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Change in hunting regulations in Texas, including squirrel season

AUSTIN — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved hunting regulations for the 2021-22 season at its public meeting held online March 25.

Hunters will see some changes this fall, including the elimination of the experimental pronghorn season in the northern Panhandle and the extension of the general pronghorn season from 9 to 16 days statewide, and the addition of two days of opportunity to hunting in the special white wing pigeon Days within the South Zone of the Pigeon.

The TPW Commission has adopted the following amendments and clarifications to the 2021-22 State Hunting Proclamation:

  • Add crossbow to definition of legal archery equipment
  • Eliminate the ban on tracking injured deer with dogs in Angelina, Hardin, Nacogdoches, Orange, Shelby, and Tyler counties; Also, allow no more than two leashed dogs to track injured deer in Jasper, Newton, Sabine, and San Augustine counties.
  • Eliminate Experimental Pronghorn Season in Northern Panhandle
  • Extend the general pronghorn season by 9 to 16 days statewide
  • Close Panola County to the eastern turkey hunting season during the spring of 2022
  • Implement mandatory reporting for spring turkey hunts (April 1-30) in “Western 1 Gobbler” counties in south-central Texas in 2022
  • Add two days of hunting opportunity at the White-winged Pigeon Special Days within the Southern Pigeon Zone
  • Set season dates and daily bag limits for all migratory bird hunting seasons
  • Modify the definition of muzzleloader to clarify that only the bullet or shell and powder should be loaded through the muzzle.
  • Chachalacas opening day modified to coincide with quail season
  • Align spring and fall wild turkey hunting seasons with uniform boundaries of north and south zones along Highway 90 beginning in fall 2021
  • Allow squirrel hunting statewide by opening the remaining closed counties to a year-round hunting season. Traditional East Texas squirrel season, May 1-31 and October 1-last Sunday in February remains unchanged

Hunters heading out into the field in the upcoming season should take note of these changes and follow all established rules for species, marking, bag limits, counties, season dates, and means and methods.

Hunters can refer to the online version of the Outdoor Annual for complete and up-to-date regulations. Information currently in the online version of the Outdoor Annual reflects information from last season. Information for the 2021-22 season will not be online until mid-August as per usual practice.

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Tennessee Free Hunting Day and Squirrel Hunting Season Begins Saturday

On Saturday, all Tennessee residents will be able to hunt squirrels without a license.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — August deer hunting season is almost here, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is ramping up the excitement by hosting a statewide Free Hunting Day on Saturday during the opening day of the deer season. summer squirrel hunt.

To celebrate opening day, hunters across the state will help others enjoy the experience for free.

“Free Hunt Day is an event offered annually by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in hopes of increasing interest in hunting. Squirrel hunting is one of Tennessee’s oldest and most favorite traditions. The day serves as an excellent opportunity to experience the enjoyment of sport,” the TWRA said.

On Saturday, August 22, all Tennessee residents will be able to hunt without a license or permits from the WMA. However, hunter education requirements are not waived, so individuals born on or after January 1, 1969 must still have successfully completed a hunter education course.

Hunters can catch up to 10 squirrels per day from the opening day of the squirrel season through February 28, 2021. Each hunting day begins one-half hour before sunrise and ends one-half hour after sunset.

Along with squirrels, year-round species such as armadillos, beavers, coyotes, groundhogs, and striped skunks are open for hunting.

Hunters are asked to check information for particular wildlife management areas in the 2020-21 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide and should always request permission to hunt on private land.

The August antler deer hunting season occurs August 28-30 and is limited to private land and archery only outside of the CWD Unit in West Tennessee.

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The best time to upgrade your bow

Let’s forget the arguments for and against buying a new bow. Instead, let’s say you’ve decided that this year is the year you’re going to trade in the old gear for something new.

Since bow makers have been engaged in a war of who can release it first for about a decade now, newer models have already been available for months. By March, a full list of new rigs hit the pro shops, and you’ve likely consumed some of the hype surrounding the latest releases. The two questions that remain are which bow to select and when to buy it.

The former is fodder for a separate article, given the subjectivity of the final choice. The latter is not. In most cases, the sooner you can purchase a bow, the better.

Hit the ground crawling
The Jace Bauserman firm has been featured in dozens of hunting publications and is as interested in bows and bow setups as anyone I have ever met. He has tuned hundreds of bows in his lifetime and is almost religious about the setup, shooting and shooting processes.

“In my opinion, modern bows are almost perfect,” Bauserman said. “The constructions, the designs, are wonderful. But people think that because of that, they can buy a new bow and in a week or two be able to shoot tight groups at 100 yards. It doesn’t work that way.

