will be available beginning Monday, Aug. 15, and the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department is reminding customers to be aware of some
significant changes. All current annual hunting and fishing licenses
expire on Aug. 31.
– Lake Mohave
Two significant changes in special stamp endorsements passed during
the last legislative session will affect game bird hunters this year.
Rather than individual stamps for various game bird species, TPWD has
consolidated the special endorsements into two categories: upland and
migratory.
The white-winged dove stamp and waterfowl stamp are now combined
into a single Migratory Game Bird Stamp ($7), which will be required to
hunt all migratory game birds, including ducks, geese, white-winged
doves, mourning doves, white-tipped doves, sandhill cranes, woodcock,
snipe, rails, coots and gallinules.
The turkey stamp has been replaced by the Upland Game Bird Stamp
($7), which will be required to hunt all non-migratory game birds,
including turkey, quail, pheasant, chachalaca and lesser prairie
chicken.
Anyone who purchases the Super Combo license package automatically gets these needed stamps.
In addition to the migratory stamp endorsement, Harvest Information
Program (HIP) certification is required of all migratory game bird
hunters. HIP certification will be printed on the license at the time
of sale only after the purchaser answers a few brief migratory bird
questions. Lifetime license holders must also be HIP-certified to hunt
migratory birds and these new stamp changes are automatically included
in all lifetime licenses.
A sizable share of game bird hunters — those who hunt mourning dove
exclusively and quail hunters — will be buying stamps for the first
time. License sales data show that about 60 percent of all dove hunters
already purchase the white-winged dove stamp. TPWD also estimates that
only about 40 percent of quail hunters would feel an impact from the
new Upland Game Bird Stamp, since most quail hunters already buy
combination type licenses that include all needed stamps. The
department estimates that the two new stamps will generate up to $1.5
million per year in new revenue for conservation work.
Also new this year, TPWD is waiving all fees for hunting and fishing
licenses for Texas residents currently on active military duty in the
U.S. Armed Forces, including members of the Reserves or National Guard
on active duty. A Texas resident is defined as a person who has resided
continuously in the state for more than six months prior to applying
for a license. Active duty military personnel must show a current
military identification card and proof of Texas residency. The free
military license may be obtained at any license vendor location, but
not by phone or on the Internet. Activity duty military personnel will
get a “Super Combo” Hunting and All-Water Fishing Package (Type 510),
which includes all five state stamp endorsements (archery, freshwater
fishing, and migratory game bird, saltwater fishing with a red drum tag
and upland game bird). The Federal Waterfowl (duck) Stamp is not
included.
Texas issues 3.2 million hunting and fishing licenses annually
through 28 TPWD field offices, more than 100 state parks and at many
retailers across Texas.
Hunters and anglers can also purchase licenses by calling (800)
895-4248. The phone license operation serves both Texans and
non-residents, enabling hunters and anglers to buy licenses by phone
using a major credit card. Call center hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday — Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
A license confirmation number is issued at the time of purchase for
online and phone orders, and the physical license is mailed separately.
Confirmation numbers will verify that a license has been purchased but
will not allow hunters to take fish or wildlife that requires a tag. A
$5 convenience fee is charged for ordering online or by phone.
Wherever licenses are sold, several other items for the 2005-06
season are also available, including Annual Public Hunting Permits and
entries in Big Time Texas Hunts drawings.
The Big Time Texas Hunts program offers the opportunity to win one
or more guided hunts with food and lodging provided. Proceeds are
dedicated to providing more public hunting opportunities and funding
wildlife conservation and/or research programs in Texas. Entries in the
Big Time Texas Hunts drawings are $10 each. There is no limit to the
number of entries an individual may purchase, and entries may be
purchased as gifts for others. Purchasers must be 17 years old or
older. Information about the Big Time Texas Hunts and an entry form is
available at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/bigtime/.
The entry deadline on all categories is midnight Nov. 5. Entries may
be purchased year-round, but entries received after the deadline will
be entered in the drawing for the following year.
The $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit allows hunters access to about
one million acres of public hunting lands, including land leased
exclusively for hunting dove, pheasant, waterfowl and other small game.
Youth younger than age 17 may hunt on public hunting lands without the
permit if they have the $6 Special Resident Hunting license and are
hunting with a permitted adult. A Public Hunting Lands map booklet and
supplement of dove lease maps will be mailed within a week of purchase
of the permit at retail outlets; however, the map booklet and
supplement can be obtained immediately by purchasing the permit at a
TPWD law enforcement office.
– Lake Mohave
