Texas Parks and Wildlife proposes changes to hunting, fishing regulations

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is looking for opinions and comments on recent proposals for new hunting and fishing regulations.

Public hearings will be held over the next few weeks in several cities in the area to gauge public sentiment on 34 proposed amendments to the state's hunting and fishing regulations.

A hearing will be held tomorrow (Feb. 26) in Lufkin at the District Courtroom at 215 E. Lufkin Ave.

One more meeting will be held in the surrounding area on March 11 in Henderson at the Extension Office Meeting Room, located at 115 E. Fordall.

Both meetings will begin at 7 p.m.

For those unable to attend the meetings, a public comment section can be found on the TPWD website: www. tpwd.state.tx.us. The link is located under the "Hot Topics" section, found on the right side of the homepage.

Two specific changes have been proposed that will affect Cherokee County.

The first proposal is for an increase in time for antlerless deer hunting, or "doe days" from four days to 30 days. This change would also go into effect for Houston County.

The proposal will also increase the number of "doe days" for Anderson County from none to four.

The second proposal would lengthen the existing muzzleloader season by five days and would allow the harvest of any buck and antlerless deer without permits, as long as the county has "doe days" during the general season.

In addition to Cherokee, this change would also affect several counties in East Texas, including Bowie, Camp, Cass, Gregg, Houston, Morris, Nacogdoches, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby and Upshur Counties.

TPWD also proposed adding an additional weekend and 10 additional weekdays in January for youth-only deer season. If accepted, the proposal would add Jan. 4-15, 2010 as additional youth-only days for next season.

Public comment may also be made by writing to Public Comment, TPWD, 4200 Smith School Rd., Austin, TX 78744; by calling toll free at 800-792- 1112 or by email at robert. mcdonald@tpwd.state.tx.us.

The public comment period runs through March 25.

TPWD recommends adjustments to hunting and fishing rules annually, a process that includes gathering public comment. The final decision will be made on March 26.

For more information and for a detailed listing of proposals and affected counties, please visit www.thecherokeean. com.