Antler restrictions for mule deer will be a new addition for hunters chasing mule bucks this fall in Briscoe, Childress, Cottle, Floyd, Hall, and Motley counties this year. The new antler restriction regulations prohibit the harvest of any mule deer buck with a main beam outside spread of less than 20 inches.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is implementing the new experimental regulation with the goal of improving buck age structure and sex ratios in these counties by reducing excessive hunting pressure on younger bucks. A similar antler restriction for white-tailed deer has been in place for a number of years in other parts of the state, and has successfully shifted the age class structure toward older bucks.
Managing mule deer hunting and harvest is one part of herd management that can be controlled through hunting regulations. The other part falls on landowners and hunters, by maintaining good mule deer habitat and staying within the law while in the field.
Mule deer archery-only season in the antler restriction counties occurs September 29 – November 2, with the general firearm season occurring November 17 – December 2. Information about hunting licenses can be found online.
Mule Deer Antler Restrictions
To protect young bucks, TPWD has set the minimum legal outside spread of the main beams at 20 inches based upon many years of harvest data. In other words, any buck having main beams with an outside spread smaller than 20 inches is NOT legal to harvest.
Additionally, any buck with at least one unbranched antler (e.g., spike) is NOT legal to harvest, unless the outside spread of the main beams is 20 inches or more in width. Based upon data collected by TPWD, the average ear-tip to ear-tip spread of 2 ½ to 8 ½+ year old mule deer bucks with ears in the alert position is about 21 inches.
This information on ear-tip to ear-tip measurement can be a useful guide to mule deer hunters attempting to field-judge mule deer bucks with at least a 20-inch main beam outside spread.
Experimental Antler Restrictions
The experimental antler restriction will be conducted for four hunting seasons. TPWD wildlife officials will collect age and antler measurements at voluntary hunter-harvest check stations to assess the effects of the regulation on buck age structure. Annual aerial surveys will be used to document sex ratios. Based on findings after four years, TPWD will either propose to extend the regulation, modify the antler restriction, or permanently terminate.
Mule Deer Antler Restriction Incentives
To gather the most harvest data possible, TPWD will offer incentives to hunters who check their harvest. Hunters who bring their harvest to a check station will be entered in drawings for items such as rifles, lifetime hunting licenses, and gift cards donated by Dallas Safari Club, the Texas Panhandle Chapter of the Dallas Safari Club, the Mule Deer Foundation, and Houston Safari Club. These data are essential to effectively evaluate the success of the experimental antler restriction.
More information is available online regarding mule deer seasons, the experimental mule deer antler restriction regulation, check station locations, dates and hours of operation, check station incentives, and drawing results.
It’s almost dove hunting season in Central Texas and beyond as September creeps into view. As hot as this summer has been, September, October, November can not get here soon enough! Really looking forward to some cooler weather, but not before a tried-and-true, sweat-it-out dove hunting opener.
September 1 is the opening day of dove hunting season across the state of Texas. , Yet again, Texas dove hunters can look forward to a liberal 90-day season and 15-bird daily bag limits.
In addition, hunters in Texas’ South Dove Zone have the opportunity to hunt every weekend in September thanks to the Special White-winged Dove Days September. 1, 2, 8, and 9, combined with a Sept. 14 zone opener, the earliest in half a century. Though hunting hours are limited to afternoons during the Special White-winged Dove Days (noon-sunset), hunters in the southern portion of the state are now able to take advantage of the earlier dates in which the majority of dove harvest in Texas occurs.
Each year, Texas hunters harvest nearly one third of the mourning doves taken nationwide. This far surpases the number of birds harvested in any other state. In recent years, an estimated 10 million doves are harvested in Texas annually. While Texas supports breeding populations of over 34 million mourning and 10 million white-winged doves, those numbers swell during the fall when birds from northern latitudes head south looking for warmer weather.
Texas is a Dove Hunting Hot Spot
“Texas is uniquely situated to catch a lot of migratory birds as they move through the central part of the continent. Couple that with the fact that we are such a big state with diverse habitats, and it makes sense that we have such large numbers of doves,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD Dove Program Leader.
