Despite recent test results showing zebra mussel DNA to be present in several North Texas reservoirs, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) officials remain hopeful that the invasive aquatic species is still confined to Lake Texoma.

Dates for the highly-anticipated return of the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC), the world championship of professional bass fishing and country music festival, were announced today with all of the action set to begin Friday, Sept. 28.

If you’re a saltwater angler and don’t like the idea of hundreds of abandoned crab traps catching and killing game fish you could have landed, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is looking for volunteers willing to help get rid of these derelict traps along the coast.

Today, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation board of trustees voted to donate $500,000 to Texas State Parks, hoping to encourage more donations to aid the state park system, which is facing a $4.6 million revenue shortfall caused by heat, drought, wildfires and a drop in park visitation.

Student artists across Texas in grades K — 12 take notice: It’s time to start preparing your entries for the 2012 Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest.  The contest is open to all students in public, private or home schools. Entry deadline is March 31 each year.

The thrilling conclusion of this year’s Toyota Texas Bass Classic will air nationally in over 75 million homes this Saturday at 1 p.m. Eastern (Noon Central) on Versus, a member of the NBC Sports Group. Following two days of fierce competition, an exciting finale awaits the national viewing audience as the final weigh-in promises a finish unlike any in tournament history.

The opening day of this year’s Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) will be available in over 75 million homes when the tournament airs this Saturday at 1 p.m. Eastern (Noon Central) on Versus, a member of the NBC Sports Group.

When an unknown number shows up on the caller ID, Weatherford Downtown Café owner Britton Schweitzer just lets it go to voicemail.  “It’s usually people trying to sell me stuff, not Texas Parks and Wildlife calling because I won an amazing hunt,” Schweitzer said

The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC), the world championship of professional bass fishing, had to go into overtime to crown a champion. Keith Combs of Huntington, Texas, outlasted Mike Iaconelli of Pittsgrove, New Jersey, in an unprecedented sudden death fish-off.

Texas waterfowlers might have better luck bringing in birds with a divining rod instead of a duck call this hunting season. Wetland habitat conditions throughout waterfowl wintering grounds in Texas have suffered greatly under the drought, and what precious little groceries that remain aren’t expected to hold birds for long.