Here's just one of the many reasons.

Well done video.

Nah. Pronghorn aren't "endangered" in Texas. Simply ridiculous to think that the state of Texas is going to "save" them. Or needs more of our money to do it.

And anyway, if you really wanted to "save" the pronghorn (or any species) you'd deregulate them and let private landowners control every aspect of their lives. Look no further than west Texas elk for a prime example. State had absolutely nothing to do with their re-introduction and propogation. And now we have elk over much of their native west Texas range.

Merriam's elk were in West Texas. They're extinct.

TPWD did reintroduce some elk to west Texas along with private landowner efforts

And the pronghorn antelope population in the trans-pecos is in trouble, that's no secret

Rocky mountain elk are there now. Because private landowners want them. TPWD had NOTHING to do with it.

I will never understand your acting like TPWD is "The Man" keeping you down therancher. All they really mandate is seasons and bag limits. And those are flexible as all getout with MLD programs.

HFs are fine, breeding is fine, any other management technique you like is fine - basically whatever you want to do.

TPWD basically has laws in place to make sure the poaching idiots don't decimate the resources. Beyond that, private landowners can do as they wish to protect/propagate the animals. Your "leave all up to the private landowners" mantra makes zero sense from any perspective. Just gives the idiot landowners (and there are plenty) free reign to decimate the resource to the detriment of everyone.

I get a GW wrote you a ticket one time you thought was stupid. Time to get over it.

they tried to exterminate elk in their WMA's. End of the day elk are here because private landowners see value.

Antelope populations are stable and growing in the panhandle.

Maybe we should stop using panhandle antelope for introduction in TP and make a deal on some of similar latitude

How you think aoudad got there?

Better question why are aoudad still there. Palo duro canyon is a very small isolated area of TX, in grand scheme. The hill country and STX is private introduction.

I wonder how long it will be before they are wiped out via Ariel campaign to make room for Bighorns in palo duro....

Is this in reference to Parks & Wildlife Foundation ?
as a person from Minnesota & resident of for 30+ years, as pappy once said: i got cheap posts , they worth bout ...
As in the original post by Dan, that's just 1 of the many reasons...

As pappy once said: what good is a voice, if left unspoken ....

The state introduced them to the transpecos


With the money that aoudad are bringing now the landowners like having them around.

The bighorn sheep re-introduction is one of the biggest wastes of money imo.

All depends on one's priorities. Desert BH were native, and they are an iconic species. But only 8-10 tags per year and almost no opportunities for the average man to hunt unless he wins the lottery.

Aoudad are non-native, but are huntable and provide more opportunities for more people.

I side with the native species just about every time. I put thousands of $$$ into sheep draws for 13 years (still do) never expecting to ever hunt them. But my thinking was it was largely going to a good cause and maybe my grandkids could one day.....

LO desert sheep tags go for about 85K. That's 17-20 aoudad hunts.

How many bighorn sheep tags are issued a year in Texas? 1 or 2?

No something like 8-12 a year...only 2-3 "state" tags the rest are private.

I am going to hunt Elephant Mountain next week for Desert Bighorn, I feel very fortunate for this opportunity--and will continue to donate to the re introduction of native game.

Ed

Good luck Ed! Please post a pic - hear they are seeing some buster rams on EM.

Hell ya!!! Don't forget to share pics with us!!! Good luck!

Really.. where specifically

Good luck Ed. Dream hunt right there.

Where specifically what?

Where did they stock aoudad?

Yelp

Let me look to find the release sights

Yes sir good luck and I hope you get to take some photos!

No luck yet finding stocking info for aoudad in the trans pecos or caprock canyon.

Nevertheless, I'm not pro-TPWD.

I think they do an ok job sometimes and a horrible job other times. I think they do mis-manage money and resources.

The CWD deal will turn out to be a terrible fiasco because of the witch hunt they created.


By and large, private landowners and organizations are responsible for growth and maintenance of game and fish stocks, not TPWD. Look at the trout program in the Guadalupe. Private individuals did that, then carried on thru trout unlimited by and large. TPWD stocks little 10" trout their below the Dam and in a few places along the river. Now TPWD is in frenzy to remove the small mouth bass that they put in their because they found they cross with and out compete the native Guadalupe bass, a fish that will barley reach 12"-14". Well that costs tax payer money and as a person who fishes the river would much rather catch fiesty small mouth than tiny guad bass

Same goes for bighorn sheep restocking. I'm all for re-establishing them. I don't think tax payer dollars need to be used nor do I think they need to eradicate aoudads on private lands on tax payers dime.

That is awesome!!! I did an internship with TPWD at Elephant Mountain my junior year in college. I was lucky enough to be able to participate in the Bighorn grand slam hunt that year. It was an amazing experience and the guys that work out there are great. That was back in 2006 and some of those guys are gone now but I know Froy, Dale and Clay are still there and they will take good care of you.