| Hunting
Report - September 1 - 4, 2007 |
North Texas has had better than average rain fall this year going
into hunting season. The lakes are full. The fresh water has contributed
greatly to the growth of smartweed and millet, which should help
hold birds well this year.
Doves seem plentiful and the teal migration has begun. Bluewings
are starting to show and the lakes are brimming with water. A weak
cool front this week should bring more birds in. Dove season
runs through October 31, 2007 and the prospects look good. Teal
season runs September 15th through September 30th, with a bag limit
of 4
birds. See "2007-2008 Texas Hunting Rules, Regulations" below
for this year's seasons and limits.
Dave Morrison, TPWD's waterfowl program leader reports that "There
is lots of rain and water on the coast and we're looking at the third
highest population of bluewings on record heading this way, so it
could be unbelievable,". "Greenwings are also at near record
highs. But, with all the water we have, it could spread the birds
out. Everybody is going to get some of the gravy."
Both greenwing and bluewing teal numbers this year are about 50
percent above the long-term population averages, said Morrison. "The
September teal season has the potential to be one of the best in
the last several years," he added.
Make sure and visit our "2007-2008
Waterfowl Harvest Board" for an updated count as we go through
waterfowl hunting season. If you haven't seen our "Duck Man" video yet... you really should take a few minutes there. The video footage
was shot at Pintail Farms last year and the music is great. |
| 2007-2008
Texas Hunting Rules Regulations |
The upcoming
duck season guidelines, rules, regulations and bag limits were announced
August 23, 2007 by the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Commission. They conveyed parameters for what could
be one of the best waterfowl hunting seasons in many years.
Much of Texas has recieved copious amounts of rain throughout the
year. Lakes , lowlands, marshes and every other body of water seems
stocked at peak levels, with more coming. Mother Nature has also
blessed us with an abundance of re-seeded smartweed and millet that
came up beyond expectations.
Vernon Bevill, the program director for small game at the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department, presented data
showing
near record duck populations building to the North and improved
habitat conditions on the breeding grounds there and in Texas.
The data showed this year's
populations of the 10 most popular duck species up 14 percent
over last year with an estimated 41.2 million birds. These counts
are just below the all-time record of
43.8 million ducks recorded in 1999.
Here are this year's waterfowl hunting seasons and bag limits:
Early Teal -- Sept. 15-23 in the HPMMU and Sept. 15-30 in the
remainder of the state, bag limit of four teal in the aggregate.
(Previously approved by the commission May 24.)
North and South Zones -- Youth-only season Oct. 27-28, regular
season Nov. 3-25 and Dec. 8-Jan. 27.
High Plains Mallard Management Unit -- Youth-only season Oct.
13-14; Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 26-Jan. 27 for the regular season.
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| The Feed Plots
are ready |
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| Pintail Farms |
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| Ducks in Flight |
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| Dove Hunters |
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