They should have never bought the Powderhorn. They used money from the BP spill. That money should have gone back into bay improvement. Something saltwater related. Nothing out there after they killed all the Sambar and axis to help the whitetail. More mosquitoes and rattlesnakes out there than anything else. And as mentioned with other sites TPWD is doing just as bad managing the Powderhorn!

Did they kill all the sambar on the Powderhorn?

TPWD had a long history of mid-management of properties.

There is one that was donated to the state near me in 2011. 3k or so acres.

Still has not been open to the public….

Donated for what purpose? To the state in general?

I’ve done ROW and eminent domain for almost 20 years for the state for the feds, for local govt and utility organizations. In my experience condemning it for 1/2 of what it’s worth couldn’t be further from the truth.

The family decided to gift it to TPWD instead of leave it to heirs or sell it prior to their passing. Its going to be a SNA but nothing much has happened there in the last 13 years.

From what I can tell, its staffed, but its not open to the public

They still have about 2/3rds of the Devils River del Norte shut from the public and its been there for decades. From my experience out there it is likely primarily related to archaeological resources. Chinati mountains is a big area but I think still don't have an easement. Every place has a unique story. The unfortuante reality on the WMA's is that hunting is lower down on the priorities than research in land management and wildlife. The demand outstrips the supply even out west.

That is unfortunate if true and I hope that is not the case. I agree with your sentiment that there are probably more lions than people think in Texas.

And oddly enough based on purported sightings, more black panthers than mountain lions.

everyone on the THF has a cousin's uncle who has seen one

Have you seen the ballot initiatives in CO?


This shows you what they want done in every state. Ultimately they wanted them protected similar to Endangered Species act

https://mountainlion.org/us/texas/

And how exactly are y’all relating that to the non existent issue of canned mountain lion hunting in texas?

There are several that are essentially only open a few weekends per year for draw hunts. They can’t get the most out of what they have already.

Drove by there today.

Looks like they are putting in a paved road into the place.

Only took them 13 years….

Yes I have been following it very closely and donate monthly to Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management. I just would not anticipate Texas ever going the way Colorado has. First off you don't have a ballot initiative process so anything would have to be done through the legislature or at least with their or the governors oversight if it was the wildlife commission. Second Texas is nearly all private where Colorado has public lands with many users and diverse advocates. and Third the Texas governor does not have a husband who is a psychotic animal rights nut job. My stance is that Mountain Lions are a renewable resource that should be managed within the North American Model for Wildlife Management. Nothing more and nothing less. Colorado is moving away from that model. Texas could make them a game animal (like Javelina) require a tag, and start taking harvest reports. In my opinion it would be a good step because then data is being collected and an argument can be made for sustainable management. Right now, that argument cannot be made with a straight face because there is so little data.

My point was that a guy tackling a wolf off a snowmobile, duct taping its mouth shut, taking it to a bar and taking pictures, then taking it out back and shooting it, and then allowing the information to leak onto the internet, was not a problem in Wyoming until it was a problem. The issue I provided was a non existent issue until someone pushed the envelope and it became public.

Do you think having the opportunity for canned hunts for exotics in small pens gives hunters a good reputation to the public at large? Personally I do not.

Do you view it as important that the public at large continue to support the rights of the hunting minority? Personally I do.

Apologies, I did not mean to hijack this post into a discussion on mountain lion management. To each their own.

No, I am not a fan, supporter, or participant of canned or high fenced hunting of any kind...exotic or native animal. And no I’m not jealous of those that do support it. I can afford it, and have even turned down paid for inclusive trips. It’s not that the mt lion hunting is a problem. But hound hunting is a frog in the water pot. It is on the agenda to completely do away with. One of the oldest, purest, traditional ways of hunting. If you’ve ever ran deer with dogs or coon hunted with your grandpa you know what I’m talking about.

Yes they gave out hunts to kill all Sambar and Axis. They didn't succeed because the idiot state employees are too lazy to repair holes in the fences so many escaped. I watch them daily on my property inside the Port O Connor township.