Texas Wildlife Management, Tax Valuation Includes Insects



Maintaining property under a wildlife tax valuation is about more than just birds and mammals. Insects are also an important part of the system. Protecting native insect pollinators on private property now comes with new benefits for Texas landowners.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Nongame and Rare Species Program developed new guidelines for landowners to develop wildlife management plans for their properties. If a landowner’s property is currently evaluated under an Agricultural Tax Valuation, they may qualify for an Agricultural Tax Appraisal based on Wildlife Management Use if they follow the new guidelines to protect and support native pollinators.

Private Lands Means Wildlife Management by Property Owners

Because more than 95 percent of Texas lands are privately owned, effective native insect pollinator conservation requires private landowner involvement. Landowners can play a significant role in conserving and maintaining pollinator populations by applying management practices that benefit these species, which support the healthy growth of several agricultural crops for free.

Wildlife Management Guidelines for Tax Valuation

The new guidelines are published in Management Recommendations for Native Insect Pollinators in Texas, which are available online by navigating through the link that appears later in this paragraph. The guidelines outline a suite of different practices that benefit these species, from prescribed burning, native plant re-seeding and installation of native pollinator plots to creating nest sites. The various practices in the guidelines could be applied to small backyards and large ranches alike.

The guidelines address a growing problem: Native insects that are important to pollinating wildflowers and agricultural crops, including some bumble bee species and the monarch butterfly, have experienced dramatic population declines and are in need of conservation action. In addition, significant challenges to managed European honeybee health has sparked interest in native insects as alternative pollinators for agricultural production.

Pollinators are Important for Wildlife & People in Texas


Pollination is one of the most vital processes in sustaining natural ecosystems and agricultural production. The majority of flowering plants that comprise Texas’ diverse ecosystems rely upon insects to transport pollen among flowers, ensuring the production of viable seed. Viable seed is critical for the perpetuation of plant species across the landscape. The annual value of insect-pollinated crops to the U.S. economy is estimated at over $15 billion.


Molasses Blocks for Deer as Attractant & Bait

Deer hunters are always looking for a bait or attractant that will give them an edge while hunting. Molasses blocks may do just that. It was livestock producers that were among the first to use molasses as an additive in mineral supplements. And let’s face it, nothing beats the nearly universal appeal of molasses’ sticky, sweet goodness. Whitetail absolutely crave it, too.

New Molasses Block for Deer

Evolved Habitats, the undisputed gurus-of-the-good-stuff for whitetail deer and other game species works tirelessly to understand the science behind attraction. Products that are long-lasting, affordable and highly palatable to whitetails earn the trust and devotion of hunters and deer managers who need to attract and hold deer to camera locations and, where legal, active hunting sites.


This 4-lb. pressed mineral brick hits whitetails with a dichotomy of appealing attractants. Real molasses appeals to their senses of smell and taste, while sodium and other trace minerals play to their instincts – feeding their bodies with the oft-absent dietary supplements they crave. The result is a habit-forming lure that deer swarm to.

These affordable and long-lasting molasses bricks represent the most effective and economical way to create new mineral sites or supplement existing sites. What’s more, their earthy coloration helps thwart would-be game camera thieves by allowing hunters to keep their mineral sites subtle and discreet.

Molasses as a Deer Attractant

  • Evolved Habitat Molasses Brick
  • Contains real molasses
  • Pressed mineral block is designed to be long lasting
  • Habit forming mineral attracts and holds deer
  • Easily create new or maintain existing mineral sites
  • Supplements sodium deficiencies present in most soils
  • Long lasting bait for whitetail deer
  • Discreet color avoids giving away location of cameras or mineral site
  • 4 lb. brick
  • MSRP: $5.99

Using Molasses & Minerals for Whitetail

Mineral sites are of critical importance to white-tailed deer. They help with maintain micro-nutrients in deer and help maintain overall herd health. Deer seek out minerals so they work great as an attractant, bait. Give the deer on your property what they want. Hold them with what they need. A molasses brick is a highly effective and affordable way to attract deer and keep them at these sites for nutritional supplementation and game camera monitoring. Come.

Consider molasses and mineral blocks as part of your deer hunting strategy this coming fall. The best time to get them out is now, so that deer will be supplements throughout the summer and know where to find them this fall. With molasses blocks in place you also know where you will be deer hunting this season.

The Feed Station for Deer

A good feed station for deer will help whitetail stay in the area you hunt and manage. Whitetail bucks are food-focused outside of the rut. Maintaining supplemental feed for deer is not good for keeping them on your property, but also a great way to maintain body condition for bucks and does. Increased nutrition leads to larger antlers and more fawns.

