The ability to manage land in difficult times, through extended dry periods and economic downturns, is the hallmark of a good land steward. This year’s recipients of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Lone Star Land Steward Awards are prime examples.

Since 2006, Dallas Safari Club (DSC) has granted more than $750,000 in funding for wildlife and habitat conservation, youth and public education, and hunter advocacy programs within the state of Texas.

The 621 Pheasants Forever chapters, 103 Quail Forever chapters and 125,000 members of "The Habitat Organization" nationwide completed over 22,000 wildlife habitat projects in 2009, benefitting over 500,000 acres for pheasants, quail and other wildlife. This includes over 8,300 acres of land acquired and then opened to public hunting and recreation as state-managed wildlife areas or federal Waterfowl Production Areas.

Quail Unlimited Chapters from across the state of Texas announced that they have unilaterally resigned from Quail Unlimited following prolonged issues with the national organization based in Edgefield, South Carolina.

The Young Life Austin West Deer Tournament is back and registration is open now for the 2009 - 2010 season.  Remember, you must register before you hunt.  We've made some exciting changes, so visit the website today and register!

James Hallum of Brownwood was in the field on opening day on Tuesday for the 65th consecutive year.  Although the 75-year-old gentleman doesn't remember how many birds he killed when he first hunted on opening day in 1944, Steve Knight of the Tyler Morning Telegraph says Hallum on Tuesday brought home a half-dozen birds from his morning hunt.

Public Hunting and Access to Texas Parks and Wildlife Lands for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has recently been updated. The Drawing booklet is online in PDF form, and the statistics on hunter success from last year are posted.