Bauserman advises taking your time with a new bow instead. “For the first couple of weeks, I didn’t push him past 30 yards,” he said. “It can be a bit boring, but I want to get a feel for the bow while shooting as many arrows as possible.”

This is a good tip because it allows you to do two things at the same time. The first is that you will become familiar with the feel of the new bow. From the grip to the draw cycle to the way the bow is held at its maximum, everything will be a little different from your last bow. In addition, you will be getting used to your new equipment.

Many manufacturers recommend at least 500 shots as a minimum break-in period. This allows the strings, cables, limbs, and cams to settle. Although materials and designs are light years from where they were a decade ago, this adaptation period is still necessary.

This is also why many hunters find that the honeymoon is over with their new bow after a month or two, especially if they think the fitting process is a one-time deal. it’s not. Often new teams will start to show a bit of clumsiness in arrow flight, or just plain accuracy, after a couple of hundred arrows. This usually requires a little tune-up, but if you want some broadhead flight later on then it’s a must.

Double distance practice and peaceful pro shops
Bauserman loves to hunt whitetails, but he lives in Colorado and spends much of his season hunting elk, mule deer and antelope. His average shot in the western game is farther than the average shot in the trees in the east. Because of this, he works towards a double range target shooting strategy.

“Every year I shoot enough arrows to feel really safe at twice the distance I plan to shoot a live animal,” Bauserman said. “That takes a lot of time and a lot of practice sessions. That’s why I always like to put my bows together early in the year.”

Even if you never plan to air one on a distant pronghorn, the idea of ​​practicing at twice your likely shooting distance is a good idea. This can take five or six months of shooting, which, if you have a calendar handy, is about what you have left before the fall hunting seasons start, if you buy a bow in March.

Scheduling a new bow purchase around March does more than provide enough time to get really good before the new season. It also allows time to get professional help.

I have some friends who work in archery shops, and they always have some wild work stories in August. It also seems like they’re one stupid question away from breaking up anytime at the end of the summer.

Spring is a different story. Now is the right time to upgrade if you want the most attentive customer service and a convenient buying and setup experience. This gives you the best chance of not only buying the perfect bow for your needs, but also working with a professional to make sure it’s tuned and readjusted as often as needed. That’s important if you don’t have a bow press and the knowledge to work on bows to address tuning issues.

You probably don’t know it, and that’s okay: help is available, and new equipment too. If you’ve decided this is the year for an upgrade, don’t delay. It’s time to gear up and shoot because the season will be here before you know it.

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New regulations will allow Sunday hunters to target small game

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Squirrels are still available to Arkansas hunters

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Photo courtesy of the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission.
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LITTLE ROCK – What’s a hunter to do? January is running out. Deer season is over, except for a handful of bowhunters looking for a last chance tag. Duck season is also beginning its swan song for the year, and turkey season is still months away.

This is a tip that many Arkansans already know. Squirrel and rabbit hunters have the forest practically to themselves from now until the end of February. Squirrel and rabbit seasons are open, and there is good hunting throughout the state. The daily bag limit for squirrels is 12, so reaching your limit is an all-day affair, even on the best of days.

Photo courtesy of the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission.

Both rabbit and squirrel populations are good in most of Arkansas, and this year should be a bumper year for bushtail hunters. The mild winter has prevented many natural die-offs, and last year’s explosive acorn harvest in much of the state should ensure plenty of chipmunks hopping in the treetops this season. Combine this with the relatively low number of squirrel hunters visiting the woods, as bushy-tailed hunting has fallen out of favor with deer and duck hunting and you have the ingredients for excellent hunting on public land with little chance of crowding. .
Almost all of the wildlife management areas managed by the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission are open during the season dates throughout the state. A quick reference to the current Arkansas Hunting Guide or a visit to the “Where to Hunt” section of AGFC.com will guide you.

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Many squirrel hunters like to hunt in late January and February for another reason. The snakes, which can cause hunters some concern in September and October, are generally not around during the winter, so hunters don’t have to keep one eye on the ground in front of them and the other eye looking up into the treetops. trees.

Photo courtesy of the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission.

Long range shots are often required for late-season squirrel hunting, as most trees in the forest have long since lost their leaves. A hunter with a keen eye can see squirrels jumping in the treetops for 100 meters or more. That open sight also makes it easier for the squirrel to notice a hunter trying to stalk within shotgun range, making the rimfire rifle the tool of choice for most hunters this time of year. Many rimfire cartridges have been introduced over the years, and while some have definitely been favored by some hunters, the .22 Long Rifle is still the standard. It is often the first firearm a young hunter receives, and is a perfect fit for late winter hunts.

