 |
Extra Points
Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners recently rejected an offer from the federal government for department land sought for construction of a border fence. The federal government wants to acquire part of the Anacua Unit within TPWD’s Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area, however, TPWD officials are concerned that a fence along the Rio Grande would disrupt the flow of wildlife between Texas and Mexico. Commissioners commented they understand the need for border security, but would like to see wildlife-friendly alternative.
NEW YORK HUNTING: New York Gov. David A. Paterson signed long-awaited legislation that creates a special ‘Junior Hunter’ mentoring program that will allow youths 14-15 to hunt big game with a firearm while accompanied and supervised by an experienced adult hunter. This bill also creates a trapper-mentoring program that allows youngsters to accompany and assist a licensed trapper who is at least 18 and has at least three years trapping experience. The present law allows youths 12-16 to hunt small game with a firearm or longbow, and those 14-15 to hunt big game with a longbow while under supervision.
LICENSE TO KILL: New hunting and fishing licenses will go on sale Aug. 15th. The 2007-08 licenses remain in effect through Aug. 31st, but new licenses will be required when dove season opens Sept. 1. Buyers last year rushed to purchase more than 350,000 licenses during the four-day period prior to the first weekend of dove season. TPWD sells more than 2.1 million hunting and fishing licenses statewide through TPWD field offices, state parks and more than 1,500 retailers.
EAST TEXAS ‘PRIDE?’: Although the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials insist that mountain lions are rare in East Texas, many residents claim the big cats are more plentiful than officials think. Following a story in the Tyler Paper on July 20th, phone calls and emails from readers poured in about mountain lion sightings, including two supposed cat sightings just days later. One mountain lion was reportedly seen off a highway near Eustace and another on FM 2661 on the western edge of Smith County.
|
|
