HUNTING FORECAST: How has drought affected the 
upcoming fall hunting season ... find out on Passport to 
Texas ... 
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PTT from TPWD and the Wildlife Restoration Program

Most of the state has been in the throes of an extended 
drought. And while dry conditions have affected animal 
populations, quality animals remain.
 
"We'll still have a good hunting season; we have carry over of 
wildlife from previous years, but the reproduction in general, 
this year, has not been what we would have hoped for."

Mike Berger is Director of the Wildlife Division at Texas 
Parks and Wildlife. Dry conditions mean less availability 
of food and cover, which translates to lower reproductive 
rates for all species. Nevertheless, deer hunters are 
encouraged to use all their tags.
 
"I want to encourage everyone to take and expanded harvest of 
deer, because the habitat being dry, the habitat is depressed, 
and we need to remove mouths from eating it. And because of 
the low vegetation growth, I think the deer will be more visible, 
and more readily attracted to feeding stations."

Berger adds that an average hunting season in Texas is 
still a good season.

"Having a hunting season is always a good thing, even in a year 
that's not the best year we've ever had. It may be an average year -- 
which is still good -- and being hunting is still better 
than being in the office."

Consult the Outdoor Annual for hunting dates; it's 
available where you buy hunting licenses, or on the TPWD 
website.

That's our show for today ... it's supported by the Wildlife 
Restoration Program ... which provides funding for the 
management and operations of the state's Wildlife 
Management Areas.