Moultrie Unveils The Feed Station

Hunters and wildlife managers are always look to deliver feed to hungry animals, but with value in mind. The Feed Station from Moultrie may be just what you need. ‬With no electronics and no moving parts, this basic gravity-fed feeder offers unbeatable value and unmatched ease of use. Simply strap the Feed Station to a tree, fill the hopper with pellets, corn or whatever you like and walk away. No batteries or assembly required. No headaches.

The Feed Station is capable of dispensing a wide variety of feed types, from powders to corn to protein pellets, to suit the needs and preferences of every wildlife species. The Feed Station is also ideal for those habitat managers and hunters looking to supply feed to wildlife during a few months of the year without spending a lot of money in the process.

The Feed Station for Deer

The Feed Station Specs and Capacity


This deer feeder is simple and made to work, last. Like other Moultrie feeders, the Feed Station is constructed to be weather-resistant and reliable due to its simplicity, durability due to its heavy-duty plastic construction and exceptionally easy to use. With the exception of feed, everything needed to get the Feed Station into action comes standard, including mounting straps for quick and simple deployment. Check out the Feed Station’s features:

  • Gravity-fed trough design for flawless operation
  • Durable and reliable UV-resistant plastic construction
  • Straps for tree or post mounting included
  • 40-pound feed capacity
  • No batteries or programming required
  • MSRP: $24.99

Feeder is a Good Option

The Moultrie Feed Station for deer is the perfect blend of rugged materials matched with a simplistic design for the value-conscious wildlife manager and hunter looking to start a feeding regimen or provide multiple feeding stations with minimal cost. This would be a great piece of equipment for those managing and hunting deer on smaller properties. The size of the feeder limits the amount of feed it can hold, but it holds enough for properties where managers are on-site or visit frequently.

Does Aflatoxin Impact Bobwhite Quail Populations, Hunting?

Does corn high in aflatoxin impact bobwhite quail populations? Quail have been on the decline for years, with wide speculation regarding what the ultimate problem/s may be. Many researchers point to a number of changing parameters with quail’s environment, but aflatoxin is often mentioned.

The Impact of Aflatoxin on Quail

“In trying to identify reasons behind the decline in quail populations in Texas, we determined it would be worthwhile to study whether aflatoxins, which are fungal toxins that contaminate grain, might be a concern,” said Dr. Susan Cooper, AgriLife Research wildlife ecologist at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Uvalde.

“We wondered whether eating grain-based feed supplements for wildlife, especially deer corn, might possibly expose quail to chronic low levels of aflatoxin poisoning, thereby affecting their reproductive ability.”

“We knew that experimental doses of even small amounts of aflatoxins may cause liver damage and immunosuppression,” Cooper explained. “So the objective of this study was to determine whether consumption of aflatoxins in feed at those levels likely to be encountered as a result of wild quail eating supplemental feed provided for quail, deer or livestock, would result in a reduction in their reproductive output.”

Corn with Aflatoxin Fed to Quail

Cooper said the results of the study showed intermittent consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated feed had no measurable effect on the body weight, feed consumption and visible health of either species of quail. “The reproductive output, measured by number of eggs produced, egg weight and yolk weight, was also unaffected,” she said. “Thus, in the short term, it appears that chronic low-level exposure to aflatoxins has no measurable deleterious effects on the health and productivity of quail.”

Cooper said as a result of the study it was possible to conclude that aflatoxins in supplemental feed are unlikely to be a factor contributing to the long-term population decline of northern bobwhite and scaled quail through reduced health or egg production. However, she cautioned that feed should be kept dry to avoid potential contamination with higher levels of aflatoxin that may be harmful.

”This project also does not address any long-term effects of aflatoxin consumption that may become evident when wild bobwhite quail are exposed to nutritional or environmental stresses,” she said.

Texas Spring Turkey Season, Rio Population Look Great

With Texas’ spring season just around the corner, there is good news for turkey hunters: With a good crop of birds last year combined with a healthy stock of mature gobblers, the spring turkey season holds plenty of opportunity for hunters willing to put in the time afield, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

“I am looking forward to a great turkey season,” said Jason Hardin, TPWD Upland Game Bird Program specialist. “This past spring and summer, Texas experienced one of our best nesting seasons in years thanks to good habitat. Hunters can expect to see quite a few mature toms and a ton of jakes. These jakes will be great for introducing new hunters to turkey hunting and set the stage for the next two years of spring hunting.”

