Texas Hunting, Fishing Licenses expire August 31

AUSTIN | Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

New licenses for the 2014-15 hunting and fishing seasons go on sale Friday,

August 15. The current year Texas hunting and fishing licenses (except year-to-date fishing licenses) will expire Aug. 31.

Every year, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issues about 2.5 million hunting and fishing licenses through the agency’s 28 field offices, more than 50 state parks and at over 1,700 retailers across the state. Licenses may also be purchased online through the TPWD website at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/buy or by phone at 1-800-895-4248. Call center hours are Monday through Friday, 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. and there is a required $5 convenience fee for each phone or online transaction. The online transaction system is available 24/7. For online and phone orders, a physical license will be mailed within three business days. During that time period, a transaction receipt will be provided via email that will be sufficient proof of hunting license that can be used for dove hunting, though it will not be allowed for the take of fish or wildlife that require a tag.

Hunting and fishing regulations for the new season can be found in the 2014-2015 Outdoor Annual, available at license retailers August 15 and online at www.txoutdoorannual.com. Starting this fall, it’ll be easier than ever for hunters and anglers to take the Outdoor Annual with them in the field or on the water via a new app available by the end of August for free download on iPhone and Android platforms.

Mandatory Hunter Education Certification

In addition to a hunting license, anyone born after Sept. 1, 1971, must successfully complete a hunter education training course or purchase a one-time deferral good for one license year in order to hunt legally in Texas. The certification is valid for life and is honored in all other states and provinces.

Hunters who need hunter education certification now have expanded contemporary options including a streamlined, one-day basic course and an option for anyone 17 years of age or older to take the hunting safety training completely online. A combination online home study and 4 to 5 hour skills field day course is also offered. More information on hunter education certification is available online at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/outdoor-learning/hunter-education .

Bird Hunting Requirements

A Migratory Game Bird endorsement and Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification are also required to hunt dove or teal in September. HIP certification involves a brief survey of previous year’s migratory bird hunting success and is conducted at the time licenses are purchased. Duck hunters also need to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp.

There are other mandatory endorsements to consider at the time of license purchase. An Upland Game Bird Stamp ($7) is required to hunt all non-migratory game birds, including turkey, quail, pheasant and chachalaca.

Big Time Texas Hunts

Big Time Texas Hunts provide opportunities to win one or more of eight premium guided hunt packages with food and lodging provided, as well as taxidermy in some cases. The crown jewel of the program is the Texas Grand Slam dream hunt package, which includes four separate hunts for Texas’ most prized big game animals — the desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn. There are several quality whitetail hunt packages available, as well as opportunities to pursue alligator, waterfowl, upland game birds, wild hog and exotics. Big Time Texas Hunts entries are available online for just $9 each at www.tpwd.texas.gov/buyentry, or for $10 each at license retailers or by phone. There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may purchase and all proceeds benefit conservation, wildlife management and public hunting. The program is made possible with support from Toyota, Texas Trophy Hunters Association and the Texas Bighorn Society. More details on all eight premium hunts can be found online.

Lifetime License Drawing

Hunters and anglers can also take care of their licensing requirements for life with the purchase of an $1,800 Lifetime Super Combo, or enter for a chance at winning a lifetime license through the Lifetime License Drawing. Entries for the drawing cost $5 each and may be purchased wherever licenses are sold. There is no limit on the number of entries that may be purchased. Winners will be drawn on Dec. 30, 2014 and June 30, 2015. If you enter by Dec. 27, 2014, you will be eligible for both drawings.

TPWD Seeking Information from Hand-fishing Anglers

ATHENS—Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is seeking additional

information to learn more about the practice of hand fishing for catfish in the state. Also known as noodling or grabbling, hand fishing was legalized in Texas in 2011.

“Because it is so new to our state, we are hoping to identify who hand-fishing anglers are and what their needs may be,” said Kris Bodine, a TPWD fisheries research biologist. “TPWD will be conducting a survey over the next 60 days to better understand the needs, opinions and characteristics of hand-fishing anglers in Texas.”

The survey should take five to 10 minutes to complete online at https://survey.tpwd.state.tx.us/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=8803304. Anglers may complete the survey any time between now and June 30.

 The survey is voluntary, and no one has to answer any question they do not wish to answer. Responses to the survey will remain confidential.

Purpose of the survey is to improve catfish populations across the state as well as to ensure that the needs and opinions of hand-fishing anglers are included in future management plans.

While Noodling is somewhat new in Texas, it is a time honored tradition in Oklahoma and Lousiana where the art of fishing by hand has been handed down from generation to generation.

The 2nd Red River Noodling Shootout will be held in conjunction with the Magnolia Festival in Durant Oklahoma.  3 man teams will compete for over $10,000 in cash and prizes.  Conestants can start fishing 48 hours prior to the 6 pm weigh-in on May 31st at the Choctaw Event Center.  Oklahoma fishing regulations apply,  you must have a fishing license for whatever state you are fishing in, and entry deadline is May 29th. 

The 18th Magnolia Festival will run May 28 - Jun 1 at the Choctow Event Center.  Activities include an Art Show, the Choctaw Nation Princess Pageant, and local entertainment featured throughout the day with scheduled nightly entertainment. Events held on Saturday include the children’s parade, free children’s activities, Native American Dancers, and the 2014 Red River Noodling Shoot Out and the Fetch-N-Fish Dog Show. All events will cap off Saturday evening with live entertainment.

Find more fun events in the Lake Texoma area for the Memorial Day Weekend visit TexomaConnect.com.  An online tourism guide to the areas of Southern Okalhoma and North Texas surrounding Lake Texoma, TexomaConnect.com features places of interest, vacation rentals, boat rentals, things to do, a restaurant guide, special events calendar and lake property for sale in Texas. 

Lake Texoma Crappie Could Set Multiple Records

By Texoma Parks and Wildlife | March 19, 2014

ATHENS—A black crappie caught March 13 from Lake Texoma could

Johnny Summers, Jr., of Pottsboro

 

 

set a state record as well as two water-body records.

Johnny Summers, Jr., of Pottsboro caught the 2.93-pound, 16.88-inch fish in the Highport Marina Cove using a blue-and-silver Rat-L-Trap. The current weight record for Lake Texoma black crappie is 2.75 pounds, caught in 2008.

The fish was weighed and measured by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Inland Fisheries staff before being released back into the lake.

The fish’s length apparently qualifies it for two additional records, the Lake Texoma catch-and-release record and the state catch-and-release record.

All three records are pending receipt and acceptance of the applications by TPWD’s Angler Recognition Program. The catch should also qualify Summers for a Big Fish Award.

To learn how to enter fish in TPWD’s Angler Recognition Program, check current records and download application forms, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/programs/fishrecords/.

Contact the staff at the Lake Texoma fisheries station by phone at (903)786-2389, FAX (903) 786-9871 or e-mail bruce.hysmith@tpwd.texas.gov or john.moczygemba@tpwd.texas.gov.

Lake Texoma is well known as the "Striper Capital" but it is also well known for crappie, catfish, large and small mouth bass.  Find out what local anglers are catching now on the Fishing Report page of TexomaConnect.com or find a professional fishing guide and plan your own Lake Texoma Experience!