AUSTIN, Texas — For many a veteran angler, the pinnacle of a fishing career comes with the explosion of chromed muscle that signals his first tarpon hook-up. That experience was once common on the Texas Gulf coast; so common, in fact, that through the 1950s, tarpon tournaments were commonplace and presidents and potentates made the journey to the third coast to catch a “silver king.”

Ducks Unlimited was awarded a North American Wetlands Conservation grant to enhance over 5,728 acres of wetland habitat in Chambers and Jefferson counties along the Texas coast. Partners contributed more than $2 million to match the $1 million received from the federal grant. The project will restore high priority wintering habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds within the Chenier Plain of Texas.

Texas continues to lead the nation in whitetail deer sales. Two weeks ago, the nation’s largest state association dedicated to whitetail deer — the Texas Deer Association (TDA) — welcomed hundreds of deer enthusiasts to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and raised more than $850,000 at its 1st Annual Spring Gala Banquet and in Grapevine, Texas.

Texas Parks & Wildlife TV Program - Weekly schedule and show descriptions for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has recently been updated.

Changes proposed for the 2009-10 Texas dove season include a 70 day season and 15 bird daily bag statewide, pending adoption of federal guidelines.

Her research includes determining the home range, assessing the health and measuring yearly antler growth of mature mule deer bucks. Global Positioning System radio collars tuned to specific frequencies last about two years. The collars enable Sumner to obtain home range sizes and movement by determining the location of each deer every five hours.

Game Warden Tracy Large of Seguin has been honored by the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) for his efforts in conserving America’s wildlife. Large was recognized as the NWTF’s Texas Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting here March 26.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission today approved a number of proposed changes to freshwater fishing regulations, including the state’s first measure aimed at protecting alligator gar. The prehistoric-looking predators can live as long as 75 years and are the largest freshwater fishes in Texas.