The spring season for Rio Grande turkey in the South Zone of Texas runs March 19-May 1 and culminates with a youth-only weekend May 7-8. In the North Zone, the youth-only weekend seasons are March 26-27 and May 21-22. The North Zone general season opens April 2 and runs through May 15. A special one-gobbler limit season runs April 1-30 in Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Fayette, Jackson, Lavaca, Lee, Matagorda, Milam, and Wharton counties.

Hardin notes that the mild winter and early spring should lead to some early breeding behavior. The large number of juvenile hens on the landscape could lead to quite a few mature gobblers being “henned-up” early in the season.

“However, by mid-season most of the hens should be bred and incubating eggs leaving a large number of mature gobblers looking for love,” he noted. This would be a great time to be out hunting a gobbler in search of a hen. “Also, if conditions remain mild and if we get a few more timely rain events, Texas can expect another good year of nesting and populations growth.

Best Rated Crossbow for Deer Hunting

Crossbows have a place when it comes to deer hunting. The challenge is still getting close to game when hunting with a crossbow, but these pieces of equipment offer more reliability with hunters that have not had the time to master more traditional archery equipment. Browning Crossbows has just released on of the best rated bows we’ve see yet, the OneSixTwo Crossbow from the line of ZeroSeven Crossbows. The OneSixTwo will feature Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camouflage and will be made in the U.S.A.

Built for speed and accuracy, a must for deer hunters everywhere, the OneSixTwo is rated to shoot at 370 FPS. The crossbow is also packed with industry leading patent pending technologies.

The Browning Crossbow OneSixTwo ships fully assembled. Additionally it will have the Browning patent pending Crank Cocking Device (CCD) installed from the factory and will ship in the Browning TPS (Total Protection System) Travel Case. The heavy duty case has large latches and balanced carry handles to keep the bow protected in storage or travel. The bow also comes equipped with a bore sighted Cross 1.5-5 x 32 mm push button illuminated crossbow scope with auto shut off. Three 22″ Browning carbon arrows are also included

Hunters familiar to the quality of a rifle’s trigger will appreciate the Triggertech trigger system in the OneSixTwo crossbow. The trigger has only a 3 lbs pull weight and with the Frictionless Release Technology, a responsive and smooth release. The frictionless sear on the trigger allows for a smooth feel with out any trigger creep.

For added safety, the ADF (Anti-Dry Fire) feature will not allow the safety to be off if an arrow hasn’t been loaded. In addition, the Triggertech designed trigger won’t fire unless the arrow has been loaded with the proper vane facing down. This ensures positive contact between the arrow and the string.

The patented flight track hook groove keeps the cams aligned when cocking the bow. This design allows for an even and consistent draw and results in better timing for the cams when fired producing repeatable accuracy.

The OneSixTwo comes with the Browning Crank Cocking Device. This easy to use cranking system reduces the draw to just 17 lbs. and stores in the cheek piece of the bow for easy deployment and cocking. Simply press the button on the butt stock and the check piece lifts up revealing the cocking mechanism.

The soft touch rubber textured feel Comfort Ledge Palm rest has proprietary rubber finger reminders that help with vibration, sound suppression and added safety for the user when firing.

The quiver can be placed on either side of the bow and lines up parallel to the stock using the left or right picatinny rails. There is also a rail on the bottom of the forearm for added custom ability of a grip or other accessories. The OneSixTwo has an MSRP of $1,400.00 and a MAP of $1,200.00. We rates it as one of the best crossbows for hunting deer that we’ve seen yet in this price range.

Best Game Camera to Hit the Market: G34 Pro

G34Pro: A Solid Camera for Scouting Deer

Hands down, this is one of the best trail camera to hit the hunting market (for the price) in some time. Stealth Cam, introduced in the year 2000, quickly became the leader in scouting camera innovation. Continuing to advance technology to the next level, Stealth Cam introduces the new G34 Pro.

The G34 Pro is 10% smaller in size than the original G series, and features a textured housing with rub to help blend in with its surroundings. Some of the more notable improvements include an adjustable PIR sensor that allows the camera to sense out to 100 feet, as well as security mode with SD card overwriting. Security mode ensures your card will never fill up and stop working, rather retaining the most recent information the SD card capacity can hold.

Go Pro with This Trail Camera

The G Pro series feature the same easy to use interface with a digital LCD screen that reads out to you exactly what setting your camera is set to, so there is no guess work involved. Now shipping with preset date and time, you don’t have to worry about forgetting to set your date/time, and can eliminate one step of the set up process.

