Former Soil Conservation Service employee and longtime writer Mat Taylor offers his outdoors column for Dispatch Record readers. He can be contacted at (254) 518-2262 or via e-mail at mntaylor@wildblue.net. The regular hunting season closed last Sunday, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff already have briefed the Regulations Committee of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission on possible changes to increase recreational opportunities and further enhance the state’s fish and wildlife resources.

Unlike last year’s regulatory cycle, where wildlife officials made sweeping changes to white-tailed deer seasons and bag limits, the current slate of potential changes is fairly slim. Additional proposals could arise in the next couple of months, however, and a complete suite of staff recommendations will be presented during the Jan. 27 Commission Regulations Committee meeting.

Last year in Lampasas and adjoining counties, the whitetail deer bag limit was increased to five with the addition of one doe. Also, an additional youth-only season was established for two weeks following the regular deer season. And for adult hunters, a special late spike and antlerless only season was approved that runs concurrently with the youth season.

Clayton Wolf, TPWD big game program director, said after last year’s extensive changes, hunters shouldn’t expect substantive alterations to deer season for at least a couple of years.

The Wildlife Division is considering a recommendation to implement an open general season for mule deer in Dawson and Wheeler counties. Dawson County is south of Lubbock on the edge of the Caprock; Wheeler is in the eastern Panhandle. Under current rule, there is no open season for mule deer in these counties.

I worked three years in Dawson County (Lamesa is the county seat) for the USDA Soil Conservation Service and for several more years in the nearby counties of Borden and Scurry. The eastern third of Dawson is below the Caprock and during my time in that county, I never saw a deer.

Therefore, I am glad to learn that mule deer have expanded into this area. Unlike many mountain states, which have declining mule deer numbers, mule deer in Texas have expanded their range over the last 20 years.

On the fishing side, last year saw landmark changes in regulations for harvesting alligator gar. Under the new rules, only one gar a day may be taken.

The regulation review process begins each year after biologists make resource assessments. In addition, the division works with law enforcement to ensure enforceability for the game laws. Also considered are independent recommendations received from various stakeholder groups throughout the year.

During the scoping portion of the process, TPWD gathers public input and weighs the biological implications of each issue before presenting the commission with a set of proposed changes on Jan. 27. Additional discourse is sought during special public meetings in the spring, and the commission at its April 1 meeting determines the final regulation changes.

As I mentioned above, the youthonly season and the late spike and antlerless season run through Jan. 17, so you have another opportunity to get some venison.