March 26, 2007

Game Warden Field Notes, March 26, 2007

The following are excerpts from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.

March 19, 2007

Funeral Services Set for Slain Texas Game Warden

AUSTIN, Texas – Funeral services for Texas Game Warden Justin Hurst have been set for Wednesday, March 21 at 11 a.m. at the First Methodist Church in El Campo. Hurst, 34, was killed in the line of duty on Saturday, March 17.

Hunter Takes New Texas State Record Bighorn Sheep

AUSTIN, Texas — A ram Stephanie Altimus harvested in the Beach Mountains in early January should stand as the new Texas state record desert bighorn sheep. The record sheep scored 184 points under the Boone and Crockett scoring system following the required 60-day required drying period for scoring purposes.

Experts Say Education Key to Solving Urban Coyote Problems

DALLAS, Texas — Seeing a coyote in the countryside is a part of nature, but when you spot one in your backyard, that’s a different story. As urban areas continue to expand and develop the rangeland that was once coyote habitat, sightings of the wild canine continue to grow, and so do the problems.

March 13, 2007

Feral Hogs No Longer Just a Rural Concern

AUSTIN, Texas — Problems with exotic, invasive plants and animals—species that did not evolve in Texas and don’t belong here—continue to worsen statewide. One escalating issue involves feral hogs, which have been a problem for decades on rural ranch land, but in recent years have begun to cause damage in cities.

Houston Holds Annual Land Management Workshop

HOUSTON — Because the future of Texas’ wildlife and habitat conservation ultimately resides in the choices of private land-owning citizens, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Cooperative Extension and the Gulf Coast and Heartwood chapters of the Texas Master Naturalists are sponsoring the “Managing Your Land for Wildlife Workshop,” Saturday, March 24 in Houston.

Feb. 26, 2007

Stolen Night-Vision Goggles Recovered in Poaching Investigation

DECATUR, Texas — Wise County District Attorney Jana A. Jones announced Tues. the arrest of six men suspected of stealing military night vision equipment and using it to illegally hunt.

Feb. 12, 2007

Quail Need Help Rebuilding Numbers

AUSTIN, Texas — For some, the 2006-07 Texas quail hunting season may not have been as rewarding as in recent years, with dry conditions contributing to below-average quail production and fewer birds in the field.

Springs Documentary Airs Feb. 15, Some Airtimes Revised

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will air its latest video documentary about water resources, “Texas the State of Springs,” the evening of Thursday, Feb. 15 on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations statewide.

Feb. 5, 2007

‘Women of the Land’ Workshop Offered March 24-25

ALBANY, Texas — Landowners and other women interested in learning about land management, hunting basics and outdoor skills are invited to this year’s “Women of the Land,” workshop held at Stasney’s Cook Ranch in Albany, Texas, March 24-25.