“Despite the dry conditions this summer, we had excellent production very early in the spring thanks to a mild winter and good rains in February and March, so there are a lot of birds around,” Fitzsimmons said. “Unless we get significant rain in the next couple of weeks, hunters really need to key in on areas with water. That’s where the birds will be concentrated.”
Whitewings Boost Dove Hunting Bag
White-winged doves were historically found in the lower Rio Grande Valley, but they have rapidly expanded in numbers and distribution across Texas in recent years. According to Fitzsimmons, white-wing populations continue to grow and are making up a larger percentage of daily bag limits state-wide.
White-wings are now found mostly in and around urban areas, providing hunting opportunity for those hunting just outside major cities and urban centers.
Texas Dove Season Dates 2018-19
North Zone: Sept. 1 – Nov. 4 and Dec. 21-Jan. 14, 2019.
Central Zone: Sept. 1 – Nov. 4 and Dec. 21-Jan. 14, 2019.
Special White-winged Dove Days (entire South Zone): Sept. 1-2, 8-9.
South Zone: Sept. 14 – Oct. 30 and Dec. 14 – Jan. 21, 2019.
During the early two weekends for the Special White-winged Dove Days (in the South Zone), hunting is allowed only from noon to sunset and the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than two mourning doves and two white-tipped doves. During the general season in the South Zone, the aggregate bag limit is 15 with no more than two white-tipped doves.
Buy a License Prior to Dove Hunting
Hunters are reminded that licenses went on sale Aug. 15 for the 2018-19 hunting seasons and can be purchased through the agency’s 28 law enforcement field offices, at more than 50 state parks and over 1,700 retailers across the state. Licenses may also be purchased online through the TPWD website or by phone at (800) 895-4248. Call center hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and there is a required $5 administrative fee for each phone or online transaction. The online transaction system is available 24/7.
Hunting and fishing regulations for the new season are available in the Outdoor Annual in print, online and on the Outdoor Annual mobile app. A limited number of Outdoor Annual booklets can be picked up at any of the 1,700 license retailers. A Spanish language version is also available online.
In addition to a hunting license, anyone born after Sept. 1, 1971, must successfully complete a hunter education training course in order to hunt legally in Texas. The TPWD Hunter Education certification is valid for life and is honored in all other states and provinces. More information about hunter education is available online. If you misplace your certification you can print a replacement online at no cost.
Dove Hunting Fine Print
Don’t let those license clerks at some of the big box stores short you when it comes to getting your hunting license. Anyone that hunts migratory birds in the US needs to be certified to do so, but it’s as simple as a few questions. However, some license sales staff will skip right over it.
A Migratory Game Bird endorsement and Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification are required to hunt dove. HIP certification involves a brief survey of previous year’s migratory bird hunting success (number of harvested doves, ducks and geese) and is conducted at the time licenses are purchased.
The Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is offering exotic hunting for Sambar Deer this fall through the state’s Drawn Hunts. The Powderhorn, by the way, is the newest property on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s property list.
The WMA is so new that many hunters do not even know it exists or if so, where to find it. The Powderhorn WMA is located on the coast in Calhoun County immediately northwest of Port O’Connor, about 75 miles northeast of Corpus Christi, 110 miles southwest of Houston and 130 miles southeast of San Antonio.
Sambar Deer
The Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor) is a large deer native to the Indian subcontinent, southern China, and Southeast Asia that is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 2008. Sambar deer populations have declined substantially in their native range due to severe hunting and exploitation of the habitat found there.
It inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical seasonal forests, subtropical mixed forests with stands of conifers, broadleaved deciduous and broadleaved evergreen trees, to tropical rainforests, and seldom moves far from water sources. Obviously, the Powderhorn WMA meets all the needs of the Sambar Deer, providing evergreen live oak country and lots of surface water.
