T P & W Is Reaching Out For Help

[Codie]

I may get flamed for this but I say that the state should charge an appropriate fee for the services that the "state employed" biologist perform on MLD land. I will gladly throw a few extra dollars toward the state parks just to keep them around.

I would not have a problem with that at all - I have always wondered why the state did not get some type of compensation from the landowner for their biologist employees services

[Codie]

As a former employee, I can say with some degree of knowledge that the state parks are wonderful places and we need to conserve them for the future. Not everyone can afford a place of their own on which to recreate and it's nice to have public lands to use. The State Parks have always been under funded and probably will never be funded adequately.

There is indeed a ton of waste at TPWD, with lots of middle-management positions that SHOULD have gone away this year with the budget cuts still remaining intact. TPWD has a tendency to protect its management structure, even at the expense of the people working in the parks. Much of what happens in Austin should be sent out to the regions. The Austin part of TPWD is a MESS and a huge money hole... Boy could I get into that! The folks that manage the parks (field) do a great job with the little resources they have.

The Infrastructure Division should just go away completely. The cost associated with Infrastructure could be saved by going with local construction companies for design, build, and maintenance. I have seen foot bridges designed by Infrastructure (TPWD) that ANY contractor could build for $5,000-10,000 end up costing the state over $50,000 once TPWD Infrastructure gets involved.
State Parks management is a little better, but there are still a lot of money holes that should be filled.

Either way, we need land that the public can access for recreational purposes so please give to your local state, local, or federal parks.

Todd

Spot on -

[nimrod]

Just hope if you donate 5 dollars that 2.50 doesn't go to budget and the other 2.50 in someones pocket

[backspinnn]

I think the best thing they could do would be to sell beer and have free entry like the Oklahoma State Parks. TX state parks have a very hostile stance on alcohol with the no public consumption signs everywhere. Having no day use entry fees would probably create more traffic and camping fees in the park. Right now they charge $5 per person per day plus $25 per night for a RV site, unless you have the parks pass you will pay $45 a night for a family of four. I can camp in Oklahoma for $16 a night with no fear of being ticketed for having a beer around the campfire and buy more beer in the campground! Every Texas state park has an entry gate like a private club where you have to pay to enter and get a permit to display. In Oklahoma, you just drive in, have a picnic, hangout, spend money with no drama.

[rubydog]

I would not have a problem with that at all - I have always wondered why the state did not get some type of compensation from the landowner for their biologist employees services

It is because they believe that herd management = bigger better deer = more hunting = more revenue from in and out of state hunters. Unfortunately we can see the trickle down doesn't quite get where it needs to be.
I don't like the ole ''Go MLD and Get A Biologist Free'' thing at all. Rightfully so there should be a fee for that but basically everyone that is appointed to the commission owns MLD land and in affect would be charging themselves. Like they can't afford it.

[rubydog]

I think the best thing they could do would be to sell beer and have free entry like the Oklahoma State Parks. TX state parks have a very hostile stance on alcohol with the no public consumption signs everywhere. Having no day use entry fees would probably create more traffic and camping fees in the park. Right now they charge $5 per person per day plus $25 per night for a RV site, unless you have the parks pass you will pay $45 a night for a family of four. I can camp in Oklahoma for $16 a night with no fear of being ticketed for having a beer around the campfire and buy more beer in the campground! Every Texas state park has an entry gate like a private club where you have to pay to enter and get a permit to display. In Oklahoma, you just drive in, have a picnic, hangout, spend money with no drama.

Alcohol sales would be a huge liability and would cost a pretty penny to insure. In this age of sue happy people that might not be a prudent choice.

[backspinnn]

Alcohol sales would be a huge liability and would cost a pretty penny to insure. In this age of sue happy people that might not be a prudent choice.

If that is true, how does OK afford it? or any corner store? I am not talking about a bar selling booze just a store with six packs and camper centric supplies. The national parks sell beer too. They scalp you big time at the Grand Canyon, but the price beats driving into town.

[fizzle]

You need my address??

Now that's funny stuff right there

[Draco]

If the legislators would let TPWD keep all the added tax revenue off of hunting and fishing equipment like it was set up in the beginning, then they wouldn't have any problem.

[justincorbell]

maybe they should run a reprieve on the lifetime hunting/fishing license price jack....for a limited time to entice people to get in on the action while the getting is good....

Wish i woulda got mine a couple years ago, got it this yr for 1800 but im 24 and hopefully ill get my moneys worth out of it lol

[Tmag]

Just a little less than a year ago TPWD bought 18,000 acres next to the existing 67,000 acre Amistad National Recreation Area for $13 million. The story says $10.1 million were from private donations, $2.7 million in state funds, and $1.7 mill in federal funds. Seems like $12.8 million would have gone a long way to help the shortfall. 85,000 acres is a big place.

[quackerback]

I think the best thing they could do would be to sell beer and have free entry like the Oklahoma State Parks. TX state parks have a very hostile stance on alcohol with the no public consumption signs everywhere. Having no day use entry fees would probably create more traffic and camping fees in the park. Right now they charge $5 per person per day plus $25 per night for a RV site, unless you have the parks pass you will pay $45 a night for a family of four. I can camp in Oklahoma for $16 a night with no fear of being ticketed for having a beer around the campfire and buy more beer in the campground! Every Texas state park has an entry gate like a private club where you have to pay to enter and get a permit to display. In Oklahoma, you just drive in, have a picnic, hangout, spend money with no drama.

how would making it free to get in make more money? i am buying a new camper this year just to take my kids to the parks. $45 a night is cheap entertainment to me. my kids love it when we go to the lake by our house.

[Legdog]

Who wants to camp without a campfire? The problem is much bigger than misapplied government funding and beaurocracy.

[rubydog]

If that is true, how does OK afford it? or any corner store? I am not talking about a bar selling booze just a store with six packs and camper centric supplies. The national parks sell beer too. They scalp you big time at the Grand Canyon, but the price beats driving into town.

In Oklahoma they sell 3/2 beer and it isn't as big of a liabilty issue. As for the national parks, well I think you answered your own question there. Next time while your thinking trip, you might think byob before ya go. It is cheaper that way. Not a problem I have since beer or booze doesn't accompany me on my outings.

[rubydog]

Just a little less than a year ago TPWD bought 18,000 acres next to the existing 67,000 acre Amistad National Recreation Area for $13 million. The story says $10.1 million were from private donations, $2.7 million in state funds, and $1.7 mill in federal funds. Seems like $12.8 million would have gone a long way to help the shortfall. 85,000 acres is a big place.

I think they got hosed at $555 per acre for that land...