If a hunter chooses to go with a shotgun, a 12 or 20 gauge with brass cartridges loaded with lead will not. 4 shots will give you a little more distance to reach the treetops in mature hardwoods. Lead shot is allowed for squirrel hunting in most WMAs, but hunters should be careful to check the regulations for the specific area they will be hunting. Many national wildlife refuges require the use of non-toxic shot, regardless of the species of game being pursued.

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Hunters raise funds for PA Wounded Warriors | News, Sports, Jobs

Hunters have their squirrels weighed down after the morning hunt during the 3rd Annual Wallis Run Rod and Gun Club Squirrel Hunt. Dozens of teams competed in the hunt. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Hunters warm up by the fire after weighing their squirrels after the morning hunt during the 3rd Annual Wallis Run Rod and Gun Club’s Squirrel Hunt. Dozens of teams competed in the hunt. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Awards sit on a table waiting to be handed out during the 3rd Annual Wallis Run Rod and Gun Club’s Squirrel Hunt. Dozens of teams competed in the hunt. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Hunters have a hot pulled pork lunch after having their squirrels weighed after the morning hunt during the 3rd Annual Wallis Run Rod and Gun Club Squirrel Hunt. Dozens of teams competed in the hunt. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Early Saturday afternoon, 51 teams of squirrel hunters returned to the Wallis Run Rod and Gun club in Trout Run after the morning hunt. Teams of two hunters stood in a long line by a roaring fire to weigh their winnings. Some hunters returned empty-handed and others brought nearly a dozen gray, black and red squirrels to be weighed. The event organizers began work before dawn that morning to prepare breakfast and then lunch for the hunters. This was the club’s third annual event, held in support of the Wounded Warriors of Pennsylvania. Fifty percent of the proceeds went to support that charity. In total, the hunters were able to raise $6,000. Two wounded warriors participated in the event: Josh Rockwell of Montoursville and Chris Boyer of Montgomery. Both were victims of improvised explosive devices.

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Video: Turkey Red Dot Points of Interest at Jani Gear Shed

Turkey hunting is my number one favorite activity in the woods. While hunting elk or bighorn sheep obviously represents a highlight of the hunting experience, it also involves a lot of effort and stress. Not so much with the gobblers. In the spring season, the weather is nice, the countryside peaceful, the vegetation lush, and if you miss one chance, there’s bound to be another on the next ridge.

Speaking of turkeys, I love hunting them but I hate losing them. It happens to everyone because opportunities often come quickly and unpredictably. And, if a big tom pounding in your face doesn’t get your heart pounding, you should probably see a cardiologist.

When gobbler rush strikes, you can send shots way too high on that big red head. That is a product of not lowering the weapon: welding the cheek to the butt, leveling the ramp, vertically and horizontally aligning the front and rear sights. A few years ago, I finally realized what many hardened turkey hunters have known for a long time: red dot sights eliminate that possibility and help target shooting much more reliably than iron sights.

Wherever the red dot points in the crosshairs, that’s where the charge will hit. Even if you’re half crouching and contorting your body around a tree, placing the dot in the lower left corner of the sight window, if you’re on target, the pellets will be too. That’s why I switched to a red dot and haven’t looked back.

I also love the precision and adjustability of a red dot. If you’re using regular open sights and have a load and choke combination that shoots high and to the left at 30 yards, for example, without any adjustment, you’ll have a hard time compensating for where the shot will hit. With a red dot, it has all the adjustability of a rifle scope. If you have 6 inches left at 30 yards, you can easily make windage adjustments and line up your pattern. That accuracy gives me more confidence every time I pull the trigger on my 12-gauge Weatherby.

I started with the Vortex Venom and now I’m using the new Vortex Sparc Solar. It is a piece of high-tech equipment. While the small solar panel on top doesn’t charge the battery, it does extend battery life. Also, if it gets enough ambient light, the solar panel can power the red dot on its own. Only in low light conditions will it use the battery. And that CR22 battery can last up to 150,000 hours, five times longer than a standard red dot.

The point on the Solar Sparc also activates with movement. If you leave your shotgun for 14 hours, the red dot will turn off automatically. However, once you pick it up again, it turns back on, with the same level of illumination as you left it.

If you want to get into the big leagues of tip gobblers, you need a red dot on your gun. You can learn more on the Vortex website or grab your own now from the MeatEater Store.

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Fish and Game officials remind recreational shooters that targeting protected non-game birds and protected ground squirrels is illegal

The temperatures are starting to rise and the days are long, and that’s good news for recreational shooters looking to get out of the city limits to shoot. Summer is a popular season for recreational shooters statewide, but it’s also a critical time of year for some non-game bird species that nest or are commonly found in popular shooting areas.