Sambar Deer by the Numbers
This species reminds me of a somewhat of cross between an Axis and an Elk. While much larger than Axis and just a little smaller than an Elk, Sambar bucks have an antler configuration similar to Axis (with typically six antler points). Sambar Deer measurements and more:
Shoulder heights of 40-60 inches
Body length of 5-9 feet
Body weights of 225-700 pounds
Shaggy coat from yellow-brown to dark gray
Long tail for a deer species
Nocturnal or crepuscular (like whitetail)
Diet consists of grasses, browse and fruits
Bucks dig antlers into urine-soaked soil (Mmmm good)
Female Sambar lack antlers
Powderhorn WMA Sambar Hunt
Hunting Sambar Deer and Other Game
In addition to Sambar Deer, the Powderhorn WMA has viable and huntable populations of whitetail deer, feral hogs, coyotes, Rio Grande Turkey, dove and waterfowl. Like much of Texas, bobwhite quail are also found there, but in limited numbers. Maybe increased management on the property leads to huntable quail populations down the road?
In my opinion, the 17,000+ acre Powderhorn WMA’s size, configuration and distribution of habitat means that the property should be a honest to goodness public hunting mecca within the state’s hunting system. Keep an eye out for the Powderhorn and best of luck in getting out there for a Sambar Deer hunt. And if you are lucky enough to have been drawn, please share your experience with us in the comment section. Thank you!
By Colleen Schreiber, Livestock Weekly, A – Drones are growing in popularity. While many use these unmanned aerial vehicles for recreation, the growth is really in commercial applications. So how about drones for deer surveys?
All sorts of entrepreneurs are finding innovative ways to use drones to improve efficiency and accuracy for everyday applications. Already, drones are being tested, and in some cases used, for package delivery, even delivery of food. The military has been using drones for many years, and the agriculture industry is making greater use of them as well, everything from use in precision ag for crops to monitoring of water supplies, fencing, and livestock.
They’re also being tested as a means to gather and move livestock, more specifically serving as a spotter of sorts for those on the ground.
Researchers Eye Drones for Deer Surveys
Now the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is investigating the possible use of drones to conduct annual deer surveys for monitoring populations and proposing harvest recommendations. The initial research work is being done by scientists at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. Some of their initial findings were presented by Dr. Randy DeYoung at the recent Deer Associates annual gathering here.
DeYoung started with a discussion on some generalities. First he outlined some reasons for investigating the use of drones for wildlife surveys, noting in particular that there are some “real serious limitations” with the current survey methodologies, be it with helicopter, fixed wing aircraft, spotlight counts, or game camera surveys.
“We’re not seeing all the deer, for example,” said DeYoung. “Consequently, if we survey the same pasture two or three times, we’re going to get very different counts, sometimes a 50 to 100 percent difference. That’s primarily because we’re relying on animals to move, and at some times of the day and/or on different days, they just don’t move.”
He offered some plausible reasons for investigating the use of drones for wildlife aerial surveys. Perhaps at the top of that list is safety. “Aircraft is probably one of the most significant causes of death of biologists,” said DeYoung.
Another benefit of drones over current methods is that the industrial grade drones offer thermal or infrared technology, which means surveys could be done at night, when deer are typically more active.
Conducting Deer Surveys Using Drones
While drone technology has come a long way in a relatively short period of time, there are still some limitations. With respect to the possibility of using them for wildlife censusing, DeYoung acknowledged that flying time, for example, could be a limitation. Some of the smaller, less-expensive drones may only allow for 10 to 20 minutes of flying, he said, though technology is improving, and flight durations are better for the more expensive types.
The Federal Aviation Administration has also implemented regulations on drones, and those regulations are likely to increase. Weather may also be an issue for the small drones, as they can easily be blown around in windy conditions. Visibility may be an issue as well, DeYoung said.
“Can we use these in the South Texas brush? Also, we may be able to count the animals, but can we tell sex and age or can we even tell fawns from adults? Those are real important things from a management perspective,” he pointed out.
