Texas Deer News  Texas Deer Association Welcomes Passage of 'Due Process' Bill May 15, 2013 AmmoLand.com (press release) ... Under the Due Process Bill provisions, any deer breeder charged with a violation is afforded a thorough and fair review by a district judge. The bill also requires Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) to provide written notice in the event the department seeks to depopulate some or all of a breeder’s deer herd ... Texas Deer Legislation Lacks Scientific Merit May 14, 2013 AmmoLand Shooting Sports News ... HB 2433 and SB 1412 ... the bills would change the long-standing ‘10-Day Rule’ regulation for releasing breeder deer to an extended 60-day period... These experts explain the release dates proposed in the bills mean moving deer in the hottest month of the year which would result in the needless death ... Deer aren't mean, they're just curious May 12, 2013 Texas, Herald Zeitung ... deer are inclined to pull up anything new that is planted. They are curious animals. They also seem to especially like plants directly from the nursery. These plants have been well watered and are growing rapidly so are full of moisture ... State Park wildlife should be viewed but not touched, estimating deer population May 7, 2013 Texas, Lone Star Outdoor News ... Texas Parks and Wildlife conducts surveys in state parks to get an idea of how many deer live in the area. By documenting how much first-choice and second-choice plants are eaten in a certain time frame, TPWD gets an idea of how many deer live in the area... After Texas Parks & Wildlife's Slaughter of a Hunt County Deer Herd, Questions of Wildlife Ownership Abound May 2, 2013, Texas, Dallas Observer ... Texas Parks and Wildlife said that the Andertons couldn't provide evidence of the state of origin for every animal, and so they all had to be wiped out to prevent the Texas incursion of a highly transmissible, neurodegenerative killer of deer known as chronic wasting disease... James and Jimmie are suing TPWD in federal court, claiming the agency violated their constitutional rights by depriving them of property -- $700,000 of it, they claim -- without due process... Exotic Wildlife Association Opposes 'Anti-Deer' Bills in Texas April 16, 2013 Texas, Ammoland.com ... The two bills — HB 2433 and SB 1412 — were introduced into the Texas 83rd Legislative Session by the Texas Wildlife Association and would change the so-called ‘10-Day Rule’ on releasing breeder deer to a 60-day period. According to many wildlife biologists, moving the state’s release dates to the hottest month of the year would result in the needless death of thousands of deer and fewer hunting opportunities ... Dr. James Kroll Denounces Texas Deer Bill April 8, 2013 AmmoLand.com (press release) ... Kroll ...criticized House Bill 2433 and Senate Bill 1412 ... “If some organizations are so concerned about 10-Day releases, they need to step up and fund scientifically valid research. Until then, I do not think it prudent to change long-standing regulations based on anecdotal or unscientific concerns. I think this legislation is a philosophical agenda hidden behind questionable science... there is a deep philosophical divide among wildlife people on how wildlife should be managed.. " Deer Breeding Industry Looks to Lawmakers to Relax Rules April 4, 2013 Texas, New York Times ... In the early 1980s, when the deer breeding industry was in its infancy in Texas, Robert Williams bought his first deer, Old Bambi, for $250... as the Texas Deer Association — a lobbying group for deer breeders — pushes for measures to ease some regulations. The group says current oversight is constraining the industry, but environmental groups say the industry has overstepped its bounds by shifting its strategy away from conservation and toward support for the commercial hunting industry... Bill breeds dissension among deer fans April 4, 2013 Texas, Corpus Christi Caller Times ... The Texas Wildlife Association, through House Bill 2433 and Senate Bill 1412, has proposed a 60-day release rule for hunting pen-raised deer. The association’s leadership said this is about health and safety as well as preserving the state’s hunting heritage... Currently Texas is one of three states to require a 10-day waiting period between the time a buck with full antlers is released from its pen or holding pasture and when it’s available to be shot by a hunter... Ted Nugent adds 'fever' to Texas deer hunting debate, fair chase April 4, 2013 Detroit Free Press ... Established nearly a century ago as a conservation measure, deer breeding has become a $650 million business in the state, according to researchers at Texas A&M University ... Under current state law, breeders must release white-tailed deer into the wild at least 10 days before hunting season... the rules surrounding deer bred in captivity have become central to the contentious concept known as "fair chase." ... Changes to mule deer, pronghorn seasons April 2, 2013 Texas, Lone Star Outdoor News ... A new pilot program will allow some landowners to determine their harvest quota for pronghorn in some regions... an extension to the existing mule deer managed lands deer permits (MLDP) season will be part of changes ... Deer Breeding Bill, What's On Tap in Energy and Environment at the Texas Legislature This Week April 1, 2013 StateImpact Texas ... A new bill could provide Texas’ deer breeders with a little more certainty when applying for breeding permits. The bill, HB 1614 by Rep. Larry Phillips, R-Sherman, could clarify the permitting process and state more clearly who can be denied a deer breeding permit. You can check StateImpact Texas’ reporting on the companion bill in the Senate here... Definitive deer