Does any one know facts on this? Sam Houston National Forrest, WMA

1. Who are the decision makers who closed the dog season in the forest?

I consulted with my staff and USFS personnel but the field decision was utimately mine. I then forwarded my hunt recommendations up the chain.

2.What were the reasons given by all involved?

The reason was that which I described above...that dogs potentially running deer was not a good thing for the local deer population.

3.Were there any public meetings or public input on this issue?

No. There are 50+ WMAs across TX. I have worked or had responsibilities on 12 of them and have never held public meetings for making harvest recommendations. Additionally, I am not familiar with any such meetings on WMAs across the State. As far as I know all WMAs (except White Oak Creek WMA in northeast TX) prohibit hog dog hunting.

4.How many dog hunters hunted hog in the SHNF last year?

James Scott, US Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer, told me he talked to a total of 3-4 groups of hog dog hunters totaling about 30 individual people. I can only assume that he didn't speak with every person that hunted hogs with dogs last year though.

5.Can you give me some information on "special Permits" that have be given to hog trappers at SHNF.

I believe the US Forest Service does provide trapping agreements through an application process, but this is not part of our public hunting program. I recommend contacting the Sam Houston office for more information on this activity.

I appreciate the opportunity to comment on this matter and hope that I've provided the information you needed. We always struggle with balancing wildlife management decisions, and especially harvest recommendations, with the desires of our constituents. I know that this decision has gotten some folks upset, but extending hog hunting year-round on the Sam Houston NF WMA, and several others in east TX, has been received well by others. Our goal is optimize hunting opportunity while enhancing native wildlife populations, and that is why the decision was made to prohibit hog dog hunting on this WMA.

Thank you.

Bill Adams

TPWD