The goal of this initial research, he said, was first to investigate the feasibility of drones for wildlife surveys and then, depending on that outcome, develop some protocols for surveying populations using drones. On the latter, such issues as procedures for how the drones are flown, reviewing the footage — what’s a deer and what’s not. In other words, the counting with drones will not be done in real time, and therefore the images may not be all that clear as to whether a “blob” seen on the infrared footage is a deer or a coyote, for example. Also, observers may see something on the tape differently each time it’s viewed.
“We will need to find out if the results are repeatable,” DeYoung pointed out. “Can different people look at the footage and come up with something very similar?”
Investigating Drones for Deer Surveys
Turning to the actual study, he said stage one simply focused on learning about the capabilities of the various drone technology by doing some actual test flights. Stage two focused more on actual evaluations. Researchers were able to take advantage of the long-term research ongoing on the Comanche and Faith ranches in southwest Texas. Because each of the ranches already had 200-acre enclosures with known deer densities, researchers recognized they could compare their drone surveys with a relatively known population of wild deer.
As for the types of drones tested, one was a small recreational-type drone easily purchased online. With this model they did some daytime flights where they tested different altitude capabilities and camera angles.
“At this point we really weren’t trying to do counts,” DeYoung commented. “We were basically just testing how far the drone could fly and what we could really see from the air.”
One fact was obvious, DeYoung said. They did not see many deer unless the deer were running, and the deer only seemed to react to the drone when it got down to the 50 to 60-foot level. “In quite a few cases, that proved to be a bit hazardous,” DeYoung said. “There were some pretty tall mesquite trees that we had to dodge.”
Drone Survey Methods
Researchers also worked with a commercial partner in this initial phase to do some test flights at night using infrared technology. First, DeYoung acknowledged that this commercial drone was considerably more expensive. The platform was not that different, but the camera and sensor, he said, are in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.
In the initial flight, the operator attempted 100 percent coverage of the 200-acre enclosure. Consequently, DeYoung estimated transacts overlapped by about 10 percent. He attributed this to the fact that their commercial applicator’s primary business is mapping, where they are stitching together a bunch of views into one map.
“It was really difficult on the observer watching the footage, because sometimes it was hard to know if you’d already counted those deer that were right on the edge,” he explained. “We did notice that as the drone was turning right at the boundary of the enclosures that sometimes it spooked the deer, and so those deer could have run over into the next transect.”
Also, the same observer watched the taped footage several different times to see how consistent the counts were. DeYoung pointed out that all of the javelinas and pigs were removed from the enclosures, though occasionally a coyote or a bobcat comes through. The point being that even though the deer were the only large animals in the enclosures, when viewing the footage, there were instances when it could not be definitively determined that what was seen was indeed a deer.
Though there were some variations between views of the same footage, in general the drone sightings pretty well tracked the trends of relative known deer density in the enclosure. “We learned some things with this initial valuation, DeYoung told listeners, “but it looks pretty promising.”
More Drone Surveys for Deer
Another set of surveys were done with a different corporate partner and a slightly different setup. This particular drone incorporated thermal technology, thus the surveys could be done during the day and at night. Researchers were also interested in doing another video camera valuation — an optical count — as well.
“This type of sensor and camera would require pretty deep pockets,” DeYoung admitted. This time, they flew multiple flights on two of the enclosures on each of the ranches.
“We wanted to see again how variable the counts were from flight to flight,” DeYoung said. “We also wanted to see if reducing the overlap would help the observers in their counts.”
Strip width was about 100 yards, flown at about 130 feet above the ground. With this approach, researchers estimated that they covered about 63 percent of the 20-acre enclosures. What they found was that again, with the optical count, if the deer were not moving out in the open, it was difficult to see them.
“Our early assessment is that the smaller drone with simple video capabilities will have limited use for our purposes,” DeYoung said. The drone equipped with the thermal sensor again looked “pretty good” for both daytime and nighttime surveys.
“We still had some variation among drone surveys and then views, either different people or the same person viewing the same survey over and over,” he said. “Again, it was the ‘blob or deer’ thing; sometimes it was just difficult to tell if it was a deer.”