study targets rural property owners March 29, 2013 Texas, Southwest Farm Press ... The Texas Deer Study Group, originally known as the West Texas Deer Study Group, was formed in 1997 to serve as a forum for information exchange between deer and property managers across the state. Dr. Dale Rollins, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist at San Angelo ... “A growing trend towards more intensive deer management, including deer breeding, illustrates some managers’ goals, while others believe such intensive management diminishes the overall value of deer in the eyes of the hunter and the public,” ... I LOVE YOU BABY DEER Released in Time for Easter March 26, 2013 Texas, Broadway World ... Children's book "I Love You Baby Deer" (Brown Books Publishing Group), by Linda Gilleland of Uvalde, Texas, is a great addition to anyone's Easter basket. Young readers, parents and grandparents alike will enjoy sharing this tender true story... Keith Warren Speaks Out on Texas Deer Bill , March 26, 2013 Texas, Outdoor Hub ... House Bill 2433 and Senate Bill 1412 were introduced recently into the Texas 83rd Legislative Session and changes the usual September release period, which has been in effect for more than 80 years, to a release period that requires moving deer in July... Warren explains that deer are very susceptible to stress and moving the animals under conditions where there is excessive body heat ... can cause the deer to suffer myopathic conditions ... Plant spring food plots with Realtree Nursery March 22, 2013 Texas, Lone Star Outdoor News ...the Dunstan chestnut, which was bred by noted plant breeder Dr. Robert Dunstan. Because of higher disease resistance and heavy annual production of nuts, the Dunstan chestnut is perfect for food plots. Plus, deer love chestnuts. They even prefer them over most oak trees ... Texas deer hunting forecast remains bright heading toward new season March 21, 2013 Texan Outdoors ... “I think the Hill Country had a decent harvest. I know early on acorns played a role and kept numbers down for hunters. However, that picked up like it usually does toward Thanksgiving and later into the season it again got pretty good. In the Panhandle hunters killed some good deer as they usually do. I know in the Oak Prairie, which is where the antler restrictions started, they saw a lot of deer... " ... Alan Cain, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department white-tailed deer program leader ... Texas Deer Association Warns New Legislation Puts Deer at Risk March 18, 2013 Texas, The Hunting Wire ... The two bills — HB 2433 and SB 1412 — were introduced into the Texas 83rd Legislative Session by the Texas Wildlife Association and call for changing the so-called ‘10-Day Rule’ on releasing breeder deer to a 60-day period that would mandate moving deer during the hottest, deadliest time of the year... Horsehoe Bay, HSB deer traps vandalized March 13, 2-13 Texas, Llano County Journal ... Horseshoe Bay Police are on the lookout for a vandal who has damaged trapping nets in the community. Police said that within the last weeks, three trapping nets have been vandalized in Horseshoe Bay West... Leander teen said he shot six deer in Block House Creek because they were bad March 9, 2013 Texas, Hillcountrynews ... walk up to a deer that was lying down ... then pointed a rifle and fired several shots ... When the deputy tried to clarify what [teen] Schneider meant by "the bad," the teen explained that "the bad" were deer and that he shot six of them in the woods because they were "destroying the forest." ... AgriLife Extension sets annual Texas Deer Study Group for April 18 at Glen Rose March 8, 2013 Agrilife.org ... “This year’s theme is Navigating the Deer Management Continuum, which reflects the spectrum of deer management intensity and technologies,” said Dr. Dale Rollins, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist at San Angelo ... Individual registration is $75 before April 10 and $100 thereafter. Registration is available online at www.texas-wildlife.org.For more information on the study group, email Helen Holdsworth at hholdsworth@texas-wildlife.org. How New Legislation Could Benefit Texas Deer Breeders February 27, 2013 StateImpact Texas ...Sen. Tommy Williams, R-Woodlands, filed a bill this month, SB 820, that could overhaul some permitting for breeders... The bill provides specific instances in which revocation of a breeding permit should occur, such as debts to the state or providing misleading statements on a renewal application. The bill also allows for some leeway for breeders previously convicted of some crime involving breeding, like failing to tag a captive deer. 'Dr. Deer' to speak at Waco agriculture conference this week February 5, 2013 Texas, Waco Tribune-Herald If you want to encourage healthy herds of deer on and around your property, the man known as “Dr. Deer” has this advice: Hunt more does and give bucks a chance to grow up... Plant small grains, cowpeas and native shrubs ... Ten common mistakes deer breeders make January 10, 2013 Texas, Lone Star Outdoor News ... Charly Seale, executive director of the Exotic Wildlife Association, recently released a report concerning common errors made by deer breeders when dealing with their facilities and animals. Texas Parks and Wildlife intends to periodically publish common errors made by deer breeders ... 1. Not maintaining accurate, current, and complete records ... 