Another important feature the G Pro series retain is our Matrix Advanced Blur Reduction technology. This allows the user to choose from two settings at night. Standard mode is chosen for optimal image quality when placed over an area you know the subject will be stationary (Feeders, small water holes, scrapes, mineral licks, etc). This is great for trying to identify individual bucks using specific deer survey methods. Advanced mode is chosen for the most usable images in areas with lots of movement such as food plots, trails, gate crossings, roads, and so on. By choosing advanced mode you will lose some illumination range at night (Approximately 15%) but you will always be able to tell what your subject is. Most serious hunters would agree that a non blurry image of that big buck is much better than blurry, unidentifiable antlers and body.

Get the images every hunter dreams to see in the field with the G34 Pro by Stealth Cam. This trail camera can be purchased at major sporting goods retailers and pro-shops, as well as online retailers.

G34 Pro Game Camera Features

  • Triad® Armed
  • 12 Megapixel
  • HD Video recording 5-180 seconds w/ audio
  • Time Lapse with PIR Override
  • 10% Smaller than G Series
  • PIR Adjustable range
  • Security Mode (re-write SD memory)
  • Reflex™ Trigger-.5 seconds
  • 34 IR Low Glow Emitters
  • Intuitive backlit menu programing
  • Matrix™ Advanced Blur Reduction
  • Retina™ Low Light Sensitivity
  • 16:9 Wide Image Ratio
  • Quick Set pre-programmed option
  • Burst Mode 1-9 images per triggering
  • 5-59 sec/ 1-59 min recovery time out
  • Time/ Date/ Moon Phase/ Temperature/ Name Stamp
  • GEO-TAG GPS Tagging
  • Manual Shot capability
  • Secure lock password protection
  • SD Card slot up to 32GB
  • Operated on 8 AA batteries
  • External power jack for 12V battery box
  • Preset Time & Date (CST)
  • MSPR: $169.99

Thermal Imaging Camera for Hunting, Game Retrieval

A thermal imaging camera has its place when it comes to deer hunting, especially when it comes to tracking shot deer. Enhanced game retrieval will help other hunters, too, so it’s time an affordable camera come to market to meet the demand. Enter Seek Thermal. They recently debuted their new Seek RevealXR FastFrame – all-in-one extended range thermal imaging device, boasting a 20-degree field of view and >15Hz frame rate, and combined with a high-performance 300-Lumen LED flashlight.

Seek Thermal Imaging Camera Debut

At the IWA OutdoorClassics Show, Seek Thermal unveiled its full line of affordable thermal image cameras for deer hunting, hog hunting and the outdoors. This includes the new Seek RevealXR FastFrame, an all-in-one extended range thermal imaging device, boasting a 20-degree field of view and >15Hz imaging frame rate, and also featuring a high-performance 300-Lumen LED light.

Seek also offers the Seek CompactXR, an award-winning Connect & Detect thermal imaging camera that plugs directly into your iOS or Android smartphone device and offers an impressive narrow field of view of up to 550 meters. Sounds like must-have deer hunting equipment to me. Can not wait to try it!

“Thermal imaging has been around for years, but up until now has cost thousands of dollars and largely unattainable to use in every day sporting,” said Tracy Benson, VP Global Marketing of Seek Thermal. “Now, Seek Thermal is changing that by engineering a product line that is portable, compact and affordable so that people have a smart advantage at their fingertips for scouting, tracking, and guaranteeing recovery in the rough, tough and dark environments people often face in the wilderness. As our company continues to expand, we are excited to now make this possible…”

The new Seek RevealXR comes in two colors: Pure Black and TrueTimber Kanati Camo, which is inspired by avid outdoorsman, professional boar hunter, and global TV personality Brian “Pigman” Quaca and strategic partnership with True Timber<>/a>. Seek’s Compact series cameras were the first stand-alone thermal imagers to connect directly to a smartphone and have received critical acclaim from Field & Stream, Popular Science, BBC Global, and more.

About the New Thermal Imaging Camera RevealXR

Built for long-range detection and identification, the Seek RevealXR is available in two imaging performance rates: <9Hz and a FastFrame >15Hz frame rate version. Both models feature a 20-degree field of view and a detectable thermal imaging distance of up to 275 meters away. Its rugged and innovative handheld design makes it easy to capture infrared images in outdoor conditions day or night, near or far.

In addition, both models include a powerful 300-lumen LED flashlight making it ideal for situational awareness and security, search and rescue, and target recognition from a distance. The products also feature a color display and a 206×156 thermal sensor allowing users to see and snap quality thermal images. Store, save and transfer photos to your computer or tablet using the USB cable or microSD card provided. The rechargeable lithium battery included has a runtime of 10+ hours, perfect for extending your time outdoors while seeking a new advantage.

