Go-To Tips for Dove Hunting It’s almost dove season here in Texas and there is nothing more fun than a good dove hunt. However, a lack of preparedness can mess up a good dove hunt before it event starts. In this article, we offer up 17 tips for dove hunting in Texas.  Yep, we got you! Texas is home to seven species of native doves and pigeons, including the three legal game species- mourning, white-winged and white-tipped doves. Texas accounts for 30 percent of the total mourning doves and 85 percent of the total white-winged doves harvested in the U.S. each year, far more than any other ..read more

Fence to Keep Hogs Out & Off Land Feral hogs are a real nuisance for landowners in Texas and beyond. However, landowners can fence to keep hogs out of areas and off of their land. Fencing can work when done correctly. Feral hogs are a non-native species and considered one of the most destructive invasive terrestrial vertebrates in North America, so it must be done right in order to work. Wild hogs cause substantial damage to agricultural operations, natural resources, and native ecosystems. They also have negative impacts on human and animal health. Feral pigs cost landowners direct and in ..read more

Chronic Wasting Disease in Texas Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was found in Texas in 2012 and has been spreading within the state since that time. CWD is a neurological disease in deer, elk, moose and other members of the deer family, known as “cervids.” The disease was first recognized in 1967 in captive mule deer in Colorado, and has since been documented in captive and free-ranging deer in 21 states and two Canadian Provinces. This disease presents numerous challenges for state wildlife agencies across North America. Of concern is the potential for decline within deer, elk, or other suscept ..read more

CWD in Kaufman County! It looks like CWD in Kaufman County has become a reality. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was detected on a high fence release site in Kaufman County. This is the first positive detection of CWD in a white-tailed deer in the county. The buck, harvested at a high-fence release site located in a CWD Surveillance Zone, was delivered to a Hunt County CWD check station in compliance with surveillance zone requirements. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) received notice of the CWD-positive test result from the Texas A&M Veter ..read more

Forecasting Quail The prior was a good one for quail, but the Texas Quail Forecast 2022 is not as bright. Unfortunately, it was hot and dry and not want quail or quail hunters would have dialed up, given the option. September 2021 through March 2022  proved to be one of the driest stretches in Texas on record. Measurable precipitation was absent from most of the state until late April. In South Texas, a good year of production and grass growth in 2021 was insulation from the worst these conditions, but up north in the Panhandle there was little cushion. Texas Quail Forecast 2022: Coming ..read more

CWD Found in Limestone County Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) discovered Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Limestone County. A white-tailed deer within a breeding facility tested positive for CWD. The is marks the first positive detection of CWD in Limestone County. With deer season just around the corner, will this affect hunters? The deer was found as part of a required CWD surveillance program.  Samples from four deer were detected with CWD prions by the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in College Station on Sept ..read more

Found: CWD in Gillespie County State officials have discovered CWD in Gillespie County. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been discovered in a deer breeding within the county. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) are collaboratively working to determine the source and extent of the first positive detection of the disease in this county. CWD is a prion disease that affects deer, elk, reindeer, sika deer and moose. CWD has been found in some areas of Texas and it continues to increase. It may take over a year before an infected deer develops sy ..read more

Cedar trees are aggressive species that can overtake rangelands and woodlands. Cedar can be controlled, but which type of cedar trees are on your property? Learning how to identify and control cedar trees as well as other invasive woody species is important. Proper identification allows land managers to correctly control and/or suppress brush species on their property. There are two major cedar tree species west of Interstate Highway 35, redberry cedar and blueberry cedar. As the names imply, blueberry cedar has blue berries and redberry cedar has red berries. In addition, redberrycedar has sm ..read more

Texas Dove Hunting Season Outlook It’s hot outside but how about that Texas dove hunting action? Texans are used to scorching summers, but this year’s record highs across much of the state have left many dove hunters wondering about the upcoming season opener. “Unless conditions change drastically over the next few weeks, hunting near water will be key for opening day this year,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD Dove Program Leader. “Hunters will likely see larger concentrations of birds at watering holes and food sources than they have in the past due to limited resources. Agriculture production h ..read more

Mule Deer Surveys: Above & Beyond Mule deer surveys are an important component of managing mule deer populations in the Texas Panhandle. In Texas, large-scale aerial mule deer surveys are conducted by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Wildlife Department (TPWD) annually.  And as it turns out, counting mule deer is more complicated than you’d think. Biologists don’t simply fly around counting the deer that they observe down below. Survey data ensures sound regulations and stable populations for future hunting opportunities. According to TPWD, “The mule deer range in the Texas P ..read more