2. Not activating transfer permits to move deer... Port Mansfield, Navigation District considers feeding ban January 3, 2012 Texas, Valley morning Star Deer walk freely through Port Mansfield yards, streets and parking lots daily. The Willacy County Navigation District said it is considering a ban on feeding deer in the city, arguing that volunteer firefighters have trouble getting around town ... many people want the deer to stay because they are the town’s only tourist attraction, other than sport fishing. Raul Flores agrees. He said Winter Texans and families with children come from as far away as Mission and McAllen to feed the deer, making the community “one big petting zoo,” which can improve the village’s economy... South Texas Rut Is Heating Up December 27, 2012 Field and Stream ... ranch manager Ty Bartoskewitz reports he saw 65 deer one evening in a wheat field just before Christmas near Breckenridge in North Texas. The mob included several bucks still chasing does.... The rut is basically over in the northern half of the region, except for a few very isolated reports of a buck seen chasing a doe. Meanwhile, in the brush country of South Texas, activity levels are ramping up daily. Managed Lands Deer Permits (MLDP) Hunting late-season bucks December 25, 2012 Texas, North Texas e-News ... Ranches willing to comply with management and harvest guidelines established by Texas Parks and Wildlife biologists are allowed to harvest deer, even bucks, through February... Does that were not bred during the primary rut often come into estrus again in December. Doe fawns born early in the summer are often receptive to breeding a month after the primary rut ends. Competition is high for breeding rights with these does and some of the most brutal buck fights of the season often occur during late season... Illinois geneticist fined in Texas deer semen case December 20, 2012 Texas, Houston Chronicle An Illinois geneticist must pay $30,000 and serve three years of probation for illegally obtaining valuable semen from whitetail deer in East Texas. Not Seeing Deer This Year? Check the Oaks December 12, 2012 Texas, Field and Stream (blog) Several hunters have mentioned to me the lack of deer sightings around corn feeders this year... The likely reason for sparse buck sightings is a bumper crop of acorns ... We have live oaks, red oaks, and post oaks on our ranch, and all of them seem to be producing a bumper crop. ... Bobcats causing concern in North Texas neighborhood December 5, 2012 Texas, KVUE “They are able to take down a deer," Moore [self-titled wildlife specialist] said ... As human encroachment has intensified in Frisco, Moore said he has increasingly been called upon to move out some of the city's original tenants... TPWD reports strong first half for deer season December 1, 2012 Texas, San Angelo Standard Times ... Alan Cain, whitetail deer program leader for the TPWD, reports that first half results are been very good. "Summer and early fall rains were beneficial, and we are seeing good-bodied deer for the most part. And antler development has been better than average ... Doe and yearling deer went into this season in relatively good condition, but in order to keep this pattern going, it needs to rain," Deer rut about to peak in East Texas November 15, 2012 Longview News-Journal There is a period of time when mature whitetail bucks will actively seek out females or doe deer for breeding purposes. This phase is known as “the rut.” ... Deer in the southern area have an earlier peak rut date then in the north... The TP&W study shows most breeding activity happened from Oct. 21 to Jan. 5. Peak breeding dates were Nov. 22 in the northern portion and Nov. 12 in the southern part of the Piney Woods... A conservation model crafted specifically for Texas November 14, 2012 Austin American-Statesman The state has provided super strong private landowner protections for management and access, and it's invented the concepts of modern deer management to control herd numbers, enhanced habitat manipulation, supplemental feeding and management buck harvests to improve the genetic makeup of a population. Those concepts remain somewhat controversial ...“We’re not discounting the North American Model,” says Macy Ledbetter, a private consulting biologist who helped write the document. “It was a wonderful document when it was produced in the late 1800s... Hunting, hunters have changed over the years November 5, 2012 Texas, Your Houston News ... Hunting is done from a blind, placed about 100 yards or so from a deer feeder. Without a doubt, the success rate is better and the modern hunting equipment is a vast improvement from when I started hunting. But I believe that the new generation of hunters are missing out on some aspects of the sport. I have always thought that hunting is about getting out and learning about the game you are after... | Search for news and information by keyword above or find links to state news stories organized by topic.
An estimated $1.5 billion annually related to Texas deer hunts, $2.2 billion including deer breeding and tourism according to a Texas A&M study. Other useful links: - Texas Hunting Regulations - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - Texas Deer Cams - American Deer & Wildlife Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth of the deer and wildlife industry, and to help educate the public and youth on conservation and wildlife issues. - Texas Parks and Wildlife Scroll down for more tweets
- Natural Resources PRIORITY GOAL: "To conserve and protect our state’s natural resources (air, water, land, wildlife and mineral resources) by: - Developing a Deer Management Plan A wildlife management plan, one that is based on good science and sound population and habitat ... goes beyond single species (i.e. deer) management. - Urban Deer Management Study for Fair Oaks Notice of Deer Mgmt Research Project [this link will download a Word document] |
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