what year was the first bow only season in texas

[lovemylegacy]

Yeah, that was dumb

[Paycheck]

No telling how many arrows I have lost through the woods with my name and address on them.

[hpdrifter]

I think he is correct. I have every bow season stamp in a frame and I just looked and 1975 is the earliest one.

there was a bow season(Oct 1-Oct 31, no matter what days they fell on) before the stamp came about.
there was getting to be so many bowhunters, TPW saw $$$.

[hpdrifter]

https://myparistexas.com/tpwd-celebrates-the-50th-anniversary-of-texas-hunter-education/

"As a result of the Dingell-Hart Amendments in 1970 and 1972 to the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, funds from federal excise taxes on handguns and archery equipment were made available to states to pay for hunter education, along with the other wildlife conservation efforts"

I think they'd have to have justification to include archery equipment into P-R program.

https://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2002/dec/ed_1/March 1974:

September 1967:
"Hunting regulations specify that a person may not have any type of firearm or crossbow with him while hunting with bow and arrow, the bow must be capable of shooting a hunting arrow 130 yards, broadheads must be 7/8-inches but not over 1 ?-inches wide, the archer's name must be affixed permanently in non-water-soluble media to each arrow, and the use of poison, drugs, or explosive arrows is prohibited."

That is an excerpt from TP&W magazine in 1967; the next is 1975
Distance was 130 yards.
If bowhunters had to hunt in General Season, why would you not be allowed to have a firearm?

September 1975:
"The status of bowhunting in Texas today, as determined by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, could best be described as a fast-growing infant about which we know very little."
See any opportunity for $$ there?
I just don't think(and know) that bowhunting wouldn't be a fast growing sport if it were confined to General Season; witness Muzzleloading season. oh, there are people going to MLers, but it just because you can use inlines and scopes. If it were all traditional, there would be scant numbers. If there was a decent season, lot's more would join the show.

[Razorback01]

I’m sure some remember these.

[hpdrifter]

The only reference I have been able to find. 1967 article on bowhunting in Texas. It doesn't give you the start of the season date, but it does establish a bow season in 1967.

https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1568919/m1/7/?q=archery%20season

[7sdad]

Friend of mine has an account on the TPW website and he looked it and found this.

1959.
According to TPWD, first archery season

[47]

I think he is correct. I have every bow season stamp in a frame and I just looked and 1975 is the earliest one.

Nice save: Had one similar up until 94. "Lost" on a moving truck.

I recall this being the first I ever bought.

[7sdad]

.

[Draco]

there was a bow season(Oct 1-Oct 31, no matter what days they fell on) before the stamp came about.
there was getting to be so many bowhunters, TPW saw $$$.

I felt the same, that's why I originally posted 1966 as I have a picture of me hunting on Aransas in 1966. I had no idea that it was 1959 though.

And on the money grab, when they did away with the white wing stamp, they started a turkey stamp, bringing in even more money as almost every one had to have one instead of the few that bought white wing stamps.

[hpdrifter]

I felt the same, that's why I originally posted 1966 as I have a picture of me hunting on Aransas in 1966. I had no idea that it was 1959 though.

And on the money grab, when they did away with the white wing stamp, they started a turkey stamp, bringing in even more money as almost every one had to have one instead of the few that bought white wing stamps.

I knew it was probably prior to 1970, but when???? I had a friend I worked with that he took me under his wing in either 69 or 70. He took me bowhunting while I was still in High school. God rest his soul along with my other bowhunting companions.

Thanks 7sdad for the info.

[hpdrifter]

No telling how many arrows I have lost through the woods with my name and address on them.

I probably lost a whole bunch.........of POC whilst shooting at armadillos while scouting for deer. Didn't have enough sense to get other arrows for different hunting.
They'd snap em off in a heart beat, but so much fun!

[Draco]

I probably lost a whole bunch.........of POC whilst shooting at armadillos while scouting for deer. Didn't have enough sense to get other arrows for different hunting.
They'd snap em off in a heart beat, but so much fun!

I still shoot wood to this day but it's sitka spruce now.

[hpdrifter]

I still shoot wood to this day but it's sitka spruce now.

went to the heavy weights, eh? stronger too, I'll bet. I was gonna make some douglas fir at one time, but never finished up.
I smell Cedar now and it takes me back to early days of my bowhunting.
Fred Bear POC converta-point arrows. with the pink cock feather.and Bear Razorheads.
Graduated to fiberglass and aluminum, but still love the wood arrows.