POLICIES AFFECTING WILDLIFE #8983-E

Introduction State and federal wildlife laws manage the populations of plants and animals in Texas. There is a thin line between policy and law.

Policy works to enforce the law. This means that when policy is violated, the law is violated. Policies are in place because they are less complicated and time-consuming to change than changing the law.

Policies and laws work together to provide sound wildlife management practices. If the habitat is healthy, animals will thrive. Wildlife management works to keep the animal populations in line with the food, cover, and water supply.

Many laws control hunting and fishing. Laws affect both private and commercial activities. Private activity is for sport. Commercial activity is for profit.

Laws prevent the exploitation of all wildlife resources for either private or commercial gain. All laws do not address the taking of game.

Habitat, which includes nesting areas, are also protected by the law. Disturbing the habitat either intentionally or accidentally is unlawful.

Regulations are a part of wildlife policy. They can change from year to year. Changes result from a review of the conditions and populations of wildlife and their habitat.

In Texas, wildlife regulations are implemented based on research done by wildlife biologists. Fishing and hunting regulations are modified each year based on their findings. The biologists report to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, which is the decision- making entity of the state.

History of Wildlife Laws and Policies Laws serve to put society in order. When wildlife law did not exist, species were often hunted to extinction or near extinction.

Wildlife laws now work to protect all species, even predators. Habitat destruction also caused the loss of many wild animals. Activities such as overgrazing, logging, and strip- mining, removed valuable groundcover.

Criminal attack on wildlife and resources was another problem. Poaching is the taking of game illegally, which includes out of season, exceeding limits, and refusing to follow laws regarding taking. Vandals use fire to destroy habitat.

Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to see the need for laws regulating the taking of wildlife. Conservationism began to take hold during his presidency. These laws brought order back to the environment.

The problem with conservation law was that it took time to adopt needed legislation. Often, by the time laws were changed, they did little to fit the existing need. The use of policy seemed a workable solution. Policies address the letter of the law. Laws became more flexible and useful.

Federal laws and policies set the framework for the states. States have the authority to manage their natural resources.

States’ Statue Adoption Procedures An important point is that states govern their natural resources independently. As a result, the laws of one state do not fit the laws of another, although they may overlap.

The ways that states adopt laws are also different.

Texas’ Statue Adoption Procedures The Texas Legislature is in session every two years. This body of government sets Texas Wildlife Law. Laws passed must comply with federal guidelines.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission oversees wildlife policy. It is a nine-member board appointed by the governor. The Commission receives information from wildlife and fisheries biologists.

Wildlife and fisheries biologists study wildlife populations, health, impact, and habitat. They make recommendations and report to the Commission. Once policy is set, it becomes the game wardens responsibility to enforce the policies and laws.

Areas Affected By Texas Wildlife Policy Two groups of recreational activities are consumptive and non-consumptive. Wildlife policy controls both consumptive and non-consumptive activities.

Consumptive activities include hunting and fishing. These activities consume a resource. Non-consumptive activities enjoy the resource without taking from it. These activities would include hiking and photography.

Commercial trade allows for profit. Hunting, fishing, and camping activities provide the opportunity for income. Sales of equipment and supplies to the outdoor enthusiast also generate a source of income. The wildlife itself can be treated as a commodity. With proper permits, a person can breed, manage, and sell wildlife.

Not all wildlife is on state or federal lands. Ninety-six percent of Texas land is privately owned. Policies set by the Commission affect all wildlife.

Commission control does not have boundaries. All persons owning land must abide by wildlife policy.

Ownership of land does not give the owner total control of the land. In some cases, it may be necessary to receive permitting to clear, drill, or build on land. When taking native game, the landowner must abide by all wildlife laws.

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