Texas Hunting Leases

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) – While recently introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate would protect sportsmen from a possible ban on traditional ammunition and fishing tackle, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced legislation squarely targeting America’s sportsmen by doing the opposite.

U.S. Representative Bobby Rush, (D- ILL), known for introducing anti-gun legislation such as H.R. 45 (Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act), has introduced new legislation that would open the door to ban all traditional ammunition.  House Resolution 5820 would amend the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976 (TSCA) by removing the exemption included in the law for traditional ammunition.  It was that specific exemption that forced the EPA to deny the ammunition portion of a petition filed by several groups seeking to ban both traditional ammunition and fishing tackle. 

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) and other groups have repeatedly pointed out that scientific evidence connecting lead ammunition to the harm of most animal populations is inconclusive.  However, there are real concerns that forcing sportsmen to purchase higher cost, non-lead ammunition will decrease the number of days spent in the field as it prices many out of the market.  In turn, this will reduce the funding available for conservation efforts, as much of those dollars are from the taxes paid by sportsmen when they purchase firearms, ammunition and other hunting equipment.

“Legislation like 5820 will only serve to reduce conservation funding at a time where every available resource is precious,” said Rob Sexton, USSA vice president for government affairs.   

Numerous organizations, such as the National Shooting Sports Foundation, have already voiced their opposition to this bill. 

Take Action! Sportsmen should contact their U.S. Representatives immediately and ask that they oppose H.R. 5820.   Tell them that a ban on traditional ammunition will hurt conservation efforts by reducing funds due to pricing sportsmen out of the market.

To find your Representative’s contact information, please visit www.ussportsmen.org/LAC.

SAN ANTONIO – The stage is set for what could be one of the better waterfowl hunting seasons in recent years and Texas hunters will be able to take full advantage with a 74-day season and six bird daily bag limit. The 2010-11 late season migratory proposal was finalized by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its Aug. 26 public meeting.

“Texas has water on the ground and when you factor in predictions for an early winter in the north, we’re set up for a good season,” said Dave Morrison, TPWD waterfowl program leader. “There’s going to be a lot of production out of the Dakotas this year because of wet conditions and good habitat and I expect we’ll see more birds migrating from and through the Central Flyway.”

With a 9 percent jump in pintail breeding population estimates this year comes an increase in the daily bag limit to two, which should be a welcome addition for coastal waterfowlers that have been hunting under more restrictive measures for more than a decade.

The only other significant change from last year will see an increase in the Canada good bag limit for the Western Goose Zone where hunters may now take up to five Canada geese daily.

Texas also received a 16-day early teal season to run Sept. 11-26 with a daily bag limit of four birds.

Here is a summary of the Texas late season migratory framework for 2010-11.

You know when it is getting close.  There just seems to be both subliminal and overt markers that tell a hunter’s inner clock to start thinking about it.  Dove Season.  In Texas it is the annual kick-off of all good things to come in the outdoors each Fall.  It is first before horns and most wings can be harvested and is an annual pilgrimage for many Texans each year.  The obvious signs that the season is near include walking through your local sporting good store and seeing camo buckets, dove loads and light-weight camouflage clothing.  Or, noticing a few more 20 gauges, and shooters, around the gun range working a clays course.  Subliminally, the heat of August makes one look forward to the cool of Fall.  And the hunter finds him or herself pulling out camouflage apparel from the back of the closet to take stock in one’s needs before the first cold front arrive.

For 2010, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has released their dates for this year’s wing-shooting primer.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SRC (Service Regulation Committee) has approved the 2010-2011 Texas dove season, including a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag statewide.  Texas dove season in the North and Central Dove Zones will run from Wednesday, Sept. 1 through Sunday, Oct. 24 and reopen Saturday, Dec. 25 through Sunday, Jan. 9, with a 15-bird daily bag and not more than two white-tipped doves.  The South Zone dove season will run Friday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Oct. 31, reopening Saturday, Dec. 25 through Tuesday, Jan. 18 with a 15-bird daily bag and not more than two white-tipped doves.  Possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.

The Special  White-winged Dove Area will open to white-winged dove afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting the first two full weekends in September running from Sept. 4-5 and 11-12 and reopen when the regular South Zone season begins on Friday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Oct. 31 and again from Saturday, Dec. 25 through Friday, Jan. 14. The Special White-winged Dove Area season takes four of the allowable 70 days, so when the regular season opens, this area must close four days earlier than the rest of the South Zone. During the early two weekends, the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than four mourning doves and 2 white-tipped doves. Once the general season opens, the aggregate bag limit will be 15.

Because Dove season begins essentially in hottest time of the year and is the first hunting season to partake in, special preparations should be taken before packing up and heading out. Among the obvious at this time of year is getting an early start on your hunting license.  Knowing your hunting zones and regulations is also a must. For the heat, make sure that you are prepared to keep cool and hydrated.  And finally, make sure you have done your homework on your Dove Species and hunting lease or outfitter.

2010 Texas Dove Hunting Leases

Dove hunting opportunities are abundant throughout Texas.  Private land leases and public hunting are readily available.  Texas Parks and Wildlife offers approximately 140 locations to hunt dove to hunters who purchase an Annual Public Hunting Permit.  Doing some homework by calling around and getting prices, types of hunting terrain and amenities is a good idea.  With this season’s bag limits up to 15 birds this year, you can certainly get a full day’s shooting.  Finally, after a great hunt, enjoy your dove with a good beverage and a few of your favorite fixins’. The little bird is a favorite on the grill, the frying pan and even in the casserole dish. Good Hunting!