Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners Wednesday approved several proposed changes to saltwater fishing regulations recommended by TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division staff. The changes include new regulations dealing with flounder, federal consistency issues for sharks and other species, and a paddle craft licensing and training program. Scoping of these issues has been ongoing since the fall of 2008.

Texas Game Warden Vance Wallace was recognized as the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies "Officer of the Year" today.

The doors will open at 5pm. Tickets are $75 per person, if prepaid on or before January 12th. A table of 8 is $800 and includes special gifts and reserved seating. On January 13th tickets are $100 per person and can only be purchased at the door. More detailed auction information will be available soon. Tickets and event packets will be picked up at the door.

The following are excerpts from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has transitioned away from political boundaries for the purpose of monitoring white-tailed deer populations and toward biologically-based communities or Resource Management Units (RMUs).

With dove season set to open Sept. 1 in the North and Central Dove Zones, hunters are again reminded to be sure they become Harvest Information Program-certified when buying their hunting license.