I think people can't see what going on on either side of this.... so your correct. Budgets, funding and i think if your on either side of the fence with a hard stance your most likely the least knowledgeable on this matter.

We dont need ATV's all over our forest floor in Texas.

TPWD is a PITA, and could definitely be more efficient, but hey, it's a government department, so I kind of expect that (even if it frustrates me). Some of their rules are understandable, others are ridiculous.

Lets all move to Arkansas.

Hunting, fishing, boat tags, etc were relatively cheap when I first moved to Texas from Louisiana in the early 90's and yes they have gone up a lot, but that being said and as others have said TP&W has a lot to maintain. I don't think Louisiana has gone up no where near as much as Texas but they don't have near as much to keep up with. One of the local DFW tv stations reported on their news several years ago that the population of the state of Texas had increased like double over a given period of time but folks participation in the outdoors hunting and fishing had dropped by half in that same time frame. It's probably worse than that now; but that being said, if you look at the number of people that use the parks and recreational areas and don't hunt or fish, that number is probably a much larger portion of the general population of the state.

why is tpwd out of control?? here is an example. I've known two different families in lockhart tx, which is only 29 miles to austin, and tpwd main offices at smith school road. Everyone in those families gets to drive a state paid tahoe or suburban with tax dollar sponsored fuel to and from work each day. Some of their positions within tpwd are low level office jobs, some are a little higher. This was in the 90's and up until the early 2000's. i don't spend much time around there anymore, and don't keep in touch, so i don't know if the vehicles are still a perk. I was just surprised that they could use state vehicles with not much more than entry level jobs.

Alabama is cheap, free after age 65. Unless you hunt deer over a feeder, then it's an additional fee of $17.55. Want to hunt hogs at night, $17.10. Want to hunt on state public land, $21.55. You get the idea.

Alabama like most states have two divisions. wildlife and fisheries AND state parks. Two budgets. Texas has one division that gets very little funding from the state (yes, they got one time money from the state for the state parks), depending mostly on license fees. Trying to compare different states is apples and oranges.

Arkansas is beautiful country that’s for sure,… when was the last time you heard a touring pro, who experiences fisheries all over the country, praise Arkansas fish and wildlife for being the best in the country? Can’t say I ever have, but anytime they come to Texas it’s all they talk about, how lucky we are to have TPWD. Some of y’all say people have their eyes closed to what’s really going on, I say people hold grudges against TPWD for whatever reason that don’t really have a clue of the overall vision of the department. For some, it’s simply hatred for any authority or regulatory entity, anti establishment types.
I’m super happy to have TPWD and will gladly continue to pay whatever fees they require me to with a big ole smile on my face.

Yes Sir!

TPWD has no control over the National Forests. Thats the US Forest Service.

I love driving through Arkansas and won't run them down but their fishing is not even close to Texas.

this story sounds like a win for texas the only thing that would make it better if everybody that didnt like to live here would leave an take a person from california with them.

Tell me… Where in Texas can you go to catch a 24” brown trout? Not all fishing is black bass fishing. There are several lakes in Arkansas that you can catch striped bass as long as your leg. There’s maybe one in Texas that will compete. Not all fishing is black bass fishing. I am a Texan, born and raised. I love to fly fish, too, for many different species of fish. The stream / bank access in Arkansas is 10X better than it is in Texas.

I don’t hunt anymore, but I buy a Super Combo license every year. I know where my money goes, and I don’t have a problem with it. Main thing I hate to see in Texas is the trash that’s left by lazy azz people that bank fish. It’s disgusting.

JR

Amen JR
We are a trashy state anymore. Roadways, rivers, creeks, lakes where ever. If you don't believe me just take a walk with a trash bag in hand, no make that several. Better order a dumpster to have a place to put all that trash. At least the Bud Lite cans along our roads slowed down. Pretty funny actually how many Bude Lite drinkers were anti whatever. Next time your are out pick up an extra piece of trash.
Thanks