Seek CompactXR for Hunting and Scouting

The CompactXR plugs directly into your iOS or Android device and in seconds, can detect temperatures from -40° up to 330° Celsius. The device features a narrow 20 degrees field of view so that users can detect up to 550 meters away, making it perfect for use in hunting, the outdoors, or as a personal safety tool. The CompactXR works with a free app that also allows the user to capture and share videos and photos.

Details of the New Thermal Cameras

With a suggested retail price of $449.00, the Seek RevealXR thermal imager, with the <9Hz frame rate, in pure Black and TrueTimber Kanati Camo, is available at thermal.com and authorized European channels. The Seek RevealXR FastFrame will be available in limited markets and authorized channels with pricing to be released soon. The Seek CompactXR sells for $299.00 USD and is now available at Amazon in U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and The Netherlands, in addition to authorized specialty retailers throughout Europe. We've all experienced times while deer hunting when a thermal imaging camera would have come in mighty handy. Any advantage when it comes to game retrieval is a must have, but it seems particularly important when we know at the other end of our successful hunting story is a great deer just waiting to be found.

Longer Dove Season in Texas

There will be a longer dove hunting season in Texas since state wildlife officials got exactly what they asked for. In fact, Texas dove hunters will have an additional 20 days this fall under proposed changes by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to the 2016-17 Statewide Hunting Proclamation for Migratory Game Birds up for public comment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved a 90-day Texas dove season, the longest in 80 years.

TPWD staff proposes to integrate the additional 20 dove hunting days early in the season to take advantage of migrating birds. The traditional September 1 dove season opening day in the North and Central Zones would remain, while the South Zone would open Sept. 23. The first segment in the North and South zones would extend through Nov. 13, while the Central Zone would run until Nov. 6. The season would reopen statewide Dec. 17 and run through Jan. 1, 2017 in the North Zone, Jan. 8, 2017 in the Central Zone and Jan. 23, 2017 in the South Zone.

The daily bag limit for doves statewide would remain 15 and the possession limit 45.

The Special White-winged Dove Area would be restricted to afternoon only (noon to sunset) hunting the first two full September weekends on Sept. 3-4 and 10-11. Hunting in this area would reopen Sept. 23 and continue through, Nov. 13, and then reopen Dec. 17 through Jan. 19, 2017. During the early two weekends, the daily bag limit would be 15 birds, to include not more than two mourning doves and two white-tipped doves. Once the general dove hunting season opens, the aggregate bag limit would be 15 with no more than two white-tipped doves.

No matter how you slice it, dove hunting opportunities in Texas will increase this fall. It remains to be seen whether or not the weather will cooperate with hunters headed to the field later this year.

CWD Found in Mule Deer in Texas Panhandle

CWD in Texas… Again

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been found in the Texas Panhandle. It seemed only a matter of time since the always-fatal deer disease had been documented to the west, just across the Texas-New Mexico border. The deer that tested positive for CWD was a free-ranging mule deer buck, harvested in Hartley County, during the fall hunting season.

Officials with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) received confirmation today from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa.

Hartley County is located in the Texas Panhandle immediately to the south of Dalhart and borders New Mexico. TPWD and TAHC are contemplating a multi-tiered risk management response similar to the approach taken in 2012, when CWD was first discovered in Texas in a free-ranging mule deer in the Hueco Mountains along the New Mexico border.

CWD in Texas Mule Deer

The latest discovery marks the eighth mule deer to test positive for CWD in Texas. The other seven animals, all within the Hueco Mountains area, indicate a disease prevalence of 10–15 percent within that population.

State officials are currently compiling all the data necessary to finalize the specific management response for this new CWD positive area, and will engage stakeholders to ensure that this recent discovery and scenario helps form the dialogue and recommendations for the future.

CWD was first recognized in 1967 in captive mule deer in Colorado. The disease has been documented in captive and/or free-ranging deer and elk in 23 states and 2 Canadian provinces. In Texas, CWD has also been documented in six white-tailed deer in Medina and Lavaca counties.

CWD Kills Deer

CWD among cervids is a progressive, fatal disease that commonly results in altered behavior as a result of microscopic changes made to the brain of affected animals. An animal may carry the disease for years without outward indication, but in the latter stages, signs may include listlessness, lowering of the head, weight loss, repetitive walking in set patterns, and a lack of responsiveness.

To date there is no evidence that CWD poses a risk to humans or non-cervids. However, as a precaution, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommend not to consume meat from infected animals.