Believe it or not, it is perfectly legal to hunt, kill, and eat porcupines, armadillos, and badgers in Texas, even though the armadillo is the official Texas State Mammal (small). In the case of badgers, if you intend to sell the hide, you must have a TPWD trapper’s license. Ditto for otters. As for armadillos, hunters risk infection with leprosy--no joke.

The February issue of Texas Fish & Game magazine also has the exclusive details of a lawsuit filed by the Bushnell corporation against Non-Typical, Inc. for “false and misleading advertising.” The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas and alleges that Non-Typical, Inc.’s advertisements for its Cuddeback trail cameras are false and misleading. The lawsuit seeks an injunction against further false and misleading statements, and monetary damages. Although Bushnell announced the suit in a press release, details of the cause of action were not disclosed. Texas Fish & Game dug deeper and found the underlying cause for the suit--which was something of a surprise.

In the same issue, Texas Fish & Game staffers report on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) taking a close look at an old paper mill on the San Jacinto River east of Houston. The agency and U.S. Congressman Gene Green are concerned the waste pits on the property have allowed harmful and potentially cancer-causing dioxins to flow toward Galveston Bay. Due to the severity of the problem, EPA officials are considering turning the pits into a Superfund site.

Read the full details in the February issue of Texas Fish & Game magazine.