by John Jefferson
Most hunters and fishermen know hunting and fishing regulations are made by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission and implemented by the TPWD staff. The Texas Legislature exercises oversight of TPWD and its Commission and makes game and fish laws, too. And the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service controls migratory species like doves, waterfowl and saltwater fish.
Sounds confusing? Years ago, County Commissioners Courts in 22 counites even had veto power over TPW Commission proclamations. If Commissioners in a county vetoed the proclamation, that county’s game and fish laws reverted to general law provisions. General law was that enacted by the Legislature. One county’s deer season was even closed since a powerful resident requested it.
That system caused variation in game laws. Formerly, TPWD established the deer season opening date as the Saturday nearest November 15. In counties that vetoed TPWD’s proclamation, the date reverted to the statewide opening date the Legislature had previously set for counties not regulated by TPWD. That was November 16. The opening date might vary between adjoining counties by several days. Some said you had to have a lawyer just to go deer hunting! That changed for the most part when the Uniform Wildlife Regulatory Act became law in 1975, bringing all counties under TPWD regulations and eliminating the county veto provision.
There are still differences in season dates and bag limits based on game and fish populations and conditions – instead of the whims of county officials — but at least most of the confusion was eliminated.
The TPW Commission met on Jan. 21-22 to hear staff proposals for regulation changes for 2019-2020. Seasons were proposed to open and close on roughly the same dates as the 2018-2019 seasons. Next week, TPWD will announce dates and places of public meetings where comments may be made. Final adoption is March 20.
As usual, TPWD is proposing to tweak bass limits on several lakes. Lakes Conroe and Allen Henry are to revert to the statewide length limits. Mill Creek Lake will change to a 16-inch maximum length except for ShareLunker entries. Twelve-inch minimum limit will extend to more Southeast Texas reservoirs. Lake Lakewood will get an 18-inch minimum length. Alligator gar must be four-foot minimum length in the Trinity from Dallas to I-10, reporting required and no nighttime bowhunting permitted statewide.
Coastal fishing changes include extending the five-speckled trout limit to the Louisiana border, requiring circle hooks for sharks, increasing cobia minimum length limit, repealing temporary mackerel rules and closing oystering in Galveston, Matagorda and Copano bays for two years.
Regarding hunting, non-compliant MLD permitees where CWD testing is required will be disqualified, “doe days” will expand in certain counties, mule deer antler restrictions will be implemented in Lynn County, javelina season will open in six counties, proof of turkey sex is clarified, and migratory bird regulations are established — including decreasing pintail bag limit to one.
To comment on fishing proposals, contact Ken.Kurzawski@tpwd.texas. For big game hunting, contact, mitch.lockwood@tpwd.texas.gov. For small game, contact shaun.oldenburger@tpwd.texas.gov .
JJ
