The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has released a proposed set of comprehensive changes to hunting and fishing regulations across the state.

Three of the proposed changes would specifically have impacts on the South Plains; including one at Lake Alan Henry and the second in Lynn County. Plus there is a series of statewide changes too.

For Lake Alan Henry, officially the Alan Henry Reservoir, the changes would concern the fishing of largemouth and Alabama bass.

  • Alan Henry Reservoir: Modify the harvest regulations for largemouth and Alabama bass by removing Alabama bass from the current regulation (five-fish daily bag of which only two bass less than 18 inches may be harvested). Alabama bass would revert to the statewide limits (no length limit and five-fish daily bag in combination with largemouth bass).

In Lynn County, a new mule deer restriction is being proposed, "An experimental 20-inch minimum antler spread restriction regulation in Lynn County."

The TPWD is also considering creating a new hunting season for javelina in the following South Plains/Texoma counties: Borden, Dawson, Gaines, Hardeman, Scurry and Terry. Currently there is no javelina hunting allowed in those counties. Potential javelina hunting season dates could be between October 2019-February 2020.

Public comments concerning the proposed changes can be made online through March 19, 2019 by clicking here.

Here are the complete press releases from TPWD concerning the proposed changes:

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The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is accepting public comments on proposed changes to hunting and fishing regulations for 2019-2020. Fishing proposals include changes to alligator gar and largemouth bass limits. Hunting changes include implementation and expansion of white-tailed deer “doe days,” an experimental mule deer antler restriction in Lynn County, a clarification on turkey harvest requirements, and season dates and bag limits for migratory game birds.

The public is encouraged to provide comment on the proposed regulation changes. Opportunities to provide comments for or against these proposals include participation in Facebook Live Webinars, public hearings, online email and in-person meetings in select areas. Scroll down to check the appropriate section below for further information, including meeting locations and dates.

The proposed changes to freshwater fishing include modifications to the length limits and harvest regulations for largemouth bass, Alabama bass and alligator gar in certain areas. The proposed changes to alligator gar regulations also include a statewide nighttime prohibition on bow fishing, mandatory harvest reporting statewide except for Falcon Lake, and the creation of a drawing for harvest opportunity on the Trinity River.

TPWD will be taking public comment on the following proposed changes to the 2019-2020 Statewide Recreational Fishing Proclamation, with input to be considered before any action by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its March 20 public hearing:

  • Lake Conroe: Change current regulations for largemouth bass from a 16-inch minimum length limit and 5-fish daily bag limit to a 14-inch minimum length limit and 5-fish daily bag limit.
  • Lake Lakewood: Implement an 18-inch minimum length limit and three-fish daily bag for largemouth bass.
  • Mill Creek Lake: Change from a 14- to 21-inch slot length limit and five fish daily bag limit for largemouth bass to a 16-inch maximum length limit and five-fish daily bag with an exception allowing for possession and weighing for bass 24 inches or greater for possible submission to ShareLunker program.
  • Southeast Texas: Expand the area in Southeast Texas currently covered by the 12-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass to include Hardin County, Newton County (excluding Toledo Bend Reservoir), and Liberty County south of U.S. Highway 90.
  • Alan Henry Reservoir: Modify the harvest regulations for largemouth and Alabama bass by removing Alabama bass from the current regulation (five-fish daily bag of which only two bass less than 18 inches may be harvested). Alabama bass would revert to the statewide limits (no length limit and five-fish daily bag in combination with largemouth bass).
  • Trinity River: Enact a 48-inch maximum length limit for alligator gar on the Trinity River from the I-30 bridge in Dallas downstream to the I-10 bridge in Chambers County, including the East Fork of the Trinity River upstream to the dam at Lake Ray Hubbard.
  • Trinity River: A drawing will be implemented to allow selected anglers to harvest one alligator gar over 48 inches in length per year from the Trinity River. The limited entry system would allow non-transferable harvest authorization for a set number of alligator gar. Authorizations would be selected and distributed through a random draw of interested applicants.
  • Statewide: Between one half-hour after sunset and one half-hour before sunrise, no person may take or possess an alligator gar by means of lawful archery equipment or crossbow.
  • Statewide: All persons who take an alligator gar from the public fresh waters of the state other than Falcon International Reservoir would be required to report the harvest via the department’s website or by mobile app within 24 hours of take.

The public is encouraged to provide comment on the proposed regulation changes. Opportunities to provide comments for or against these proposals include:

  • Facebook Live Webinar: TPWD Inland and Coastal Fisheries staff will present proposed fishing regulation changes and answer questions in a Facebook Live webinar at noon Feb. 27 on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Facebook page.
  • Public hearings: TPWD staff will host several public hearings to receive input from stakeholders and constituents concerning the proposed regulation changes.
    • Conroe: Monday, March 4 at 7 p.m. at the San Jacinto River Authority Board Room, 1577 Dam Site Rd. Conroe Texas 77304.
    • Athens: Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m. at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Hart-Morris Conservation Center, 5601 Peninsula Point Rd., Athens 75752.
    • San Antonio: Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m.at the Lions Field Adult and Senior Center, 2809 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209.
    • Livingston: Wednesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at the Polk County Judicial Center, 101 W Mill St Livingston, TX 77351.
  • Online: Comments on the changes can be provided on the TPWD public comment page until March 19.
  • Phone or Email: Ken Kurzawski (512) 389-4591, email ken.kurzawski@tpwd.texas.gov.
  • In person: The TPW Commission will take public comment on the proposed changes at their meeting on Wednesday, March 20 in Austin. Public testimony will normally be limited to three minutes per person.

