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New rules for hunting deer at Pat Mayse Lake
By Darla Barr
Contributor
Published November 5, 2009
It’s that time of year again for the deer hunters to head to the woods in hopes of harvesting their fill of venison and maybe even getting a trophy buck to put on the wall. It’s also that time of year when we game wardens are on the hunt for poachers, busy checking hunters and answering those last minute questions as hunters prepare for their next hunt.
Many of those questions are in reference to the “Doe Days” at Thanksgiving and specifically about hunting on the Corps of Engineers property around Pat Mayse Lake. The regulations state that the take of antlerless deer on Corps of Engineer property shall be by permit only. This includes the “doe days.” The property is still open to the harvest of buck deer, but no “does” may be taken.
And no, there are not any permits issued for this property. There was a change in the provisions for some of the U.S. Forestry Service properties, but this did not include COE property. This may be where some of the confusion has originated, so I hope this clears up any misconceptions.
If you are hunting on private property, you can harvest up to two antlerless deer during the “doe days,” Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 26-29, 2009, if you are in Lamar, Fannin, Red River or Delta counties. Please consult the Outdoor Annual for other counties.
Other questions concerning antler restriction, Hunter Education, cross bows and age for a license have been the most frequently asked, so here are the answers if these have been on your mind as well.
1. Antler Restriction. They do still apply, so a buck must have an inside spread of 13 inches or greater or have at least one unbranched antler. No more than one buck of the 13 inch or greater size per county.
2. Hunter Education. If a person is under 17 years old they can hunt under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter if they are in normal voice command distance. (This does not include two stands with walkie talkies.) Also, if a person is over 17 and has not had hunter education, they may purchase the Hunter Ed deferral when they get their license and hunt with a licensed adult as described above.
3. Cross Bows. Any person may now use a cross bow during the archery only season and the general gun season without having an upper limb disability. However, they are not allowed on the Wildlife Management Area on Pat Mayse Lake.
4. Licenses. All persons, regardless of age, must have a hunting license to legally hunt game animals in Texas. So if you take your 6-year-old hunting, they need to have the youth hunting license. Also, if a person is under 17 years old and are a non-resident, they still can get the same youth hunting license as a resident.
If you hunt on private land you do not own, be sure you have made contact with the owner in the last few months to make certain the land has not changed ownership or been leased, and that you still have permission to hunt. This will help avoid any criminal complaint that you have hunted without consent.
If you see someone taking wildlife illegally or have knowledge of poaching activity, you can report it 24 hours a day at 1-800-792-GAME. You can remain anonymous and request a reward if an arrest is made. Don’t tolerate poaching, it takes away from you or your child the opportunity to make a legal harvest.
If you have any more questions, the Lamar Co. Wardens can be contacted at 903-785-1260, or you can look at the Outdoor Annual on line at www.tpwd.state.tx.us and click on hunting.
Stay safe and Happy Hunting!
Darla Barr is a Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden for Lamar County.
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