Crossbows, two more days of the special white-winged dove season and some clarification on red snapper limits in state and federal waters are among the changes adopted for upcoming seasons by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Of most interest to Valley outdoors aficionados are the new regulations that make crossbows lawful archery equipment.
The crossbow, often fitted with optics these days, has become a popular tool for deer and hog hunting in other states, particularly with older hunters who may have trouble pulling a regular bow.
Also, two days will be added to the popular Special White-Winged Dove Days in the South Zone, which includes the Valley. Dates for when those two days will occur have not been released.
Hunting changes
– Eliminated the experimental pronghorn season in the northern Panhandle.
– Extended the general pronghorn season from nine days to 16 days statewide.
– Modified the muzzleloader definition to clarify only the bullet or projectile and powder must be loaded through the muzzle.
– Modified opening day for chachalacas to be concurrent with quail season.
– Aligned spring and fall wild turkey hunting seasons with consistent North and South Zone boundaries along Highway 90 starting in the fall of 2021.
– Allowed a statewide squirrel hunting season by opening the remaining closed counties to a year-round hunting season.
Freshwater fishing changes
The current statewide regulations for blue and channel catfish consist of a 12-inch minimum length limit and a 25-fish daily bag limit that combines both species. The changes remove the minimum length limit (fish of any length could be harvested) and retain the 25-fish daily bag. However, of the 25 blue or channel catfish that could be harvested per day, anglers will be limited to harvesting no more than 10 fish that measure 20 inches or longer.
Saltwater fishing
The TPWD board clarified red snapper bag limits when fishing in Texas and federal waters. Federal bag limit is two fish with a 16-inch minimum. State bag limit is four fish with a 15-inch minimum. The federal bag limit counts as part of the state bag limit for red snapper. Anglers may never have more than 4 red snapper in their possession while fishing.
Both freshwater and saltwater fishing regulations go into effect Sept. 21, 2021.
For more information regarding these amendments and hunting season dates for the 2021-22 seasons can be viewed on the TPWD website here: https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/
