For more than thirty years, the Texas Artificial Reef program has generally run silent and deep – deep in its positive impact on marine ecosystems, recreational fishing and diving and coastal economies, silent because it’s probably largely unknown to most people. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department scientists hope that will change soon with a major website overhaul and new Facebook page.
CORPUS CHRISTI – Park Superintendent Damon Reeves announced today that Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff plans to conduct a prescribed burn at Mustang Island State Park during February or March. The burn is expected to be conducted and completed in two to three days.
WASHINGTON, Texas – An exhibit showcasing the works of a 19th century Paris-born painter and draftsman who chronicled early Texas life and its indigenous cultures will open on March 2 as part of the kickoff of the annual Texas Independence Day celebration.
LAKE JACKSON — Sea Center Texas will host its 8th annual Nature Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 23, and the public is invited to join in the free festivities and help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the 30th anniversary of TPWD Coastal Fish Hatcheries, and Sea Center’s 17th anniversary.
AUSTIN – In a stunning move Feb. 8, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voted to recommend an emergency rule that could shorten the recreational red snapper fishing season in federal waters off the Texas coast to as little as 11 days from the planned 27 day season.
ATHENS—Falcon International Reservoir joined the Toyota ShareLunker action on Thursday, February 7, with a 13.4-pound entry into the ShareLunker program.
ATHENS—Fly Fish Texas returns to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center March 9 with the goal of teaching visitors to tie a fly, cast a fly and catch a fish with it all in one day.
AUSTIN – Nearly 300 tissue samples were collected from hunter harvested mule deer from the Trans Pecos ecoregion of far West Texas during the 2012-13 season for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) have confirmed CWD in four of those samples. All CWD-positive deer were harvested within the CWD Containment Zone.
AUSTIN – Grab your binoculars and birding guides and get ready for fun at the 17th annual Great Texas Birding Classic. This year’s event will feature a number of firsts that will make it the biggest, longest and wildest birdwatching tournament in the nation.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.