While most recreational hunters and shooters follow the law, Fish and Game enforcement officials remind shooters that they are likely to encounter protected wildlife that is not game, and to pay a high price for pulling the trigger on a protected species.

Two men recently pleaded guilty to illegally capturing a golden eagle (a protected bird of prey) in the Morley Nelson Snake River National Raptor Conservation Area. A judge sentenced both men to two years probation, as well as a two-year ban on hunting and possession of firearms. They each had to pay restitution of more than $3,000.

It is a shooter’s responsibility to know the law, and a good rule of thumb is to shoot at targets rather than wildlife, unless you know exactly what you are shooting at and are doing so legally.

“Illegal shooting of protected non-game wildlife such as owls, hawks, eagles and other birds such as long-billed curlews is a persistent and frequent problem in Idaho,” said Deniz Aygen, observable wildlife biologist at Fish and Game. “Long-billed Curlews and many species of raptors are identified by Fish and Game as most in need of conservation, and unfortunately substantial poaching occurs in areas that were established to aid in their conservation, but are also Widely used by recreational shooters.”

Nearly all non-game bird species found in Idaho are protected and therefore illegal to shoot. There are some non-native species that can be taken year-round with a valid hunting license, including European starlings, Eurasian collared doves, house sparrows and rock pigeons.

Shooting protected birds may seem harmless, but it has been shown to affect some bird populations.

Research published in 2020 shows that shooting at protected non-game species, specifically raptors and long-billed curlews, is more common in areas with high recreational shooter use and occurs more frequently than previously known.

Where was the study conducted? In southwestern Idaho, in the Morley Nelson Snake River National Bird of Prey Conservation Area.
The study suggested that illegal shooting may play a role in the observed long-term declines in the local long-billed curlew population in the conservation area, which had declined from more than 2,000 in the late 1970s to less than 200 in 2014. and now has fewer than 100 curlews.

The study also implied that a small segment of recreational shooters appear to be poaching protected non-game species while target shooting or hunting unprotected non-game species such as ground squirrels.

A note on ground squirrels

This time of year, many shooters target ground squirrels throughout the state. While there are some species of ground squirrels open to hunting, such as the Uinta or the Colombian ground squirrel, some ground squirrels are protected. For example, northern and southern Idaho ground squirrels, rock squirrels, Piute ground squirrels (in eastern Idaho), Merriam ground squirrels, golden-mantled ground squirrels, and Wyoming ground squirrels ( in southwestern Idaho) are all protected species and should not be attacked.

If you can’t tell the difference between an unprotected and a protected species of ground squirrel, or any other wildlife, you shouldn’t target them.

Visit Fish and Game’s Ground Squirrel website for a complete list of protected and unprotected ground squirrel species before you head out.

Individuals can help preserve Idaho’s hunting and fishing heritage by reporting poaching. Make the call if something doesn’t seem right. Contact Citizens Against Poaching at 1-800-632-5999.

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Germantown squirrel hunt controversy

GERMANTOWN, NY (NEWS10)—The Germantown Sportsmen’s Association was founded more than 40 years ago to promote the local interests of hunters interested in hunting, archery and other outdoor pursuits. In recent years, that has included Squirrel Scramble, an activity for young hunters ages 12 to 15.

On February 5, the New York State Humane Association sent a letter to the Germantown Sportsmen’s Association expressing its opposition to the event.

“Their ‘fight’ is part of a pattern of wildlife killing contests across the country and New York State where competitions are held to kill large numbers of coyotes, rabbits, pigeons, snakes, puppies from prairies and others, almost always in the name of charity or “good fun,” although it is also sometimes used for fundraising,” wrote Dr. Harold J. Hovel, president of the New York State Humane Association. “No one is suggesting that squirrels are an endangered species, but killing in the name of fun and family bonding seems counterintuitive and disrespectful to living things.”

The event promotes hunter safety and the rules and regulations for hunting in New York State.

“We strongly believe that our event is legal, a traditional sporting activity and protects the environment from overcrowding,” the Association’s spokesman wrote in a statement. “We also believe that this can be a positive experience for those involved.”

Captured animals that do not stay with the hunter are saved for the Association’s hunt dinner or donated to local wildlife rehabilitators who use them to feed birds of prey and other animals that will be returned to the wild.

In a statement, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) said: “The DEC does not endorse or sponsor hunting contests and requires participants to follow all harvest regulations and adhere to ‘fair pursuit’ rules.”

After many harassing, threatening, and vulgar phone calls to the phone numbers listed on the Squirrel Scramble flyer, the Germantown Sportsmen’s Association decided to hold the event on Saturday, February 27.

According to the spokesman for the Association, the local police will be available for the event.