TPWD Commissioners Propose Youth Rifle Season for the Month of October

Hot4huntin · 11-05-2008, 04:08 PM

At today's TPWD Commissioners meeting the original proposed change to the regulations was as follows:

Quote:

Extend the early youth only season by five days and the late youth-only season by 12 days in selected counties to run concurrently with late antlerless and spike seasons. The intent of the proposal is to allow adults and children to hunt together during different special seasons.

Commissioner Peter Holt's final proposal was to extend Youth Rifle Season for the entire month of October up until the opening of General Season. Please watch for updates from the LSBA and in email newsletters. If I do not have your email address, please furnish it to me at denakana@gmail.com.

The LSBA would also like to hear your opinions on the matter. If you are not a member, it is time to join now!

hillcountryhunter · 11-05-2008, 04:13 PM

Once agian trying to encroach on the "archery only season." A youth hunter can hunt right now during archery season with a bow as the minimum draw weight has been removed.

txhunter · 11-05-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillcountryhunter

Once agian trying to encroach on the "archery only season." A youth hunter can hunt right now during archery season with a bow as the minimum draw weight has been removed.

I agree 100%. I don't know why there is even a youth season. They can hunt from the beginning of October until January. With no minimum draw weight, there is nothing stopping our youth from bowhunting during October now. This just makes no sense at all to me.

LostHawg · 11-05-2008, 09:16 PM

No

The last time they just wanted the weekends, now the whole month?

No

fatman · 11-06-2008, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txhunter

I agree 100%. I don't know why there is even a youth season. They can hunt from the beginning of October until January. With no minimum draw weight, there is nothing stopping our youth from hunting during October now. This just makes no sense at all to me.

I agree. What's the point? Why do they want to do this in the first place?

Bweger · 11-06-2008, 10:54 AM

No with a capital N. Even if a kid isnt a bow hunter they still have 2 full months or more to hunt with a rifle.

tinman · 11-06-2008, 03:55 PM

How 'bout an online opinion poll on this issue?

Ooops...almost forgot...add one more "no" to the list.

My kids don't need a "special youth season" to get to go hunting with me.

txhunter · 11-06-2008, 04:28 PM

There is your poll on the homepage of the LSBA website.

www.lonestarbowhunter.com

Beleg · 11-06-2008, 07:19 PM

This is an issue where we need to rally the membership and make sure our voices are loud and clear at every hearing TPWD holds.

Tomme · 11-06-2008, 09:42 PM

Make mine a no too.

Parks and Wildlife offices across the states are trying very hard to "recruit" more youth into hunting as they are worried about declining hunting numbers.

As all of you know there is no lack of hunting opportunities in Texas for youth. At least not in terms of time to hunt. In many counties in S Texas the General (rifle) season runs from Nov 1 - Feb 1 (last two weeks are doe and spike).

In addition, there is the youth rifle weekend in October and didn't they add the 27-31 of October this year as well? As has also been noted with no minimum on draw limit very young kids can hunt with a bow and of course large ranches with MLD permits can also hunt rifle anytime.

This is a blatant attempt to destroy the archery season. I want a petition to carry to Tejas Archery and Clydes Archery shop. I also want to know when the public hearings are and I WILL GO TO AUSTIN TO TALK AT THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ONE.

Please post that day and those of you working please plan on taking a vacation day. This one is worth it.

I think we should also look for sympathetic sports writers, write the Governor and email Parks and Wildlife.

Tomme · 11-06-2008, 10:04 PM

Got me so upset I emailed Parks and Wildlife. The commissioners are a body in and of themselves, but if enough is said to Parks and Wildlife it will be reported to them.

If you email, keep it polite but make it clear that you oppose this.

BearOmni · 11-07-2008, 04:20 AM

I too am opposed to this.
If any of you plan to speak at a hearing, please be prepared.

"If" this is picked up by a reporter...news print or outdoor mags....the headline will say ......LSBA opposes youth hunting season..........

If you are at a hearing you will be asked by a commissioner why you are trying to stop kids from hunting. Why you feel like kids should not have a special time where there is no competition from adult hunters.

The LSBA EC needs to get its ducks in a row, and have printed and researched talking points. You must anticipate questions and be ready with solid answers. These people will not ask a question they dont already know the answer to, so if you cant answer a question THEY will, and we probably dont want to hear their answer.

All members who attend these hearings need to be breifed on talking points and rebuttles even if they dont plan on speaking. You never know who will walk up and ask a question before or after a meeting. You may think its just another guy, only later to find out it was a reporter who will quote the response of "a member of the LSBA stated.....". Even though you thought you were just making small talk with a fellow hunter.

I can not stress enough that ALL members who plan to attend need to be briefed to a level that THEY could do the talking for the group, even if they have absolutly no plan to speak.

Good luck and if I can be of any assistance please feel free to PM or email me.

Tomme · 11-07-2008, 09:31 AM

Bear I agree with all you say. I also think that other than the President or other officially chosen voices that anyone who speaks should make it clear that they are representing only themselves or their club, friends, etc.

At most of these meetings you are only alloted a short time frame (like 2 or three minutes). They have a light system with a green light, yellow and red. When it hits red you are done.

It's sometimes worthwhile to have a written statement which you read. It keeps you on track and allows you to cram in more points in the short time frame.

When I was President in 2000 we managed to defeat a similar proposal for youth rifle hunts on every weekend in October.

It's worth hammering that

A. We personally and as an organization support youth hunting.

B. That there are plenty of opportunities in terms of hunting seasons for youth to hunt already and that this is not needed to create hunting opportunities.

C. That this would restrict or limit hunting opportunities for many hunters in the state who hunt on small acreages.

That last point needs to be made. I don't believe that any commissioner has spent the majority of his hunting life hunting on 300 acres or less with five other hunters. If you have a large high fenced lease of several thousand acres, this is not a big deal. For Mr. average Joe Plumber type of guy this will really mess up the season.

LostHawg · 11-07-2008, 01:22 PM

1.) What Tomme said

2.) What Tomme said

3.) What Tomme said

Did I miss anything.....?

Videographer · 11-07-2008, 03:18 PM

Well if we can't win "against" this battle I guess we gotta keep popping out kids so we can use this time legally.