Nonetheless, in phase two with the other commercial partner, the drones again tracked relative density quite well, though there was some undercounting. “We will have to come up with an objective protocol for when we call it a deer or not a deer or uncertain,” said DeYoung.
Also, it was pretty clear that identifying age and sex would be difficult, thus making it impossible to determine a fawn crop, for example. Finally, range and duration of the drone is likely to be a limitation for large ranches.
“Maybe we can develop a protocol for larger survey areas using different percent coverage, things like that,” DeYoung told listeners. “All that to say there’s more work to do.”
TPWD on Using Drones for Deer
Mitch Lockwood, TPWD’s big game program director, closed out the discussion with a few comments. He acknowledged that the department continues to field calls from landowners and from their own biologists about the feasibility of drones for technical guidance purposes and for use in their Managed Lands Deer program.
“Everyone recognizes the potential,” Lockwood said, “but there are some obvious limitations.” He also noted that a drone is considered an aircraft, so federal law requires an air and wildlife management permit for wildlife surveys or other wildlife management uses.
“Also, there are major limitations to using drones for deer surveys at night. We need to look deeper into that,” he concluded.
The 2016 Texas quail season served as a renaissance reminder of how good hunting can be when all the right elements converge. Specifically, weather and habitat aligned to create a “super boom” year for quail production that led to exceptional hunts the likes of which had not been seen in many years.
Quail enthusiasts are hoping some of that magic will carry over this fall when the season gets under way Saturday, Oct. 28. For that to happen, a sizable percentage of last year’s birds will have to carry over as well, according to wildlife biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department,
Texas Bobwhite Production Good
This year’s quail production, although not as robust as last year’s, is expected to be adequate to sustain populations in areas having suitable habitat. Heading into 2017, average amounts of late winter and spring rainfall set up sufficient nesting cover, winter forage and enough insects to trigger nesting. A lack of timely rainfall during the summer, however, may have hurt chick survival.
“Portions of South Texas and the Rolling Plains regions were in moderate drought during mid-summer, which may have negatively impacted brood survival,” said Robert Perez, quail program leader with TPWD. “Hunters will likely see more adult bobwhites in the bag compared to more productive years.”
Looking at Quail Surveys
TPWD projections are based on annual statewide quail surveys that were initiated in 1978 to monitor quail populations. This index uses randomly selected, 20-mile roadside survey lines to determine annual quail population trends by ecological region. This trend information helps determine relative quail populations among the regions of Texas.
Comparisons can be made between the mean (average) number of quail observed per route this year and the long term mean (LTM) for quail seen within an ecological region. The quail survey was not designed to predict relative abundance for any area smaller than the ecological region.
A regional breakdown of this year’s TPWD quail index survey, including highlights and prospects, is available online.
Texas Quail Hunting
Quail hunting season runs through Feb. 25, 2018. The daily bag limit for quail is 15, with 45 in possession. Legal shooting hours for all non-migratory game birds are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The bag limit is the maximum number that may be killed during the legal shooting hours in one day.
Anthrax is a fatal disease that impacts both wildlife and domestic animals. Anthrax usually shows up in the heat of summer following above average spring rainfall. It is highly contagious and impacts white-tailed deer populations negatively in the areas where the disease is present.
Anthrax in Ozona?
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials confirmed anthrax in 5 cattle on a Crockett County premises. This is the first anthrax case in Texas for 2017. Wildlife species have not been documented at this time.
The property where anthrax has been confirmed is located approximately 13 miles east of Ozona and has been quarantined. TAHC rules require proper disposal of affected carcasses and vaccination of other cattle on the premise prior to release of the quarantine.
Monitoring Anthrax in Crockett Co.
“The TAHC will continue to closely monitor the situation,” said Dr. Susan Rollo, TAHC State Epidemiologist. “Producers are encouraged to remain vigilant and consult with their local veterinary practitioner if they suspect their animals are affected with anthrax or are interested in vaccinating their livestock.”
What is Anthrax?
Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, which is a naturally occurring organism with worldwide distribution, including certain parts of Texas. Anthrax cases in Texas are historically found in the triangular area bound by the towns of Uvalde, Ozona and Eagle Pass. This area includes portions of Crockett, Val Verde, Sutton, Edwards, Kinney and Maverick counties. A vaccine is available for use in susceptible livestock in high risk areas.
Acute fever followed by rapid death with bleeding from body openings are common signs of anthrax in livestock. Carcasses may also appear bloated and appear to decompose quickly. Livestock or animals displaying symptoms consistent with anthrax should be reported to a private veterinary practitioner or a TAHC official.
If Anthrax is Suspected
If affected livestock or carcasses must be handled, producers are encouraged to follow basic sanitation precautions such as wearing protective gloves, long sleeve shirts and washing thoroughly afterward to prevent accidental spread of the bacteria to people.
If anthrax is suspected on your Crockett County property or elsewhere contact the TAHC.
The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) has named the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as the recipient of its 2017 Agency of the Year Award. The award was presented at QDMA’s 2017 National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, in recognition of the agency’s commitment to a strong deer management program.
“The white-tailed deer is a charismatic symbol that has come to represent the importance of wildlife conservation in Texas,” said QDMA founder Joe Hamilton. “The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department understands deer hunting is an essential and longstanding contributor to the state’s culture, economy, and motivator for land stewardship.”
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s signature deer management program has been so successful that its 80 wildlife biologists work with over 10,000 properties on 25 million acres, including nearly 200 wildlife Cooperatives actively receiving deer harvest and management recommendations. Texas is one of only a few states with a wildlife Cooperative program that includes a dedicated Cooperative staff member and incentives for participating landowners.
“Successful management of white-tailed deer is dependent on a strong partnership with hunters and landowners,” said Kip Adams, “QDMA’s Director of Education and Outreach. TPWD’s engagement of hunters has been a catalyst to spark that partnership for wildlife and habitat conservation.”
Additionally, according to data compiled by QDMA for its annual Whitetail Report, Texas has one of the best buck age structures in the whitetail’s range. During the 2015-2016 deer season, only 23 percent of bucks harvested by hunters were 1.5 years old while 59 percent were 3.5 years old or older.
Fall fronts will soon start pushing the earliest of ducks, the blue-winged teal, down from the north. With the arrival of our northern friends we can’t help but ponder the Texas duck hunting forecast for the 2017-18 season. September is just weeks away, so there are a number of reasons to break out and dust off your ole shotgun.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released its report this week on 2017 Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, based on surveys conducted in May and early June by FWS and the Canadian Wildlife Service. Overall duck numbers in the survey area remain high.
Total populations were estimated at 47.3 million breeding ducks in the traditional survey area, which is similar to last year’s estimate of 48.4 million and is 34 percent above the 1955-2016 long-term average. The projected mallard fall flight index is 12.9 million birds, similar to the 2016 estimate of 13.5 million.
Duck Numbers and Texas Hunting
The main determining factor for duck breeding success is wetland and upland habitat conditions in the key breeding landscapes of the prairies and the boreal forest. Conditions observed across the U.S. and Canadian survey areas during the 2017 breeding population survey were generally similar to last year with a few exceptions.
The total pond estimate for the United States and Canada combined was 6.1 million, which is 22% above the 2016 estimate of 5.0 million and 17% above the long-term average of 5.2 million. These robust numbers already suggest that duck hunting within Texas, a major destination for ducks in the Central Flyway, is going to be great.
“The surveys indicate that wetland conditions and populations of most frequently harvested ducks remain above the long-term average, and for most species, populations were at or above those from last year,” said DU Chief Scientist Tom Moorman. “This is great news for waterfowlers who can now turn their attention to preparing habitat, tuning up dogs and relentlessly watching the weather forecasts for the onset of fall and winter weather that will push the birds on their annual southward migration.
Duck Hunting Good, Some Species Still Low
While total duck numbers are well above long-term averages there are still a couple of species that still are showing no substantial turnaround in population numbers. One diving duck, the northern pintail, and one diver, the lesser scaup, still have numbers that could improve. The pintail drake, a very regal bird, is a highly-sought duck in Texas and elsewhere.
