Preserving and Promoting Bowhunting in Texas Since 1974 Lone Star Bowhunters Association December 10, 2008

TWPD Sets Scoping Meeting Concerning Proposed Regulations in Grayson County and Seeks Public Comment article furnished by: Jack Jetton, President  Lone Star Bowhunters Association   The whitetail deer herd in Grayson County has been placed in serious jeopardy due to a proposal before the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to institute firearms hunting for deer in Grayson county.  Grayson County, the only county in Texas in which deer hunting is restricted to archery equipment only, has enjoyed tremendous success in producing mature, top-end trophy whitetails over the past twenty years, in large part as a result of the archery-only restriction.  Bowhunters across the state benefit from the archery-only restriction, particularly including those who draw for a hunt on the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and have the opportunity, for a mere fifty dollars, to harvest the buck of a lifetime.  Nevertheless, the deer herd in Grayson County remains very small, with limited habitat due to heavy land fragmentation and widespread commercial and residential development, and would be placed in serious jeopardy by the implementation of a general firearms hunting season.  The Grayson County archery-hunting experience is unique within the State of Texas, and the hunters of Grayson County are asking for the LSBA's support in preserving such a unique bowhunting heritage.   LSBA members can help in two ways:   First, members can click on the "TPWD Public Comment" link below and express their support for maintaining current regulations in Grayson County.    TPWD Public Comment   Simply click on the above link, scroll down to Item 11, check Disagree Completely, and be sure to fill in the public comment box with your comment.  The Depatment and, in particular, the TPWD Commissioners, do take special note of the public comments on such items.   Second, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will hold a "Public Scoping Meeting" on this issue in Grayson County on Thursday, January 8, 2009, at 7 p.m.  The meeting will be held on the main campus of Grayson County College, at 6101 Grayson Drive (Highway 691), Denison, Texas, in the Center for Workplace Learning on the South End of the college's main campus.  The Center for Workplace Learning is Building 12 on the following map:   Center for Workplace Learning   In addition, here is a more precise map of the Center for Workplace Learning campus area:    Campus Area Map   This is a very important issue that should be of concern to all of the bowhunters across the State of Texas.  Please do what you can to preserve the rich bowhunting heritage in Grayson County.