Posted 11:10 am Thursday, July 23, 2009
Outdoor Notes: TPWD Approves Crossbow Regulations
By STEVE KNIGHT
Outdoors Editor
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners, working in a special called meeting, approved regulations for the use of crossbows during the archery-only season in Texas beginning Sept. 26.
Outdoors Editor
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners, working in a special called meeting, approved regulations for the use of crossbows during the archery-only season in Texas beginning Sept. 26.
The rules became necessary after legislation by State Rep. Mark Homer, D-Paris, to allow the use of crossbows by all hunters during the early season passed during the last legislative session.
Previously, crossbows were restricted to use during the early season only to hunters with an upper limb handicap.
Under the rules adopted by the Commission, crossbows will be legal in all counties except Grayson County, a provision that was in the legislation. An exception in Grayson County will remain hunters with an upper limb handicap.
To be legal a crossbow must also have a 125-pound draw weight and must have a 25-inch minimum stock length.
Tips On Getting Hunting And Fishing Licenses
Texas hunting and fishing licenses for 2009-10 don't go on sale until Aug. 15, but there is a way for some to buy early and get a bargain.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is increasing the cost of all licenses 5 percent for the coming year. That means about a $2 jump for a hunting or fishing license and a $4 increase for a Super Combo.
Also moving on up will be the lifetime hunting and fishing license. Instead of the modest increase others are experiencing, lifetime licenses will be advancing substantially. Beginning with the new license year a lifetime hunting or fishing license will increase from $600 to $1,000. A lifetime combination license will be going from $1,000 to $1,800.
For those who might benefit from a lifetime license, the good news is that they can be purchased year-around meaning hunters and fishermen still have time to get in at the lower rate.
When is a lifetime license a good deal? According to TPWD a lifetime hunting license buyer breaks even at just under 14 years while a fishing license buyer and those buying a lifetime combination license break even at just under 16 years.
For more information on the lifetime license, contact any TPWD office where licenses are sold.
Gun Show This Weekend
G&S Promotions will host a Gun Show on the East Texas State Fairgrounds in Tyler Saturday and Sunday.
The show will be in the Commercial Exhibits Building. Show hours are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults. Children 12 and under are admitted free with an adult.
Clays Shoot Benefits March Of Dimes
Farmers Insurance Group will hold a sporting clays shoot benefit the March of Dimes Saturday at Rose City Flying Clays Saturday.
Registration for the Clays for Kids shoot will begin at 8 a.m.
Along with the shot there will be an auction for hunting gear and a gun.
For more information call 903-597-3345 or go online to
Volunteers Remove Hyacinth From Lake Quitman
Working with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, volunteers from three bass clubs removed seven dump truck loads of water hyacinth from Lake Quitman Saturday.
Members of the American Anglers club from Temple and Killeen, the Grand Saline and Lindale bass clubs helped the department open up the lake by removing the exotic plants.
The effort came a couple of weeks after TPWD's spray crew was on the lake treating the vegetation.
At Sam Rayburn Reservoir anglers helped the department do a lakewide search for giant salvinia.
"As we hoped, no giant salvinia was found during the event although some volunteers did bring in common salvinia," said Howard Elder, program leader for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's aquatic vegetation control program.
Elder said if the plant was on the lake it was located in the back of the creeks where bass boats couldn't go. He added everyone involved was glad to see the exotic species hadn't taken a foothold on the lake like it has at Caddo Lake.