The proposed hunting changes include implementation and expansion of white-tailed deer “doe days,” an experimental mule deer antler restriction in Lynn County, a clarification on turkey harvest requirements, and season dates and bag limits for migratory game birds.

TPWD will be taking public comment on the following proposed changes to the 2019-2020 Statewide Recreational Hunting Proclamation, with input to be considered before any action by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its March 20 public hearing:

  • Refusal of program participation in Managed Lands Deer Programs (MLDP) for non-compliant properties in areas where chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing is required for all harvested deer.
  • A four-day antlerless deer season in 21 counties in south central Texas. Counties being considered include: Austin, Bastrop, Caldwell, Colorado, Dewitt, Fayette, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Karnes, Lavaca, Lee, Waller, Washington, and Wilson. In addition to these counties, Goliad, Jackson, Victoria, and Wharton counties north of U.S. Highway 59 and Comal, Hays, and Travis east of IH-35 would also be included.
  • Expansion of “doe days” in 20 counties from four to 16 days. Counties being considered include: Bell (east of IH 35), Burleson, Delta, Ellis, Falls, Fannin, Franklin, Freestone, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Limestone, Milam, Navarro, Rains, Smith, Titus, Van Zandt, Williamson (east of IH 35), and Wood.
  • An experimental 20-inch minimum antler spread restriction regulation in Lynn County.
  • A new season for javelina in six counties in the South Plains, to include: Borden, Dawson, Gaines, Hardeman, Scurry, and Terry counties.
  • Clarification that proof of sex is required for turkeys taken during seasons when the bag limit is gobblers only or gobblers and bearded hens (i.e., not either sex), and that it can remain attached to the harvested bird or accompany the harvested bird.
  • Establish seasons and bag limits for migratory game birds for 2019-2020.

The public is encouraged to provide comment on the proposed regulation changes. Opportunities to provide comments for or against these proposals include:

  • Facebook Live Webinar: TPWD staff will present proposed hunting regulation changes and answer questions in a Facebook Live webinar at noon Feb. 28 on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Facebook page.
  • Public hearings: TPWD staff will host several public hearings to receive input from stakeholders and constituents concerning the proposed regulation changes.
    • Brenham: Tuesday, March 5, 1305 East Blue Bell Rd., Brenham
    • LaGrange: Wednesday, March 6, TAMU AgriLife Extension Service, 255 Svoboda Ln., LaGrange
    • Victoria: Thursday, March 7, Pattie Dodson Health Center, 2805 Navarro, Victoria
    • Seguin: Wednesday, March 13, Texas AgriLife Extension Office, 210 East Live Oak, Seguin.
  • Online: Once the proposed regulations are published in the Texas Register, comments on the changes can be provided on the TPWD public comment page until March 19.
  • In writing: To TPWD, attn. Hunting Regulations Public Comment, 4200 Smith School Rd., Austin, TX 78744.
  • In person: The TPW Commission will take public comment on the proposed changes at their meeting on Wednesday, March 20 in Austin. Public testimony will normally be limited to three minutes per person.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is now accepting public comment on proposed changes to saltwater fishing regulations for 2019-2020. These changes are intended to streamline regulations for the entire Texas coast for spotted seatrout and modified regulations for certain species to be in line with federal rules to reduce confusion among anglers for sharks and cobia.

TPWD will be taking public comment on the following proposed changes to the 2019-2020 Statewide Recreational Fishing Proclamation, with input to be considered before any action by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its March 20 public hearing:

  • Extending the 5 fish bag limit for spotted seatrout to the upper coast, creating a coast-wide 5 fish bag limit.
  • Requiring the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing for sharks in state waters, except when fishing with artificial lures.
  • Increasing the minimum size limit to 40 inches total length for Cobia.
  • Closing oyster restoration areas in Galveston Bay, Matagorda Bay and Copano Bay for 2 harvest seasons.

The public is encouraged to provide comment on the proposed regulation changes. Opportunities to provide comments for or against these proposals include:

  • Facebook Live Webinar: TPWD Coastal Fisheries staff will present proposed fishing regulation changes and answer questions in a Facebook Live webinar at noon Feb. 27 on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Facebook page.
  • Public hearings: TPWD staff will be hosting several public hearings on the upper coast to receive input from stakeholders and constituents concerning the proposed regulation changes.
    • Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Nessler Civic Center 2010 5th Ave N, Texas City, TX 77590
    • Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Port Arthur Civic Center 3401 Cultural Center Dr; Port Arthur, TX 77642
    • Monday, March 4 at 6 p.m. at The San Jacinto River Authority 1577 Dam Site Rd, Conroe, TX 77304
  • Online: Once the proposed regulations are published in the Texas Register, comments on the changes can be provided on the TPWD public comment page until March 19.
  • Email: Tiffany Hopper, tiffany.hopper@tpwd.texas.gov
  • In person: The TPW Commission will take public comment on the proposed changes at their meeting on Wednesday, March 20 in Austin. Public testimony will normally be limited to three minutes per person.

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