TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION Nine members appointed by the Governor Make recommendations for law and policy changes Public hearings.

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION

Nine members appointed by the Governor

Make recommendations for law and policy changes

Public hearings

GAME WARDENS

DEPUTY GAME WARDEN

• works only in assigned areas

• non-salaried• 4 year term• assist private

land owners

GAME WARDEN• same powers and

privileges as a peace officer

• statewide jurisdiction

• can enforce any state law

• 500 in Texas

LISCENCES, PERMITS, AND STAMPS

LICENSE - document giving a person authorizing them to hunt or fish on public or leased lands and waterways.

PERMIT - document that allows a person to take part in a named activity.

STAMP - identify specific types or species of game or fish.

Hunter Education

• Born AFTER September 02, 1971

• 17 and older must obtain hunter education certification to hunt in Texas

• Minimum age to be certified is 9 years old

Hunting License

• Non-refundable• Replacement less than $10• Must be present on person when

hunting regardless of age and game hunted

• Must fill out the log on the back of the license for Whitetailed deer

Hunting LicenseTagging Wildlife

• Must fill out the back of tags

• CUT out the date

• Attach it to the carcass IMMEDIATELY

» Leg» Antler» Ear

TRESPASS LAW

Trespassing - entry by an individual without permission from the person in charge of the property.

**Any authorized TP&W employee may enter any land where wild game or fish may range or stray**

Shooting into private property can be considered trespassing

PUBLIC WATERWAYS

Public waters belong to the people of the state. The land bordering the water is often privately owned. Access to the water does not give access to the bank property

OFFENSES & PUNISHMENTMISDEMEANOR

CLASS A, B, OR C• Class C = $25-$500• Class B = $200-$2000– Can be jailed for Class B and higher

• Class A = $500-$4000• State Jail or Felony = $1500-$10000– Can have license suspended for 5 years– Can be forced to forfeit guns, truck, boat, etc…

OFFENSES & PUNISHMENT

MISDEMEANOR

• Felony punishment is an option

• Each animal is a separate offense

• Any game or fish taken legally becomes illegal when in possession with illegal game or fish

HUNTING PROVISIONS

ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES1. Hunt from any type of air land or

water vehicle.2. Hunt any protected animal 1/2

hour before sunrise or 1/2 hour after sunset.

3. Spotlighting – no artificial lighting can be used to hunt game animals

HUNTING PROVISIONS

ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES4. Wound or kill game without

making a reasonable effort to retrieve.

5. Harass hunters, trappers, and fishermen legally hunting or catching game. = $200-$2000 fine or 180days in jail

HUNTING PROVISIONS

ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES6. Cannot track wounded animal

across property lines without permission from land owner

7. Reasonable effort must be made to recover animals or face a Class A misdemeanor

HUNTING PROVISIONS

ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES8. Youth weekend for 16 years and

under include – deer, turkey, squirrel

9. Youth weekend for 15 years and under include – deer, turkey, squirrel, duck

HUNTING PROVISIONS

ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES10. Hunter orange required for

hunters on public land11.Must possess trappers license to

use traps

HUNTING PROVISIONS

ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES12. No dogs can be used to hunt

game animals13. No aircraft can be used to hunt

game animalsOPERATION GAME THIEF

1-800-792-GAME

HUNTING PROVISIONS

Firearms1. Pellet and air-guns not legal to

hunt game animals2. No silencers or sound suppressing

devices3. Shotguns are only legal for the

hunting of migratory birds

HUNTING PROVISIONS

Bows1. Anyone can use crossbows in

archery and in gun season2. There is no minimum pounds

required on a bow

HUNTING PROVISIONS

Legal Shooting Hours

1. Game animals and non-migratory birds:

• 1/2 hour before sunrise – 1/2 hour after sunset

2. Migratory birds: • 1/2 hour before sunrise – sunset

3. Special: White-wing dove are noon-sunset

HUNTING LEASES

ITEMS TO INCLUDE ON A HUNTING LEASE CONTRACTNames of all PartiesLength of LeaseDescription of Lease AreaLease PrivilegesLease Fee Liability StatementProvisions for DamagesHunting Rights Hunter Rights

TYPES OF LEASES

• Year Round Lease• Limited Lease• Day Hunt• Guided Hunt

• Texas Parks and Wildlife

Deer Lease List 1-800-792-1112

FISHING LICENSE

1. Must possess to take aquatic life2. NOT required if under 173. NOT required if born before

September,1 19304. NOT required if mentally

disabled or retarded

FISHING PROVISIONS

ILLEGAL ACTIVITES1. Using explosives2. Electric shock3. Bridge fishing4. Fishing tournament fraud5. Importing, possessing, selling, or

releasing harmful tropical fish into state waters

HERBIVORE

Eats green plants

Deer

Rabbit

Elk

OMNIVORE

Eats plants and meat

Bear

Hog

CARNIVORE

Meat Eater

Fox

Hawk

Coyote

TERMS

Abiotic - Non living.

Biotic - Living.

Consumer - Use food from producer to form substances needed for growth.

Decomposer - Break down dead organisms into simpler substances that can be reused.

Ecological Niche - The role of a plant or animal in its ecosystem.

TERMS

Ecosystem - The relationship of a biotic community with its environment.

Food Chain - The producer-prey relationship in an ecosystem.

Food Web - The relationship of several food chains.

Habitat - The place where a plant or animal lives.

TERMS

Inorganic - Matter not derived from plants and animals.

Organic - Pertaining to plant or animal matter.

Producer - Plants in a food chain that provide food for the consumer.

TERMS

Liability - legally bound or responsible to make good any loss or damage.

Over population - Wildlife numbers greater than the food and shelter supply needed for them to reproduce and grow to their maximum potential.

TERMS

Bag limit - The individual number of protected game or fish a person may take during a given time.

Closed season - The time when it is unlawful to hunt protected game.

Coastal Water - All of the salt water of the state.Ladders - A device used to allow fish to move

upstream.

TERMS

Open season - The time it is lawful to hunt protected game.

Protected animal - Any game animal, wild fowl, bird, fin fish, or non-fish species taken for sport or commerce whose population is regulated by TP&W.

Rough fish - Bony or rough fleshed fish species having no sport value.

TERMS

Exotic Game - Wildlife imported into a hunting area.

High Powered Firearm - Any rifle or handgun 22 caliber or larger.

Lessor - The person that buys the lease property from the landowner.

Lessee - The person that sells the lease property to the hunter.