Lake Conroe Guide

TPWD�s Top 10 Texas Conservation News Stories of 2007

EDITORS NOTE: In this issue of TPWD News, we forsake our usual format for the most part and provide a summary of the top news stories of 2007. Details about these topics can be found in the department’s online news archive. Please note that TPWD will not be distributing weekly news during the coming holidays. Weekly news distribution will resume on Jan. 14, 2008. Happy Holidays!

First Texas Spring Alligator Hunting Season Starts April 1

AUSTIN, Texas — For the first year in “non-core” counties outside historical alligator habitat in southeast Texas, a spring alligator hunting season will run April 1-June 30. The new regulation comes as people continue to move into alligator habitat across Texas, and state biologists try to provide more hunting opportunity and another means to proactively manage conflicts between people and alligators.

Kite Tube Manufacturer Issues Recall

AUSTIN, Texas — In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Sportsstuff, Inc., of Omaha, Nebraska, voluntarily recalled about 19,000 Wego Kite Tubes July 13.

more kite tube injury news

Urban Areas to be Fishing Hotspots this Spring and Summer

AUSTIN, Texas — Anglers in eight Texas cities will benefit from a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department program that will stock catchable-size channel catfish in selected Community Fishing Lakes every two weeks during April, May, June, July, September and October.

Budweiser Sharelunker Program Offers Prizes

ATHENS, Texas — Catching a Budweiser ShareLunker — a largemouth bass weighing 13 pounds or more — is its own reward, an accomplishment shared by a relative handful of anglers.

TPWD Announces Catch and Release Record Category

AUSTIN, Texas — Beginning Jan. 1, 2006, Texas anglers will no longer have to kill a fish to have it considered for a state record.

Host of Holiday Events Set at Texas State Parks

AUSTIN, Texas — Few aspects of Christmas season bring joy to so many as do holiday lights, whether they decorate a Christmas tree, adorn gingerbread-trimmed Victorian homes or illuminate courthouses in many Texas communities.

Lake Houston State Park Transfer Proposed

AUSTIN, Texas — On Nov. 3, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission heard a proposal to transfer Lake Houston State Park from the state park system to the City of Houston. Commissioners directed Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff to move forward with formal negotiation with the city and to hold a Dec. 5 local meeting to get public input. The commission could approve the transfer at its Jan. 25 meeting.

Lake Conroe Grass Carp Hearing

Urgent Press Release for ALL Texas Anglers Important Public Hearing you MUST attend!

Tuesday, November 15th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Lone Star Convention Center, 9055 Airport Road (FM 1484) Conroe, Texas

First Statewide Conference on Invasive Plants Scheduled

AUSTIN, Texas — On Nov. 17 and 18, 2005, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin will convene the first statewide conference in Texas on non-native invasive plants as part of the Pulling Together Initiative. Conference planning is led by a coalition of interested parties who recognize the importance of creating networks of information about the potentially negative impacts of non-native invasive plant species. The coalition includes: the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Texas Forest Service, Houston Area Research Council, Texas Nursery & Landscape Association, National Biological Information Infrastructure, and the Texas Department of Agriculture.