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TPWD Releases Fishing and Hunting Regulation Change Proposals for 2019-2020
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is now accepting public comment on proposed changes to fishing and hunting regulations for 2019-2020. TPWD will be taking public comment on the following proposed changes to the 2019-2020 Statewide Recreational Fishing Proclamation and 2019-2020 Statewide Recreational Hunting Proclamation, with input to be considered before any action by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its March 20 public hearing.
Freshwater Fishing:
The proposed changes include modifications to the length limits and harvest regulations for largemouth bass, Alabama bass and alligator gar in certain areas. The proposed changes to alligator gar regulations also include a statewide nighttime prohibition on bow fishing, mandatory harvest reporting statewide except for Falcon Lake, and the creation of a drawing for harvest opportunity on the Trinity River.
Lake Conroe: Change current regulations for largemouth bass from a 16-inch minimum length limit and five-fish daily bag limit to a 14-inch minimum length limit and five-fish daily bag limit.
Lake Lakewood: Implement an 18-inch minimum length limit and three-fish daily bag for largemouth bass.
Mill Creek Lake: Change from a 14- to 21-inch slot length limit and five fish daily bag limit for largemouth bass to a 16-inch maximum length limit and five-fish everyday bag with an exception allowing for possession and weighing for bass 24 inches or greater for possible submission to ShareLunker program.
Southeast Texas: Expand the area in Southeast Texas currently covered by the 12-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass to include Hardin County, Newton County (excluding Toledo Bend Reservoir), and Liberty County south of U.S. Highway 90.
Alan Henry Reservoir: Modify the harvest regulations for largemouth and Alabama bass by removing Alabama bass from the current management (five-fish daily bag of which only two-bass less than 18 inches may be harvested). Alabama bass would revert to the statewide limits (no length limit and five-fish everyday bag in combination with largemouth bass).
Trinity River: Enact a 48-inch maximum length limit for alligator gar on the Trinity River from the I-30 bridge in Dallas downstream to the I-10 bridge in Chambers County, including the East Fork of the Trinity River upstream to the dam at Lake Ray Hubbard.
Trinity River: A drawing will be implemented to allow selected anglers to harvest one alligator gar over 48 inches in length per year from the Trinity River. The limited entry system would grant non-transferable to collect authorization for a set number of alligator gar. Permissions would be selected and distributed through a random draw of interested applicants.
Statewide: Between one half-hour after sunset and one half-hour before sunrise, no person may take or possess an alligator gar using lawful archery equipment or crossbow.
Statewide: All persons who take an alligator gar from the fresh public waters of the state other than Falcon International Reservoir, would be required to report the harvest via the department’s website or by mobile app within 24 hours.
Saltwater Fishing:
The proposed changes are intended to streamline rules for the entire Texas coast for spotted seatrout and modified rules for certain species to be in line with federal regulations to reduce confusion among anglers for sharks and cobia.
Extending the five fish bag limit for spotted seatrout to the upper coast, creating a coast-wide five-fish bag limit.
Requiring the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing for sharks in state waters, except when trolling with artificial lures.
Increasing the minimum size limit to 40 inches in total length for Cobia.
Closing oyster restoration areas in Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay and Copano Bay for two harvest seasons.
Hunting:
The proposed changes include implementation and expansion of white-tailed deer “doe days,” a temporary mule deer antler restriction in Lynn County, a clarification on turkey harvest requirements, and season dates and bag limits for migratory game birds.
Refusal of program participation in Managed Lands Deer Programs (MLDP) for non-compliant properties in areas where chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing is required for all harvested deer.
A four-day antlerless deer season in 21 counties in south central Texas. Counties being considered include Austin, Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Dewitt, Fayette, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes, Lavaca, Lee, Waller, Washington, and Wilson. In addition to these counties, Goliad, Jackson, Victoria, and Wharton counties north of U.S. Highway 59 and Comal, Hays, and Travis east of IH-35 would also be included.
Expansion of “doe days” in 20 counties from four to 16 days. Counties being considered include Bell (east of IH 35), Burleson, Delta, Ellis, Falls, Fannin, Franklin, Freestone, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Limestone, Milam, Navarro, Rains, Smith, Titus, Van Zandt, Williamson (east of IH 35), and Wood.
An experimental 20-inch minimum antler spread restriction regulation in Lynn County.
A new season for javelina in six counties in the South Plains, to include Borden, Dawson, Gaines, Hardeman, Scurry, and Terry counties.
Clarification, that proof of sex is required for turkeys taken during seasons when the bag limit is gobblers only or gobblers and bearded hens (i.e., not either sex), and that it can remain attached to the harvested bird or accompany the harvested bird.
Establish seasons and bag limits for migratory game birds for 2019-2020.
The public is encouraged to provide comment on the proposed regulation changes. Opportunities to offer explanations for or against these proposals include:
Facebook Live Webinar: TPWD staff will present the proposed regulation changes and answer questions in two Facebook Live webinars the last week of February. The fishing regulation change webinar will be held at noon Feb. 27, and the hunting regulation change webinar will be held at noon Feb. 28, on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Facebook page.
Public hearings: TPWD staff will host several public hearings to receive input from stakeholders and constituents concerning the proposed regulation changes.
Texas City (Saltwater): Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Nessler Civic Center 2010 5th Ave N, Texas City, TX 77590.
Port Arthur (Saltwater): Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Port Arthur Civic Center 3401 Cultural Center Dr; Port Arthur, TX 77642.
Conroe (Freshwater/Saltwater): Monday, March 4 at 7 p.m. at the San Jacinto River Authority Board Room, 1577 Dam Site Rd. Conroe Texas 77304.
Athens (Freshwater): Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m. at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Hart-Morris Conservation Center, 5601 Peninsula Point Rd., Athens 75752.
San Antonio (Freshwater): Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m.at the Lions Field Adult and Senior Center, 2809 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209.
Brenham (Hunting): Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m. at 1305 E. Blue Bell Rd., Brenham.
Livingston (Freshwater): Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at the Polk County Judicial Center, 101 W Mill St Livingston, TX 77351.
La Grange (Hunting): Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service 255 Svoboda Ln., La Grange.
Victoria (Hunting): Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at Pattie Dodson Health Center 2805 N. Navarro, Victoria.
Seguin (Hunting): Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. Texas AgriLife Extension Office, 210 East Live Oak Street, Seguin.
Online: Comments on the changes can be provided on the TPWD public comment page until March 19.
In person: The TPW Commission will take public comment on the proposed changes at their meeting on Wednesday, March 20 in Austin. Public testimony will generally be limited to three minutes per person.
Email: For freshwater fishing regulation proposals, email ken.kurzawski@tpwd.texas.gov. For saltwater fishing regulation proposals, email tiffany.hopper@tpwd.texas.gov.
Mail: To TPWD, attn. Hunting Regulations Public Comment, 4200 Smith School Rd., Austin, TX 78744.