re-introducing predators to TX wma's

[texag93]

They would have to notify the public about red wolves. They are very simular in appearance to coyotes and would be shot unless hunters were educated and informed about them. I don't see this happening anyway. Most ranchers will shoot them on sight. SSS

[texag93]

Bears have been in TX for a long time, mostly deep east TX and Big Bend area.

[WyoBull]

I had heard bears but not about anything else. HOGs definitely need to be eradicated it is a travesty at this point.

I agree with you Landrover that the pigs need to be hammered hard but unfortunately I don't think that is going to happen. The landowners can't have it both ways. They can't complain about the hogs on one hand while charging $150-$175 per day with a two day minimum while only allowing each hunter to take 2 hogs per day. That seems to be fairly close to what hog hunts are costing these days.
The landowners want the revenue from the hog hunts but won't allow the numbers to be killed to even come close to keeping up with the population growth.

[muddyfuzzy]

it was not my intention to cause a debate about the ethics of hunting predators, if that's your angle then keep your ignornant rants to yourself and don't hijack my thread. i feel that this information is from a reliable source and will investigate it further today with the proper authorities.

it has become clear to me that due to commercial, financial and time constraints that we as hunters and land owners are not winning the war on feral hogs, even more so it seems like we are losing ground. i think the the re-introduction of predators is something that needs to be considered as method to in parallel with agressive hunter management practices. i have seen signage at wma's notifying entrants that there could possibly be black bear sightings in the area and to recognize them as such. i do not know if these are part of a native population or introduced animals but it seems clear the state is posturing in a pro bear manner. i commend them for the introduction of predatory animals and feel that this is a step in the right direction in controlling hogs abound.

i would also understand why this would be done under wraps because it could be a controverial topic. personally i have no issue with it what so ever and think it is part of having a healthy and self sustaining ecosystem.

[ground level]

I would have to see a press release by TPWD before I would believe it. The killing pigs part I could believe, but predator release would get a press release.

Todd

Lots of rumors on the predator released and TPWD is not going to release any predators for feral hog control. Plenty of rumors going around about the feral hog control and releasing predators would be costly, which TPWD does not have to work with nor would any state go to the expense in capturing those species neither.

[Birddogss]

Easy killer don't think anyone is trying to "hijack" the thread....

I just don't see them sneaking wolfs in to east tx. TPWD said they were going to reinterduce bears and aperantly they did awhile back. As far as cougars I wouldn't think they would need to since there are alot in TX already....
I did read that back in the 80's the Feds wanted to release Mexican (gray) Wolves in to southwest Tx and the state said no, so they were released in New Mexico instead....

[BTLowry]

Bunk

Maybe you are not privvy to this info


I doubt the state is catching mountain lions, bears or any other big predators and turning them loose, with the TPWD in a bind for $$$$ this does not make sense (of course I know gov does alot of stuff that does not make sense)

Maybe they are getting those wolves that were supposed to be going to CO and rerouting them to TX

[dhays]

A friend of mine hunted the White Oak Management Land near Mt Pleasant. He said at one of the entrances to the land they had a sign with a picture of a bear and a hog, showing the difference, and saying what the penalty was for shooting a bear. What does that tell you?

[BoneDigger]

A friend of mine hunted the White Oak Management Land near Mt Pleasant. He said at one of the entrances to the land they had a sign with a picture of a bear and a hog, showing the difference, and saying what the penalty was for shooting a bear. What does that tell you?

It tells me that they want you to shoot pigs, but leave any bear you see alone.

Bears do make it into east Texas on occasion, from Arkansas and Louisiana. Seems I remember one being hit by a car on I-30 near Mt. Pleasant a few years back.

Todd

[bowhuntntxn]

The though of releasing bears or wolves to kill just hogs is silly. The predators will eat the most convenient meal available, not just hogs. Bears have been here for a while and with population increases of both bears and humans, contact between the two will and is increasing. So the signs are to hopefully keep,people from shooting bears thinking they are hogs.

Probability of this being true is very low.

[Kingslayer]

A friend of mine hunted the White Oak Management Land near Mt Pleasant. He said at one of the entrances to the land they had a sign with a picture of a bear and a hog, showing the difference, and saying what the penalty was for shooting a bear. What does that tell you?

Don't get caught killing a bear

[Birddogss]

Sent email and called TPWD to see what they say...person on phone said " They have never released Wolves, bears or cougars into east tx" and if they were thinking about it it would be in their news section of the web site...I then asked where the bears that are in east tx came from and she said Arkansas and LA most likely....still waiting to hear back from them on email (wanted to get info from two differant people)

[canny]

The bears did come from LA and AR. They are the LA black bear sub species, which is and endangered species that does not have suitable numbers to capture and release here. As far as the other predators, none of them have been released. However, if it ever happends then its a good thing IMO. Predators are a key player in maintaining the balance of animals in an environment, and the lack of is a major factor in areas prone to overpopulation. Historically these numbers were kept in check by predators, but due to mans fear of them they were hunted heavily to critical and sometimes complete removal from a region.

[Playa]

Lions, bears & wolves, oh my!