“DU remains concerned about northern pintails and scaup in particular, as the survey information continues to indicate these two species remain below their long-term average (LTA) populations. Both species have struggled to regain desired populations. We will continue to work with our many conservation partners to understand what drives populations of these two species. If science points to habitat limitations as contributing factors, we’ll rely on the science to develop conservation solutions to help restore populations of these birds.
“Hunters may notice in the report that mallards declined 11%, or about 1.3 million birds, from 2016. The bulk of that appears to be related to drier conditions in the Canadian parklands region, where the surveys detected about 0.6 million fewer mallards. Overall, mallard populations remain in great shape, and FWS estimates the mallard fall flight will be similar to last year.
Texas Hunters, Ducks Benefit from Habitat Boom
“Hunters should always remember that habitat and populations are going to vary over time, so we must keep focused on habitat conservation efforts over the long term. Ultimately, we need to maintain landscapes so that when precipitation and other conditions are right, the ducks will respond, produce more ducks and provide us all with a nice return on our conservation investments.”
Although most migratory game bird populations remain abundant, when and where birds will be encountered depends on many factors. Food availability, habitat and weather conditions, and other factors all influence local bird abundance, distribution, behavior and, ultimately, hunter success.
The spring surveys provide the scientific basis for many management programs across the continent, including hunting regulations. Individual states set their hunting seasons within a federal framework of season length, bag limits and dates. Hunters should check the rules in their states for final dates and bag limits.
Duck Population Estimates for 2017
Mallards: 10.5 million, 11% lower than 2016 and 34% above LTA
Gadwall: 4.2 million, 13% above 2016 and 111% above LTA
American wigeon: 2.8 million, 19% below 2016 and 6% above LTA
Redheads: 1.1 million, 13% below 2016 and 55% above LTA
Canvasbacks: 0.7 million, similar to 2016 and 25% above LTA
Scaup: 4.4 million, 12% below 2016 and 13% below LTA
Habitat condition will be a factor by Texas duck hunting region as the season approaches and gets underway. Often times, duck numbers can be high overall but without adequate surface water, which turns otherwise dry areas into duck feeding hot spots, the daily hunts can be far from spectacular. But right now, most hunters should consider the Texas duck hunting forecast for the 2017-18 season good to excellent for their region.
Hunters can view all the data and get a species-by-species breakdown by visiting the Ducks Unlimited website.
Ducks Unlimited (DU) has achieved a conservation milestone with more than 14 million acres of habitat conserved in North America. The groundbreaking number is a cumulative accomplishment of the millions of DU volunteers and partners who have been a part of the organization over the past 80 years.
DU’s Wetland Habitat Programs Grow
“As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, this milestone is a fitting tribute to the hard work of each and every volunteer, partner and staff member who has contributed to our mission over the past 80 years,” said DU CEO Dale Hall. “If not for their dedication and commitment to conservation, this accomplishment would not have been possible.”
Such conservation gains did not come easily in the face of ongoing threats to waterfowl and their habitats. Loss of wetlands across North America is a challenge DU volunteers take seriously, and their efforts will continue into the future. Although DU has successfully conserved more than 14 million acres of critical wetlands and associated habitat since our founding in 1937, wetland losses continue.
Texas Prairie Wetlands Project
The Texas Prairie Wetlands Project (TPWP) started in 1991 when DU teamed up with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The results has been tremendous for wetland habitat, wintering waterfowl and Texas property owners, particularly those along the Gulf Coast.
TPWP projects focus on harvested croplands, moist-soil areas, emergent wetlands and other created wetlands to increase biodiversity for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent species.
In return, landowners sign a minimum-10-year wetland development agreement and commit to managing and maintaining the wetlands. TPWP works closely with rice producers to improve fields and infrastructure for water conservation, production and habitat management.
