Post by Bobcat on Sept 21, 2003 8:16:14 GMT -5
A great hunting season
Updated: 9/20/2003 12:00:00 PM
By: Staff and wire reports
As fall comes to Texas, more than a million hunters are gearing up for another season, which will bring $2.5 billion into the Texas economy.
Turkey hunting is above average this season
Biologists say this year's rain has brought a good hunting season for those hunters.
"Having lush forest conditions means that we could have a banner year for large white-tailed bucks,” said Clayton Wolf of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
"We've had really good turkey production the last three years, so I think fall turkey pretty much statewide will find an abundance of young Jake birds, as well as two or three year old gobblers this fall season. Overall I'd say the state fall turkey season is probably going to be above average,” said Steve DeMaso of TPWD. "The outlook for this fall's quail season in Texas is really good. Last year we had a real good quail production and had a pretty good quail season over most of the year. And most of the state had a mild winter last year so we had really good carryover of the surviving birds which meant we had real good spring breeding population."
Duck hunters can also expect a good hunting season, including a 16-day Teal season.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has set up youth hunting days
"Right now the habitat conditions are pretty good. We're going to need some replenishing rainfall as well as some fronts to move the ducks down later in the year. If you take a look at the scale we look at we should have at least a good year,” said Dave Morrison of the TPWD.
"You're looking at average to above average production and for goose hunters you look for young birds in the flocks and this year we're going to have above average production."
Although improving, biologists still have concerns about snow geese over-population and its effect on Arctic breeding grounds.
"Texas will again be offered a light goose conservation order. You get electronic calls, there's no bag limit on light geese, you can hunt them till a half hour after sunset as well as hunt with an unplugged gun which is unheard of in most waterfowl or migratory bird hunting situations,” Morrison said.
Texas Parks and Wildlife has also set up special youth hunting days.
"It's extremely important to get young hunters out into the field. This is how they develop an understanding of the outdoors and their hunting heritage. And it's a good family bonding situation as well,” said Mike Berger of TPWD.
Texas Parks and Wildlife reminds hunters to check the local regulations where they will be hunting.
Bag limits and seasons can be different in each county. For more information, (800) 792-1112 menu 5, option 1.
Updated: 9/20/2003 12:00:00 PM
By: Staff and wire reports
As fall comes to Texas, more than a million hunters are gearing up for another season, which will bring $2.5 billion into the Texas economy.
Turkey hunting is above average this season
Biologists say this year's rain has brought a good hunting season for those hunters.
"Having lush forest conditions means that we could have a banner year for large white-tailed bucks,” said Clayton Wolf of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
"We've had really good turkey production the last three years, so I think fall turkey pretty much statewide will find an abundance of young Jake birds, as well as two or three year old gobblers this fall season. Overall I'd say the state fall turkey season is probably going to be above average,” said Steve DeMaso of TPWD. "The outlook for this fall's quail season in Texas is really good. Last year we had a real good quail production and had a pretty good quail season over most of the year. And most of the state had a mild winter last year so we had really good carryover of the surviving birds which meant we had real good spring breeding population."
Duck hunters can also expect a good hunting season, including a 16-day Teal season.
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has set up youth hunting days
"Right now the habitat conditions are pretty good. We're going to need some replenishing rainfall as well as some fronts to move the ducks down later in the year. If you take a look at the scale we look at we should have at least a good year,” said Dave Morrison of the TPWD.
"You're looking at average to above average production and for goose hunters you look for young birds in the flocks and this year we're going to have above average production."
Although improving, biologists still have concerns about snow geese over-population and its effect on Arctic breeding grounds.
"Texas will again be offered a light goose conservation order. You get electronic calls, there's no bag limit on light geese, you can hunt them till a half hour after sunset as well as hunt with an unplugged gun which is unheard of in most waterfowl or migratory bird hunting situations,” Morrison said.
Texas Parks and Wildlife has also set up special youth hunting days.
"It's extremely important to get young hunters out into the field. This is how they develop an understanding of the outdoors and their hunting heritage. And it's a good family bonding situation as well,” said Mike Berger of TPWD.
Texas Parks and Wildlife reminds hunters to check the local regulations where they will be hunting.
Bag limits and seasons can be different in each county. For more information, (800) 792-1112 menu 5, option 1.
