The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is seeking public input on nearly a dozen proposed changes to state hunting regulations, including allowing crossbows as lawful archery equipment.
The changes, if approved, would take effect for the 2021-2022 hunting season.
In addition to authorizing the use of crossbows, the proposed changes would:
– Modify the muzzleloader definition to clarify only the bullet or projectile must be loaded through the muzzle.
– Remove the prohibition on trailing wounded deer with dogs in Angelina, Hardin, Nacogdoches, Orange, Shelby, and Tyler counties. In addition, allow the trailing of wounded deer to no more than two dogs on a leash in Jasper, Newton, Sabine, and San Augustine counties.
– Eliminate the experimental pronghorn season in the northern Panhandle and expand the general pronghorn season from nine to 16 days statewide.
– Modify opening day for chachalacas to be concurrent with quail season.
– Close Panola County to hunting eastern turkey season during the spring.
– Implement mandatory reporting for spring turkey hunting (April 1 – 30) in the “Western 1 Gobbler” counties in southcentral Texas.
– Align spring and fall wild turkey hunting seasons with consistent North and South Zone boundaries along Highway 90.
– Allow a statewide squirrel hunting season by opening the remaining closed counties to a year-round hunting season.
– Add two days of hunting opportunity in the Special White-winged Dove Area within the South Dove Zone.
– Establish season dates and daily bag limits for all migratory game bird hunting seasons.
Additional details on the proposed changes to the regulations can be found on the public comment page at TPWD online https://tpwd.texas.gov/business/feedback/public_comment .
No action will be taken until the public comment period concludes.
A Zoom webinar will be conducted by TPWD staff on March 16 at 7 p.m. It also will be posted on the TPWD YouTube channel and its Facebook page. Comments may be made on the changes at the public comment page until March 24.
To comment on the Zoom webinar, registration is required at https://esc11.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3KABkRJPT_qSV7CYEtaz6A .
For migratory game bird comments, or comments regarding upland game birds or squirrels, please contact Shaun Oldenburger, [email protected] .
For comments concerning pronghorn, please contact Shawn Gray, [email protected] .
For methods of take, please contact Alan Cain, [email protected] .
