on Labor Day, a Monday, which is a good thing because it’s a holiday for many Texans, and like having another Saturday,” said Vernon Bevill, TPWD game bird program director. “The bad thing is, the next day isn’t Sunday, it’s back to work Tuesday.”

Similarly, this year’s South Zone dove season opener falls on Saturday, Sept. 20. Traditionally, dove season in South Texas has opened on the Friday after the 20th unless the 20th is a Saturday. Federal frameworks currently prevent opening the South Zone before the 20th.

Berger said recent public comment received by the department indicates a strong preference for seasons to open on a Friday, so as to create a three-day hunting opportunity to open the season. Recent public comment also indicates a preference for the 60-day/15-bird configuration in the South Zone.

“A recurrent theme was the concern that increased consumer costs, particularly transportation costs related to energy prices, make anything less than a three-day opening weekend economically unjustifiable,” said Berger. “Similarly, proponents of the 60-day/15-bird configuration stated that economic considerations would cause them to curtail the number of times they could go hunting, leading them to prefer a higher daily bag limit. In the past, hunters and others have expressed an aversion to delaying the opening day until the first full weekend, preferring the earliest possible opener.”

Hunters looking for a place to hunt dove should consider TPWD’s public hunting opportunities. According to Linda Campbell, TPWD public hunting program director, the department manages more than 50,000 acres of dove hunting units. Hunting access to these areas is available with purchase of a $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit, available Aug. 15 wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

A map booklet detailing locations and additional information about the 143 public dove hunting units is included with the Annual Public Hunting Permit and will be available on the TPWD Web site beginning Aug. 15. A permit is not required to access the map booklet information online.

TPWD dove program coordinator Jay Roberson anticipates an above average hunting season for doves this fall, based on habitat conditions. “We had a pretty dry spring and doves do well in those conditions,” he noted. “The birds weren’t responding last year to predictions of good food availability and many doves stayed to the north. I’m guardedly optimistic this year.”

Roberson reported hearing of good numbers of doves across South Texas and anticipates hunters should have good success if they can identify flight patterns. Conditions are expected to change in the weeks heading into the season, particularly in the wake of recent weather resulting from Hurricane Dolly.