Each year, TPWP projects provide critical staging and wintering habitat for thousands of waterfowl, including white-fronted geese, snow geese, northern pintails, green- and blue-winged teal, gadwalls, northern shovelers and redheads. Local birds also benefit greatly. Resident fulvous and black-bellied whistling ducks, as well as mottled ducks, rely heavily on permanent and semi-permanent wetlands for nesting and brood rearing during the spring and summer.
Many landowners utilize TPWP projects for goose and duck hunting leases and ecotourism. Many sites are also on historic agricultural fields. By working with private landowners to increase and restore wetland habitats, water quality and water quantity, an issue of great concern in Texas, can be improved.
Mitigating Wetland Loss
In the last 50 years alone, the United States has lost more than 17 million acres of wetlands. As human populations grow, demands for clean and plentiful water for use at home and in many agricultural and industrial processes also increase.
DU, working with partners, provides valuable, on-the-ground solutions that benefit waterfowl populations and maximize water resources through the dynamic natural functions of wetlands. In addition to providing habitat for waterfowl, wetlands naturally slow and store water to help recharge watersheds and aquifers, improve water quality through biological and physical processes and provide important wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.
Waterfowl Management Through Habitat Conservation
“DU’s policy efforts and the hard work of our volunteers, partners and staff will be more important than ever in the coming years,” said Dr. Tom Moorman, DU’s acting chief conservation officer. “DU, along with our waterfowl conservation partners at the state, federal and private levels, must continue with the cooperative progress that led to 14 million acres conserved, and expand that effort wherever possible to meet ongoing or new threats to wetlands and waterfowl habitat in North America.”
The groundbreaking number is a perfect example of how hunters and others with a passion for waterfowl and wetlands conservation can come together for a common goal.
DU’s mission has always been to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and associated habitat for North America’s waterfowl, and this milestone is a direct reflection of that statement.
About Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 14 million acres throughout Texas and the U.S. thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent.
Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.
The Managed Lands Deer Permit (MDP) Program offered by TPWD has been around almost two decades and has experienced some changes this year. Land owners that have participated in the past as well as those interested in enrolling for the 2017-18 deer hunting season must register online before the deadline.
The MLDP program offers two different options starting this year, the Conservation Option (CO) and the Harvest Option (HO). Both offer landowners/hunters the ability to receive deer tags for the property that they own or hunt. The program is intended to help with deer management and/or hunting, but the two options are different in terms of how can help.
Conservation Option Vs. Harvest Option
After reading guidelines for the voluntary program, it appears that the Conservation Option offers the most opportunity for a property owner to effectively manage the deer found on a property. However, it does require that the landowner perform 3 “department-approved habitat management practices each year.”
It also requires that properties participating in CO perform deer surveys each year. For those interested in managing the deer found on their property this seems like stuff you will already be doing. The deadline for signup in August 1.
The HO is different. It does not require any management practices on the participating property and it does not required that annual deer surveys be performed. Deer permits are issued using some formula based on the property. TPWD has developed a HO Tag Estimator that determines how many tags a particular property will get. Here is a good article discussing how to use the MLDP tag estimator for the upcoming deer season. The deadline for HO signup is also August 1.
When a person goes to register a property for MLDP enrollment in either option the system asks for a map of the property. This same map is (presumably) used to determine deer harvest recommendations under the HO but deer survey data is used to make harvest recommendations under the CO (since it’s required for the option).
MLDP Enrollment
Per TPWD, “The MLDP program is intended to foster and support sound management and stewardship of native wildlife and wildlife habitats on private lands in Texas. Deer harvest is an important aspect of habitat management and conservation. Landowners enrolled in either the MLDP Harvest Option or Conservation Option are able to take advantage of extended season lengths and liberalized harvest opportunities.”
MLDP participation is completely voluntary, but better deer herd management and longer deer hunting seasons are very compelling, especially with regard to the Conservation Option. I can envision situations where the Harvest Option may be a good idea for certain properties as well.
The MLDP enrollment deadlines for each option are rapidly approaching, August 1, so whether you have participated in the past or are consider register for the upcoming hunting season, act fast. Just remember that once enrolled, program participants must meet MLDP requirements for the full year of enrollment. The specific information on each option can be found here.
