The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is inviting public participation in a major revision of its 2005 Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan.

The Fall/Winter issue of the Staying Afloat Newsletter on Boater Education is now available on the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Website.

Stocking dates are always subject to change on short notice. Be sure to check the online schedule for the most recent updates before leaving home!

The Budweiser Sharelunker Program has received its second entry of the 2008-2009 season, caught by 16-year-old Kyle Nitschke in Lake Conroe.

The online public comment period is 04:00 p.m. December 8, 2008, through 05:00 p.m. January 14, 2009.

The Nature Conservancy of Texas has purchased the 7,000-acre Fresno Ranch in far West Texas and plans to transfer it to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the purchase price of about $2.6 million. The deal culminates 20 years of work to remove the largest remaining in-holding inside Texas’ biggest state park, expands hiking and public access, and protects desert springs, Rio Grande river frontage, diverse wildlife and rich cultural resources.

Nov. 30 is the deadline to submit nominations for the Lone Star Land Steward Awards, which recognize Texas private landowners who excel at habitat management and wildlife conservation on their lands.

Noon — Update 6

Below is information sent by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to the Governor’s Press Office today. The governor’s office is coordinating official communication about Ike for the State of Texas, including TPWD activities. The following information is provided as a service and convenience for TPWD’s audience.

"They advertise this as a hunt of a lifetime and I would agree," exclaimed Bridgers upon returning from three days of hunting desert bighorn sheep in the rugged mountains of West Texas. "This was probably the most physically demanding hunt I’ve ever been on, but it was also the most rewarding. I would never have the resources to buy a desert bighorn hunt, so I got mine the lucky way!"

Bonus Grants Round Set for June 2